Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

PRECIS WRITING
Writing a precis means making an intelligent summary of a long passage. To
write a precis one should have a clear understanding of the passage: only then
well one be able to include all the essential points and tips and tricks of essay
examples in the precis.

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Some general considerations :
Learn with shortening in your words, text of written work useful writing tips,

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essential thoughts, ideas or fact on how to write a precis writing format
withpreciswritingexamples.wordpress.com.
It is generally accepted that a precis should be a third of the passage given. If the

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original passage has 300 words, the precis should not be more than 110 words in
length.
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 A precis should be in the language of the precis-writer. The original
passage is not to be reduced in length by just removing unimportant or
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unnecessary sentences and by reproducing the rest as the precis. It should

be a brief gist or summary of the passage expressed in the writer’s own
words.
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 A precis should be full i.e. it should contain all the essential thoughts,
ideas or fact in the original passage. It should not contain repetitions or
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observations that are not relevant to the main theme of the original.
 A precis is always written in Reported Speech. The passage given may be
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a speech made by a person inDirect Speech, but the precis is to be in

Reported Speech and in the Third Person and in the Past tense.
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Techniques of Precis – Writing

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There three kinds of work to be done in producing a clear and successful precis.
They are (1) Reading, (2) Writing and (3) Revision.
Reading
Read the passage carefully
If one reading is not enough to give you a general idea of its meaning, then read it
a second time. As you read, find out the subject or the theme of the passage and
what is said about the subject.

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 Ramandeep Singh

It will be a good thing if you find out the lead or the topic sentence. The lead
sentence will help you to see the subject clearly. It will also help you to think of a
title for the precis example.
Further reading may be necessary at this stage to make sure that the details of the
passage are also understood. Read the passage more slowly this time, even
sentence by sentence, and make sure that everything in the passage is understood.

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If this is not done, it is likely that you will miss something important, especially if
it is expressed by a short phrase or a single word.

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Now comes the process of selection. The writer of the precis writing passages has
to decide what facts or ideas in the passage are essential and what are of
secondary or no importance. Taking the main ideas of the passages as your point

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of reference, it should not be too difficult to write out the important points in the
original in a corner of your writing work sheet.
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Writing
You should first prepare a draft of the precis, keeping in mind, the need to reduce
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he original to one-third its length. The main thoughts expressed in the passage, the
ideas it contains, the opinions presented and the conclusion arrived at should
figure in the rough draft. Unimportant things like the names of people and places
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and dates should not figure in it.

It may so happen that your first draft is too long or that it sounds rather jerky.
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Shorten it if necessary and write out a careful second draft during college
preparation. Sometimes you may need to work out three or even four drafts, but
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with reasonable care and concentration, you should normally succeed in

producing a good precis writing by the second draft.
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Remember that a precis or essay is a connected whole and that it should read
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smoothly and continuously, Get more advice and tips for more study tips for
online education sites.
Revisioin
When you have made your second (or final) draft, carefully revise it before
writing out the fair copy. Look for many mistakes or slips in grammar or spelling
and correct them. Don’t forge to give your precis a title for precis writing
examples.

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

tures of a Good Precis

A good Precis:
is marked by clarity, brevity and precision.

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is not just lifting of the sentences from the original. It should be
written in the precis writer's own words.

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is a miniature version of the original passage.
must have a logical order and be well-knit and well connected.
must have coherence; must use linking devices such as so, therefore,

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and, because further etc. and must follow the
order of ideas of the original.
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must have a title.
is written in reported speech.
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must not contain any details not found in the original.

Do's in a precis :
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Start your précis by highlighting the main idea of the passage and
you should create contextual environment where you can place the
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necessary points. Once the main idea is established in the précis, you can present
the methods, points, facts etc. used by the author of the passage.
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Compress and clarify a lengthy passage, article, or book, while

retaining important concepts, key words, and important
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data.
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Remove what is superfluous and retain the core essence of the work.
Always remember that mentions about history/writing about history
should be advisably done in the past tense.
State the purpose of the research or piece of writing (why was it
important to conduct this research or write on this
topic?)

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 Ramandeep Singh

Don'ts in a précis:
Do not express your own opinion, wish, remark or criticism.
Do not insert any question in your précis. Its significance, if
essential, may be expressed by a statement.
Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
Do not be jerky. This suggests that most probably, you have not

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understood the sense of the passage properly.

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Samples
Sample 1
It is physically impossible for a well-educated, intellectual, or brave man to make
money the chief object of his thoughts just as it is for him to make his dinner the
principal object of them. All healthy people like their dinners, but their dinner is

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not the main object of their lives. So all healthy minded people like making
money ought to like it and enjoy the sensation of winning it; it is something better
than money.

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A good soldier, for instance, mainly wishes to do his fighting well. He is glad of
his pay—very properly so and justly grumbles when you keep him ten years

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without it—till, his main mission of life is to win battles, not to be paid for
winning them. So of clergymen. The clergyman's object is essentially baptize and
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preach not to be paid for preaching. So of doctors. They like fees no doubt—
ought to like them; yet if they are brave and well-educated the entire object to
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their lives is not fees. They on the whole, desire to cure the sick; and if they are
good doctors and the choice were fairly to them, would rather cure their patient
and lose their fee than kill him and get it. And so with all the other brave and
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rightly trained men: their work is first, their fee second—very important always;
but still second.
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The Main Points:

1. Money making is a common attraction in life.
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2. But it cannot be the principal aim of well-educated, intellectual brave persons.

Precis Summary:
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Money-making is a common attraction in life. But it cannot be the principal aim

of well educated, cultured and brave man. A brave soldier prizes honour and
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victory more than his pay. A good clergyman is more interested in the moral
welfare of his people than his returns. A doctor (good) values the care of his
patient far more than his fees. Thus with all the well-educated, intellectual
persons, their work is first, money next.

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 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 2
Home is the young, who known "nothing of the world and who would be forlorn
and sad, if thrown upon it. It is providential, shelter of the weak and
inexperienced, who have to learn as yet to cope with the temptations which lies
outside of it. It is the place of training of those who are not only ignorant, but
have no yet learnt how to learn, and who have to be taught by careful individual

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trail, how to set about profiting by the lessons of teacher. And it is the school of
elementary studies—not of advances, for such studies alone can make master

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minds. Moreover, it is the shrine of our best affections, the bosom of our fondest
recollections, at spell upon our after life, a stay for world weary mind and soul;
wherever we are, till the end comes. Such are attributes or offices of home, and

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like to these, in one or other sense or measure, are the attributes and offices of a
college in a university.
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Precis Summary
Home shelters the young who are weak and unexperienced and unable to face the
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temptations in life. It is a centre of their elementary education and a nursery of

sweet affections and pleasant memories. Its magic lasts for ever. A weary mind
turn to it for rest. Such is the function of a home and in some measure of the
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university.
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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Sample 3
Teaching is the noblest of professions. A teacher has a scared duty to perform. It
is he on whom rests the responsibility of moulding the character of young
children. Apart from developing their intellect, he can inculcate in them qualities
of good citizenship, remaining neat and clean, talking decently and sitting
properly. These virtues are not easy to be imbibed. Only he who himself leads a

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life of simplicity, purity and rigid discipline can successfully cultivate these habits
in his pupils.

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Besides a teacher always remain young. He may grow old in age, but not in spite.
Perpetual contact with budding youths keeps him happy and cheerful. There are
moments when domestic worries weigh heavily on his mind, but the delightful

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company of innocent children makes him overcome his transient moods of
despair.
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Precis Summary
Teaching is the noblest profession. A teacher himself leading a simple, pure and
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disciplined life can mould the character of the young children and make them neat
and good mannered citizens. Besides he remains every young forgetting his own
domestic worries in the constant company of the young.
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 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 4
English education and English language have done immense goods to India,
inspite of their glaring drawbacks. The notions of democracy and self-government
are the born of English education. Those who fought and died for mother India's
freedom were nursed in the cradle of English thought and culture. The West has
made contribution to the East. The history of Europe has fired the hearts of our

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leaders. Our struggle for freedom has been inspired by the struggles for freedom
in England, America and France. If our leaders were ignorant of English and if

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they had not studied this language, how could they have been inspired by these
heroic struggles for freedom in other lands? English, therefore, did us great good
in the past and if properly studied will do immense good in future.

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English is spoken throughout the world. For international contact our comrherce
and trade, for the development of our practical ideas, for the scientific studies,
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English-is indispensable "English is very rich in literature," our own literature has
been made richer by this foreign language. It will really be a fatal day if we
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altogether forget Shakespeare, Milton, Keats and Shaw.

Precis Summary
Notwithstanding its various defects English education has done great good to
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India. The ideas of democracy and self-government are its gifts. Nursed on
English education the Indian leaders were inspired by the Western thought,
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culture and freedom struggles. They fought for and won their motherland's
freedom. Being spoken thought-out the world English is necessary for interna-
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tional contact, trade, commerce and science. English is rich in literature; its
master mind cannot be neglected.
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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Sample 5
When we survey our lives and efforts we soon observe that almost the whole of
our actions and desires are bound up with the existence of other human beings.
We notice that whole nature resembles that of the social animals. We eat food that
others have produced, wear clothes that others have made, live in houses that
others have built. The greater part of our knowledge and beliefs has been passed

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on to us by other people though the medium of a language which others have
created. Without language and mental capacities, we would have been poor

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indeed comparable to higher animals.
We have, therefore, to admit that we owe our principal knowledge over the least
to the fact of living in human society. The individual if left alone from birth

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would remain primitive and beast like in his thoughts and feelings to a degree that
we can hardly imagine. The individual is what he is and has the significance that
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he has, not much in virtue of the individuality, but rather as a member of a great
human community, which directs his material and spiritual existence from the
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cradle to grave.
Precis Summary
Being social animals, human beings have their actions and desires bound up with
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society. In matter of food, clothes, knowledge and belief they are interdependent.
They use language created by others. Without language their mental power would
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not grow. They are superior to beast, because they live in human society. An
individual life left alone from birth would grow utterly beast like. So human
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society and not individuality guides man's material and spiritual existence.
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 Ramandeep Singh

Essay Writing
An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter
what. You may be writing an essay to argue for a particular point of view or to
explain the steps necessary to complete a task.

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Either way, your essay will have the same basic format.
If you follow a few simple steps, you will find that the essay almost writes itself.
You will be responsible only for supplying ideas, which are the important part of

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the essay anyway.

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Organize Your Ideas

The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas about the topic on paper,
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in a moderately organized format. The structure you create here may still change
before the essay is complete, so don't agonize over this.
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Decide whether you prefer the cut-and-dried structure of an outline or a more

flowing structure. If you start one or the other and decide it isn't working for you,
you can always switch later.
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Diagram
1. Begin your diagram with a circle or a horizontal line or whatever shape
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you prefer in the middle of the page.

2. Inside the shape or on the line, write your topic.
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3. From your center shape or line, draw three or four lines out into the page.
Be sure to spread them out.
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4. At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle or horizontal line or
whatever you drew in the center of the page.
5. In each shape or on each line, write the main ideas that you have about
your topic, or the main points that you want to make.
o If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best
arguments.

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

o If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps
that should be followed.
You will probably need to group these into categories.
If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using
Beginning, Middle, and End.
o If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories

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into which your information can be divided.
6. From each of your main ideas, draw three or four lines out into the page.

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7. At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle or horizontal line or
whatever you drew in the center of the page.
8. In each shape or on each line, write the facts or information that support

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that main idea.
When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready
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to continue.
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Outline
1. Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page.
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2. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the left
side of the page.
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3. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have about
your topic, or the main points that you want to make.
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o If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best

arguments.
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o If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps
that should be followed.
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You will probably need to group these into categories.

If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using
Beginning, Middle, and End.
o If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories
into which your information can be divided.
4. Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side of the
page.

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 Ramandeep Singh

5. Next to each letter, write the facts or information that support that main
idea.
When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready
to continue.

Write the Body Paragraphs

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In the body of the essay, all the preparation up to this point comes to fruition. The

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topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued.
Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram or outline will become one
of the body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or

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four body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.
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1. Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form.
If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this:
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Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.

2. Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but
leave four or five lines in between each point.
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3. In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point.
Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion.
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Supporting Point
Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than
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driving.
Elaboration
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Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes.
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Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well.

In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public
transportation.
4. If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph.
This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have a
tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them.

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main
point, you are ready to continue.

Write the Body Paragraphs

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In the body of the essay, all the preparation up to this point comes to fruition. The
topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued.

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Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram or outline will become one
of the body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or
four body paragraphs.

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Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.
1. Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form.
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If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this:
Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.
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2. Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but
leave four or five lines in between each point.
3. In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point.
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Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion.

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Supporting Point
Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than
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driving.
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Elaboration
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Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes.
Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well.
In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public
transportation.
4. If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph.
This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have a
tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them.

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 Ramandeep Singh

Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main
point, you are ready to continue.

Write the Introduction and Conclusion

Your essay lacks only two paragraphs now: the introduction and the conclusion.

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These paragraphs will give the reader a point of entry to and a point of exit from
your essay.

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Introduction
The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her

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an idea of the essay's focus.
1. Begin with an attention grabber.
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The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas:
o Startling information
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This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to

be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact
that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make.
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If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence

or two of elaboration.
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o Anecdote
An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point.
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Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your

topic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it
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carefully.
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o Dialogue
An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers, but
the reader must understand the point you are trying to convey. Use
only two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point.
Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of elaboration.
o Summary Information
A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

the reader gently to your thesis. Each sentence should become

gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.
2. If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more
sentences that will lead the reader from your opening to your thesis
statement.
3. Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.

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Conclusion

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The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or providing
a final perspective on your topic.
All the conclusion needs is three or four strong sentences which do not need to

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follow any set formula. Simply review the main points (being careful not to
restate them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings about the topic. Even
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an anecdote can end your essay in a useful way.
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 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 1 – Unemployment in India

Unemployment means lack of work for those persons who are willing to work.
There are two categories of unemployed persons-uneducated persons and
educated persons. Unemployment among the educated people is increasing.

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Besides, unemployment, there is under employment also. Under employment
means insufficient employment. For example, a farmer is under employed
because he does not have work for the whole year.

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Unemployment is one of the major problems of the Indian economy. We know
India is an underdeveloped economy and therefore the nature of unemployment

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here differs from the one that prevails in a developed economy.
In India there is chronic under-employment or disguised unemployment in the
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rural sector and unemployment among the educated classes in the urban areas.
The main cause of unemployment among the educated lot is the slow rate growth
of the economy in relation to increase in the number of educated persons.
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Several factors are responsible for the problem of unemployment. Our defective
system of education which lays too much emphasis on literary training is perhaps
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the main cause of unemployment. Our government's faculty planning is also

responsible of this problem to a great extent.
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It fails to create suitable job opportunities for all. Population explosion is a big
reason to bring this problem into existence. Population of our country is
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increasing at fast rate but job opportunities are not increasing accordingly.
Engineering and Medical profession have a great attraction for many. But even
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those professions do not present a very bright picture. First of all it is very
difficult to get admission in a Medical or an Engineering College.
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The education in professional colleges is so expensive that only the rich can
afford it. Thus young men and women are facing very tough time. Sometimes it
has been seen that they choose a career for which they possess neither the
capability nor the attitude. This is the root cause of many young men's failure in
life.

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

It is therefore necessary to provide young men and women with educational as

well as vocational guidance. This will help them choose a profession in
accordance with their capability and aptitude.
Our government has taken several important measures to solve this growing
problem. With a view to increase employment government has made sincere
efforts to adopt and encourage labour intensive investment and production

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programmes. In this connection attention was paid on agriculture, agro-based
industries, and cottage industries.

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Since 1976 a weekly Journal-"Employment News" is being published both in
English and Hindi. Education is also being planned in such a way that educated
youths should be free from employment problem. Vocational education with the

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needs and requirements of the country is being arranged. A new education policy,
1986 has been launched.
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With the primary objective of generating additional employment, especially in
backward regions and weaker sections, a number of employment programmes
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have been started by the Govt, of India. These are IROP, The Desert Development
Programme, tne National Rural Employment Programme, The Rural Landless
Employment Guarantee
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Programme, the National Scheme of Training of Rural Youth for Self

Employment increase in employment has been one of the major objectives in all
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Five-year Plans of India.

Technical and Vocational education is being given in schools. Family planning is
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encouraged among the young men and women to control population. Different
technical and professional colleges are being established in every state. This is a
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good sign that government is trying its best to uproot this problem.
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 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 2 – Corruption in Indian Politics

With a booming economy in the 2000s, it seemed like India was on the fast track
to becoming a developed nation. However, recent slow growth has not only
reigned in this optimism, but it has also revealed just how rampant government
corruption is throughout the country. Major scandals in the telecommunications

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industry and the coal mining industry have come to light in the past year, rocking
the country and bringing the current coalition government led by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh under serious criticism. Tens of billions of dollars of taxpayer

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revenue have been wasted as a result of such corruption, and many fear this is
only the tip of the iceberg. Some reports suggest that as much as fifty percent of

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government money intended for welfare programs and subsidies ends up in the
pockets of politicians, bureaucrats, and influential businessmen instead. With 600
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million people living in poverty, 300 million living without electricity, and 65
percent of the entire population under thirty-five years of age, most without any
marketable skills, India cannot afford to waste any of its resources if it wants to
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improve the welfare of its citizens.

India’s Black Money Problem
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While corruption scandals have made the headlines in India recently, the
underlying issues have been deeply entrenched in the bureaucratic and political
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system for decades. Former Time correspondent Anita Pratap, in an interview

with the HPR, claimed, “since the 1970s, no government has seriously attacked
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corruption.” Politicians and bureaucrats in India certainly have amassed a great

deal of private wealth, much of which is black — deposited, untaxed, in overseas
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accounts. This results in a significant loss of revenue for India, with some
estimates reporting about $419 billion in taxable income and profits being
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laundered out of the country over the past decade. Pratap noted that this loss of
revenue stems largely from a treaty India has with Mauritius. “Indians can deposit
funds in Mauritius bank accounts tax free, allowing politicians to ‘round trip’
their money — it comes back into India as white money through fake projects or
to fund their election campaigns,” she explained. As a result, this tiny island has
become India’s largest financier, which Pratap believes should signal a major red
flag that corruption is taking place. In fact, last year, facing mounting

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 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

international pressure, the Indian government adopted a tax code that will close
this loophole for untaxed overseas deposits. While this reform is encouraging, the
new tax code was supposed to be implemented in 2013, but it has already been
pushed back to 2014, which means India will continue to lose sizable amounts of
revenue for at least another year.
States Combating Corruption

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Without enough revenue, the national government has been unable to adequately
fund many of its welfare programs; however, several states have managed to fight

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corruption and execute innovative programs that have improved people’s standard
of living. K.J. Alphons, now a Bhartiya Janata Party member of Parliament, spent
twenty-seven years in the Indian Administrative Service doing just that. As a

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district collector for Kottayam, a district in the state of Kerala, Mr. Alphons began
a literacy program that was free from outside monetary funding and, thus,
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corruption. He said, “Without any government funding, my administration rallied
14,000 unpaid volunteers to teach people to read.” By June 1989, Kottayam was
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declared the first city in India with a 100 percent literacy rate, and the
methodology used became the model for the national literacy program, founded
soon after. He went on to apply a similar methodology to immunize every child in
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his district, and in 1990, Kottayam ranked higher on quality of health indices than
the U.S.
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Other politicians have also led successful campaigns to bolster people’s standard
of living and reduce corruption. In the state of Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish
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Kumar, a member of the Janata Dal party, has significantly reigned in a once
rampant crime rate by increasing the size of the police force and fast tracking the
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successful prosecution of over 79,000 criminals since he took office in 2005.

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Chhattisgarh, another state in India, has also seen standards of living increased by
eliminating corruption. Formerly possessing the most corrupt grain distribution
system in the country, in 2003, the state introduced a program that sends a picture
of a grain truck the moment it leaves the distribution center via cell phones to
every person in the village, along with a message stating exactly how long it will
take the truck to arrive. This technology has been so effective at reducing

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 Ramandeep Singh

corruption that the World Bank recently declared Chhattisgarh’s distribution

system to be one of the best in the world.
Balancing Politics and Ethics
These successes at the state level are encouraging signs that real change in India is
happening thanks to the determination of various government officials who are
serious about combating corruption. Pratap concurs, stating, “The system in India

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is good if you have the right person at the helm. We don’t need new institutions,
and we have fantastic human resources, but often, politicians ensure their

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financial backers are given high government positions, rather than well-trained
bureaucrats.” Consequently, in order for the entire nation to experience progress
as a whole, strong leadership is needed at the national level, which Alphons

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believes is currently lacking. He describes the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan
Singh, as an “honest man,” but lacking “the strength to tackle corruption head
sto
on.” In 2007, major licenses for airwaves on the mobile spectrum were unfairly
allocated to thirteen companies with close ties to government officials. The Prime
am

Minister wrote a letter to the telecoms minister, Andimuthu Raja, informing him
that this process of allocation was not transparent and needed to be changed, but
Raja disregarded the warning, and Prime Minister Singh took no further action.
ex

Alphons explained that the Prime Minister’s excuse for furthering pursuing Raja
is that “he is dependent on the support of ten or twelve parties — the Congress
nk

party doesn’t have a majority,” and Prime Minister Singh did not want to risk
alienating members of the coalition.
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Moving Beyond Scandal

States across India have proved that they can reduce and even eliminate
w.

corruption, that they can implement programs that produce tangible benefits and
ww

services for people, and that politicians and bureaucrats can work transparently to
improve economic standards. Alphons, Kumar, and others have shown that
strong, honest leadership is crucial to fighting corruption and improving the lives
of their constituents, and this needs to be translated to the national level. Despite
the current government’s less than zealous attacks on corruption, there are signs at
the national level that it will not be tolerated. On February 2, 2012, the Supreme
Court cancelled all of the licenses that were unfairly allocated in the Telecom

20
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

scandal. With a strong legal system, prosecuting those who do not want to do
business fairly is possible. Reforming the tax code is another step in the right
direction, though it needs to be implemented quickly, and changing the election
laws so that the monetary barriers for candidacy are lower could help citizens
outside the ruling elite win more seats in Parliament and hopefully reduce
corruption. From Kerala to Bihar to Chattisgarh, as well as in other states, the

om
people of India have shown they will support leaders who fight corruption, so it is
time for the national government to stand against those who want to steal from the

y.c
country and instead stand with the people.

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21
 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 3 – Impact of Terrorism on Indian

Economy
World in recent past, has witnessed several economies burning with disaster &

om
crisis. Today every nation faces some or the other economic, social or communal
unrest. Further, globalization has enabled the impact of these tremors to be felt
even at remotest part of the world. India till FY 2008 had seen a steady growth

y.c
with its GDP shining as high as 9.3%. Subsequently, the economy was hit with
US Sub Prime Crisis, Satyam scandal & the Mumbai 26/11 Terrorist attacks.

da
Many believe that terrorism can't hamper ones economic activity as it only
destroy a small fraction of the stock of capital of a country. However, a broader
sto
look at the geo-political & economical scenario can easily erode this
misconception. India has been facing the terrorism threat as long as since 1970.
am

Terrorism in India is primarily attributable to Islamic, Naxalite and various other

radical movements. At least 232 of the country’s 608 districts were afflicted, at
differing intensities, by terrorism. Over a period of time terrorism has severely
ex

affected Indian economy. Following are the issues that had been major hindrance
nk

for Indian economic growth:

Ba

A] SHORT-TERM IMPACT
w.

1) Loss of Human Capital

The human costs have been horrendous. Estimates are in past 5 years 4000+ were
ww

killed in terrorist attacks. This puts India next to Iraq both in terror deaths and
terror incidents. The recent 26/11 Mumbai attacks itself left 257-300 dead and
700 injured which includes several high profile individuals such as Shri Ashok
Kapur, chairman of Yes Bank who was killed in attack.

2) Investor Behavior
Frequent attacks on commercial & government institutions shatter the confidence

22
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

of the investors causing heavy investment drainage. One example of the same is
the terrorist attack in Indian Parliament in 2001, which internationally provoked
insecurity & discouraged the investors (FII's & FDI's), obstructing the economic
growth. A heavy impact of this can be observed at the stock market that keep
diving down post any major terrorist event.

om
3) Short Term Financial Loss
In short term the obstacles like loss suffered due to the diversion of business away

y.c
from the city to other locations, lost earnings of public due to disability and
trauma among survivors etc. drains out the productivity levels & impact the
respective economy adversely. Post 26/11 the Taj & Trident Hotels incurred

da
heavy loss as operations were halted for 3-4 months. After 26/11 Mumbai attack
Pak cricket team had to cancel its Mumbai tour due to which BCCI has incurred a
sto
loss to the tune of INR 120 crore. Another such incident was Post Ex-PM Indira
Gandhi's assassination 1984 riots which hit the economy severely especially the
am

Agriculture & Transport industry that lost hundreds of crores.

4) Retrenchment effect on Specific Industries

ex

The Jaipur serial blasts, J&K Terrorism & Mumbai 26/11 attacks did have
immediate and concentrated impacts on a number of industries: most notably,
nk

airlines, aerospace, travel, tourism, insurance, lodging, restaurants, recreation and

related activities. Gross earnings from foreign tourists are currently around 1% of
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GDP. Post 26/11 terrorist attack estimates suggest that nationally hotels have seen
about 60% booking cancellations. Hotel occupancy in western India is down
w.

some 25% and rates have plunged. These industries suffered concentrated
ww

economic and job losses. Of course, regions or localities with heavy

concentrations of these industries suffered disproportionately as well.

B) LONG-TERM IMPACT

1) Political Instability
The assassinations of 2 Ex-PM of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Rajeev Gandhi

23
 Ramandeep Singh

already had jolted Indian politics & economy at large. India had lost 2 of its
strongest pillars which otherwise would have taken Indian politics, Business &
industry at unimaginable heights. Recently speaking the siege of South Mumbai
has taken toll as home minister Shivraj Patil, Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh
& Home minister R.R. Patil had to resign. This further unstabilized the Indian
industry from a long-term perspective. The Political instability at times have also

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let to erosion of FII's & FDI's.

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2) Global Implications
India, post Kargil war then Attack on Parliament now 26/11 has lost millions of
business as the trade link between the two countries are frozen during such period.

da
Agri-Exporters in bordering states have taken heavy burns. This has resulted in
unemployment in these regions, which in turn again triggers riots. 26/11 Attack
sto
involved foreign hostages and places where business leaders, executives and
foreigners frequented. This will lead to a drop in investments.
am

3) Long Term Financial Loss

The direct economic damage done by terrorist attacks: buildings and
ex

infrastructure destroyed, productive lives ended. The structural damages post

26/11 attacks was amounting to total of INR 500 crores, which subsequently took
nk

its toll on the insurance industry. Another form of longer-term costs security
involves the opportunity cost of spending additional money to fight terrorism.
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Currently India ranks on 9th position in the world for highest military expenditure
(2009-10), which amount to sum total of USD 32,700,000,000. Further, a variety
w.

of new spending on security occurred after this incident. As all this happens,
ww

economic resources will be directed to shoring up security and diverted away

from more productive private sector activity.

To conclude with, lets not forget that the enemies of our nation have vowed to
"bleed India through thousand cuts". Even if terrorism represents a small fraction
of the overall economic risk in India, it may have a large impact on the allocation
of productive capital across the country. In any part of the world terrorism is

24
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

unwanted as it not only kills the human life but also the infrastructure, industry
ultimately shackling its overall growth.

om
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25
 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 4 – Paid News in India

The emergence of Media Corporation, through growing cross media ownership is
having their impact on media's public service commitments. In recent times, the
Indian media and its journalistic practices have been criticised for breaking the
trust of the public. Indian media have successfully succeeded in growing their

om
economy through cross-ownership and advertorials. Under the influence of profit
making, commercial interests which are controlling the news content, as editorial
contents are being sold like other commodities. This commercialization of the

y.c
media content is evident in phenomena like paid news.
News is meant to be objective, fair and unbiased. This is the only difference

da
between news and opinions. But, recently, the lines between news and
advertisements are blurring because paid advertisements are deceived as news
sto
which favours a particular organization or a person by selling editorial spaces.
The media organizations misguide the readers by providing no true information to
them. By doing this, the media questions its own credibility and is fast losing the
am

trust of the society. The readers/viewers cannot distinguish the difference between
a news report and advertorials.
ex

This paper argues that the media is no longer the fourth estate of journalism and
has become like any other marketable product with reference to paid news. The
nk

face of journalism in India has changed. The press is mostly owned and controlled
by the 'capitalist class' (i.e. the rich and powerful in society; opinion leaders;
Ba

gatekeepers), who can use the press to report facts which are convenient to them.
Over years, the ownership pattern, organizational structure and the content of the
w.

newspapers have changed. They are on sale for paid news and private treaties. In
addition, this paper also tires to observe the impacts and analyse the responses of
ww

the media, civil society and the state on paid news.

Paid News and the Private Treaties Phenomenon
1“Paid news is run to pass off an advertisement, apiece of propaganda and
advertisement...pass that as news, pretend that it is news that is “paid news” – P.
Sainath. It is a deal signed by the media organizations with an individual
especially corporate houses and the candidate standing for elections, assuring
them a fixed amount of coverage through advertisements and news reports in

26
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

favour of them. In addition, additional fee can be charged to run negative

campaign against their rivals. The paid news operation is done secretly and no
disclosure is made before such news printed or broadcasted. Journalists willing or
otherwise practice this phenomenon on a large scale. Journalists who do not wish
to practice this phenomenon are either sacked from their organizations or the
individuals are denied coverage and also suffer media blackouts.

om
2The advertisers, who are ever anxious to catch consumers off guard, believe that
'simply there cannot be a better way of breaking into consumer mind space than

y.c
disguising the brand messages as news, which is more credible and convincing
than raw advertising,' says Santosh Desai, managing director and CEO, Future
Brands. Such content is priced more than the regular advertising rates.

Private Treaties
da
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Private treaties are signed with corporate organizations because media owners
want to grow their organizations. In 2002, Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd (BCCL)
am

launched this phenomenon of private treaties by singing deals with potential

advertisers who could not afford mainstream advertising in return for equity
shares in their companies. Many corporate leaders say that when the news space is
ex

available for sale, there are many buyers for it, especially when it meets their
needs. Example: In The Times of India, Delhi Edition, Olay brand articles were a
nk

part of paid marketing campaign by Proctor and Gamble, India.

Ba

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) reported that media
organizations are entering into agreements called private treaties with corporate
w.

organizations whose equity shares are listed on the stock exchanges that come out
with public offer of their shares. The media organizations are picking up stakes in
ww

such companies and in return are providing favourable coverage through

advertisements, news reports and editorials.
Repercussions of Selling Editorial Space
Most media organizations are interested in making profits for which they sacrifice
the ethical norms of journalistic practice in favour of paid news. The first paid
news phenomenon was broken down by P. Sainath. Paid news is common in Lok
Sabha and state assemblies’ elections especially in states like Maharashtra and

27
 Ramandeep Singh

Haryana. As per media reports, the size of the 'paid news' market in Andhra
Pradesh in the elections in 2009 alone, was said to be over Rs 1,000 crore. In
Maharashtra, it is said to be in multi thousand crores.
A lot of evidence is available of the malpractice. Example: Ashok Chavan used
the print media effectively during the Maharashtra state elections in 2009.
Identical articles with photographs and headlines having appeared in competing

om
publications carrying by-lines of different authors around the same time praising
candidates claiming that both are likely to win the election hints at some unholy

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dealings. Nowhere, is there any indication that the publication of such news
reports has entailed financial transaction or has been sponsored by certain
individuals or political parties.

da
Press Council of India's draft report of enquiry titled 'Paid News: How corruption
in the Indian Media Undermines Indian Democracy' points out that the deception
sto
that 'paid news' involves takes place at three distinct levels (Sainath, 2010a):
4The reader or the viewer is deceived into believing that what is essentially an
am

advertisement is in fact, independently produced news content.

Moreover, candidates contesting elections do not disclose the true expenditure
incurred on campaigning thereby violating the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,
ex

which have been framed by, and are meant to be enforced by, the Election
Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
nk

The newspapers and television channels concerned usually receive funds for paid
news in cash and do not disclose such earnings in their company balance sheets or
Ba

official statements of accounts. Thus, by not accounting for the money received
from candidates, the concerned media company or its representatives are violating
w.

the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961,
ww

among other laws.

Edelman, an independent public relations firm, in its 2010 Trust Barometer

Survey states that the Indian news media have been losing their credibility and
trust among the people. Over the past two years, trust on television news dropped
sharply from 61 per cent to just 36 per cent, that of business magazines has gone
down from 72 per cent to 47 per cent, and that of newspapers has gone down from

28
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

61 per cent to 40 per cent. Trust in the media in India as a whole declined by 7 per
cent (from 65 per cent in 2009 to 58 per cent in 2010). This decline in trust speaks
volumes about the future role of the media in India and the threats to its hard
earned freedom.
According to the 2nd Press Commission report, the role of press should be
constructive critic. It must oppose an official policy when needed; support it when

om
it can at most of the times, bring out instructive opinions on important issues
covering all aspects/ angles to provide knowledge to people.

y.c
Journalists are accepted as moral guides in the Indian society. They are accepted
because of the foundation on which the concept of media freedom was built. India
guaranteed freedom of speech and expression to its citizens. It is a fundamental

da
right under Article 19(1) (A) of the Indian Constitution, which allows everyone to
express their views as well as allows the right to print matters which are borrowed
sto
from someone or printed under the direction of that person.
Paid News Syndrome and Need for Greater Accountability
am

The paid news syndrome has become a debateable topic for various platforms.
When the credibility of the media is lost, its freedom gets restricted. Hamid
Ansari, the Vice President of India said that the explosive growth in the media
ex

had highlighted the fact that the Fourth Estate is only one among the pillars of
democracy that has an identifiable commercial and profit facade.
nk

Disapproving paid news in any form, Sitaram Yechury says that paid news is not
merely a serious matter influencing the functioning of a free press, but it is an
Ba

issue that also concerns the future of parliamentary democracy in India. Providing
access to unbiased, unfiltered and objective news or information is the role that
w.

media are supposed to play in a parliamentary democracy. This comes under very
ww

severe strain with the emergence of the paid news syndrome.

Strongly arguing against paid news, Arun Jaitley claims that those who are in a
position to pay more for information expressed as paid news shape the human
minds in this country accordingly. This cannot be free speech. At best, it could be
trade, it could be business, and, therefore, the government has to take this out of
the arena of free speech and put it in the arena of business or trade, all in public
interest. Favouring deterrent penalty against those who indulge in such practices

29
 Ramandeep Singh

he suggests that 'in the case of (a) candidate, it has to be an offence under election
law (The phrase) 'corrupt practice' must be amended in the Representation of the
People Act and this should be a ground for setting aside the election and
disqualifying the candidate, and if parties indulge in this…there must be action
against this.

om
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30
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Sample 5 – Is Right to Education Act is

properly implemented in India
Rights to Edcuation The importance of learning is to enable the individual to put
his potentials to optimal use. Education makes man a right thinker and a correct

om
decision-maker. It achieves this by bringing him knowledge from the external
world, teaching him to reason and acquainting him with past history, so that he
can be a better judge of the present. With education, he finds himself in a room

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with all its windows open to the outside world. A well educated man is a more
dependable worker, a better citizen, a centre of wholesome influence, pride to his

da
community and honour to his country. A nation is great only in proportion of its
advancement in education.
Over the years, the demand for children’s education has grown by leaps and
sto
bounds.Everybody from the poorest of the poor to the well off, acknowledges the
value of education in the overall development of children. Basically, the object of
am

education is threefold i.e. physical, mental and spiritual. A perfect system of

education must do full justice to all those three above.
If we take a look at the Education Structure existing in India, we would find that,
ex

it is divided broadly in five stages: Pre-primary, Primary, Upper Primary,

nk

Secondary and Higher Secondary. Schooling in India follows the “10+2

pattern”.
Ba

Moreover, if we take into consideration the Indian Education Scenario, we would

find that, in the post-independence period, the pace of educational development
w.

has been unprecedented by any standards. The Govt. was committed to ensuring
universal elementary education (primary and upper primary) education for all
ww

children aged 6-14 years of age through its flagship programme, Sarva Shiksha
Abhikyan (SSA). It is assumed that, the chief aim of such an education must have
been just to fit one to earn a living. It is called “Bread and Butter” system of
education, as well. With the above situation and concept in mind, on April 1,
2010, India has reached a historic milestone in country’s struggle for Children’s
Right To Education. The Constitution (86th Amendment) Act 2002 making
elementary education a Fundamental Right and its consequential legislation, the

31
 Ramandeep Singh

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, comes into
force. The enforcement of this right represents a momentous step forward in 100 –
year struggle for universalizing elementary education.
The Salient Features of the RTE Act are :
1. School and social mapping;
2. Catching those out of school;

om
3. Re-deployment of teachers;
4. Filling vacancies;

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5. Grievance redressal;
6. The funding. Inevitably, this will take care of the ‘threefold educational
object’. It would also result in bridging the access and enrolment gaps, to a

da
large extent.
Under the RTE Act, it is envisaged that, the teaching-learning process would be
sto
stress-free and a massive programme for curricular reform would be initiated to
provide for a child friendly learning system, that is at once relevant and
am

empowering. Similarly, the Teacher accountability systems and processes would

ensure that the children are learning and that their right to learn in a child friendly
environment is safeguarded.
ex

Among other essential things, the schools would also ensure adequate and safe
drinking water and an accessible and adequate sanitation facility for girls and
nk

boys in the Institution premises itself. Moreover, school would also provide geo-
spatial technologies to supplement social mapping exercises at the grassroots
Ba

level.
The immense relevance of inclusive education, particularly of disadvantaged
w.

groups, demands vibrant partnerships with the departments and organizations

ww

concerned with children of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and
educationally backward minorities. Government will have to set up systems for
equal opportunity for children with special needs. The Rural Development and
Panchayati Raj Departments would need to accelerate poverty reduction
programmes so that children are freed from domestic chores and wage earning
responsibilities. State Governments would simultaneously ensure that the
Panchayati Raj institutions get appropriately involved so that ‘local

32
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

authorities’can discharge their functions under the RTE Act. There is a need for
close cooperation amongst departments concerned to ensure that so far the
deprived children get their rights to education.
The Sports Departments would need to build in physical education for the overall
physical, social, emotional and mental development of the child. Above all,
people’s groups, civil society organizations and voluntary agencies will have to

om
play a crucial role in implementing the RTE. A vibrant civil society movement
would also ensure that the rights of the child are not violated; it can amplify the

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voice of the disadvantaged and weaker sections of society. It can also improve
programmer outcomes by contributing local knowledge and technical expertise
and bringing innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges ahead.

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With regard to Constitutional Provisions, it has given considerable importance to
the education. The Constitutional Amendment of 1976 included education in the
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Concurrent List, which means that both the Centre and the State have jurisdiction
over enacting legislations on the subject and is a far-reaching step.
am

As far as National Policies are concerned, there have so far been mainly two
comprehensive statements of the National Policy on Education, viz. those of 1968
and 1986. However, to the advantage of educational system in our country, there
ex

have been certain modifications to above, during the course of time.

With huge investments in the infrastructure of schools, to cater to the educational
nk

needs of children with varying intelligence levels, alternative forms of education

is also fairly widely available. One must get acquainted with those alternatives for
Ba

self progress and betterment.

Parents have expectations from the education system that it would equip their
w.

children for gainful employment and economic well being. The enforcement of
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the Fundamental Right to Education would provide us a unique opportunity to

mount a mission encompassing all the discourses to fulfill our goal of universal
elementary education. The right to education goes beyond free and compulsory
education to include quality education for all.
With the introduction of RTE Act, in the years to come, there would be a notable
achievement in the ‘literacy rate’ in our country. Is it not the ‘dream’ and ‘prime
motto’ of our Leaders?

33
 Ramandeep Singh

Thus, it can be concluded that, Education is a fundamental human right, without

which capabilities for a decent life and effective participation in society are less
likely to be developed. Since the RTE Act has provided us the tools to provide
quality education to all our children, it is now imperative that we, the people of
India, join hands to ensure the implementation of this law in its true spirit. The
Government is committed to this task though real change will happen only

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through collective action and we must come forward willingly for the same.

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34
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Letter Writing
What's the best way to write a letter? Do paper letters still work or is email a
better option? There isn't one best way to communicate. In some cases it makes
sense to communicate via email, at other times you may need to to send

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traditional typed, printed and signed letters. Email is quicker and easier, but some
email messages never get opened and, depending on who you are writing to and
why you are writing, you may be required to mail a typed letter or upload it

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online.
Regardless of how you communicate, well written letters include several sections,

da
what you include in each section and how the document is formatted will depend
on whether you are sending a typed letter or an email message.
This guide to writing letters includes what should be listed in each part of a letter,
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how to address and sign typed and email communications, letter formats and
layouts, and examples and templates.
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Parts of a Letter
 Contact Information
 Salutation (Greeting)
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 Body of Letter
 Closing
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 Signature
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Contact Information
How you include your contact information will be different based on how you are
w.

sending your letter. When you send an email message, your contact information
will be at the end of the message instead of the top of the page. Here's what to
ww

include and samples for both typed letters and emails.

Salutation Examples
The salutation is the greeting section of your letter. Here's a list of letter salutation
examples that work well for professional correspondence.
Body of Letter
The body of your letter will include several paragraphs. The first paragraph
should include an introduction and a brief explanation of your reason for writing.

35
 Ramandeep Singh

The second paragraph (and any following paragraphs) should explain further your
reasons for writing. The last paragraph should either request action from the
reader, if you are requesting something, or state how you will follow-up.
Be sure that the purpose of your letter is clear. The reader will need to know what
you are asking for and how they can help you. Or, if you are offering services or
assistance what you can provide to the reader.

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Closing
A letter is closed with a term like "Best regards" or "Sincerely" which is followed

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by a comma, then your signature if you're sending a typed letter. If you're sending
a email message, simply type your name after the closing. Here's a list of letter
closing examples that are appropriate for business and employment related

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correspondence.
Signature
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The finishing touch to your letter is your signature, which, in an email message,
will include your contact information.
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How to Address a Letter

It's important to address the individual you are writing to formally, unless you
know them very well. Here's how to address a letter including generic information
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you can use if you don't have a contact person at the company.
Formatting Your Correspondence
nk

Now that you have all the information you need to include, review the standard
format to use for letters and email messages:
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Letter Writing Guidelines

w.

The next step is to polish up your letter, so there is plenty of space between
ww

paragraphs and the top and bottom of the page. You will also want to select a
readable, professional style and size of font. What you say will depend on the
reason you're writing, so be sure to tailor your letter to fit your personal and
professional situation.
Here are step by step guides to writing a variety of different types of letters,
including page margins, fonts, spacing, and details of what to include, along with
examples of each.

36
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Sample 1 – Complaint Letter to ecommerce

website for sending used pairs of cleats
PS Retail

om
92 Sargodha Calony
Rani Bagh, New Delhi, 110034
June 30, 2004

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Dear Sir or Madam:

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I have recently ordered a new pair of soccer cleats (item #6542951) from your
website on June 21. I received the order on June 26. Unfortunately, when I
opened it, I saw that the cleats were used. The cleats had dirt all over it and there
sto
was a small tear in front of the part where the left toe would go. My order number
is AF26168156.
am

To resolve the problem, I would like you to credit my account for the amount
charged for my cleats; I have already went out and bought a new pair of cleats at
my local sporting goods store so sending another would result in me having two
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pairs of the same cleats.

nk

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I have been a satisfied customer
of your company for many years and this is the first time I have encountered a
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problem. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at (555) 555-5555.
w.

Sincerely,
Signature
ww

XYZ

37
 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 2 - Write a letter to a bank, asking for

a loan to set up a small scale industry of your
own.
Your Name

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(You can write any dummy name
or just put some xxxx mark here)

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Address
Exam Date

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The Manager,
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The State Bank of India,
Ambazari Branch,
am

South Ambazari Road,

Nagpur - 44 00 22
ex

Dear Sir,
nk

Last week when I came to the bank on some official work, I remember the long
Ba

conversation we had on the role of state sector banks in the small scale industrial
sector. It was your encouragement and a verbal promise of financial aid that
w.

emboldened me to apply for a loan to set up a small unit of my own.

ww

Actually, I have been carrying out research on various projects right from the days
when I was studying for my Diploma in Textile Engineering in Manchester,
England. In Nagpur, I have been working as a Liaison Officer with Beardsell
Limited for the past ten years. Hence, today I feel confident that with my
education, research and experience, I am well equipped to venture out on my own.

38
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

As I had mentioned to you earlier, I have acquired a factory of 1000 sq. feet at
burdi (area name). I have also sent an initial payment of Rs. 25,000/- for the
purchase of five knitting machines from Nainital. Each of these machines costs
Rs. 55,000/-. Hence, I shall be grateful if you could grant me a loan of Rs.
1,75,000/- for the purchase of these machines, raw material and initial overhead
expenditure.

om
My elder brother, who has a Fixed Deposit of Rs. 2 lacs (Acc Number) in your

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bank, has promised to stand surety for me. I also promise to abide by all the rules
and regulations laid down by your bank, with regard to the payment of interest
and the repayment of the amount in fixed installments.

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With your co-operation and help, and my ability and dedication, I am sure I shall
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be able to translate my dream into a reality.
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Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
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your name (XXXX)

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 Ramandeep Singh

Sample 3 - Write a letter to the MCD about

the problem of open manholes in your area.
ABC

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Block – J 88/3
Ashok Vihar
Delhi

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Date: 22 /04/ 2014

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To,
The Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
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Subject – Problem of Open Manholes in Laxmi Nagar
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Sir,
With due regards, I wish to bring to your kind notice that the conditions of man
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holes in our area are very unsatisfactory.

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Recently, a six year old child had a providential escape when he fell into an open
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manhole in our area. Luckily a passerby rescued him. The frightening fact is that
open manholes have become the source of imminent danger to the lives of the
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residents of this area, especially small children. These manholes with their gaping
mouths can be death-traps for unsuspecting passerby. They can also cause major
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motor accidents.

I would request you to instruct the concerned staff to take immediate necessary
action to get these open manholes covered before they claim any life.

Yours faithfully,
ABC

40
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Sample 4 - Write a letter to your friend

explaining him various precautions and
remedies of Online Payments
3781, Jagjit Nagar

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Ludhiana

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Dear friend,
Yesterday I received your message regarding how to make online payments
safely. I am very happy to know that you are aware about online security threats

da
and asked for my help.
 Always use virtual keyboard while entering your credential details. Most
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of the times this option is available on the website itself, if not available,
you can use windows virtual keyboard utility from accessories.
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 Check whether the url is secured or not. Check the starting word, if it
ishttps:// then it is secured.
 Never give your internet banking password to anyone.
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 No bank asks for confidential details on phone. So never trust anonymous

bank managers on phone calls.
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 Check whether official contact number and address is available on the

website about us and contact us page.
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 In case you didn't get the products you ordered then file complain to the
website owner first in case it is not resolved within 7 days then file a
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complaint with payment gateway company, the company which provides

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payment processing facility.

I hope the above security checks and remedies will help in making safe online
payments.

Regards
XYZ

41
 Ramandeep Singh

Reading Comprehensions
Reading comprehensions are high scoring part of every competitive examination
still accuracy of students is lowest in this part. Today I am going to share some
tips and strategies to help you improve your score.

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Here are my strategies :-

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How to select passages to attempt
As there is lack of time in every competitive exam and it is a fact that you can't

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attempt all pessages, you need to choose between various passages. As there is
question sets with reading comprehension, your selection makes a big impact
on your final marks.
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Are you comfortable with the topic
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Most important thing before selecting a passage is the topic on which passage is
based. Do you love history ? You saw a passage on Aurengzeb. You shouldn't
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skip it at any cost. If you love to read about a particular topic, your reading speed
as well as acuuracy will be high in this topic.
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Skip the topics you are unaware of. There are high chances that you will mark
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wrong answers for this comprehension.

Vocabulary Usage
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You can't build your vocabulary in a week or few days. It is a time consuming
process. So before attempting any passage, skim it and find out - Are you
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comfortable with the topic. If your answer is yes then attempt that passage.
Author's tone
It's very important to understand tone of author. It may be optimistic, pessimist,
sarcastic, angry or contemplative. If you are able to understand what author is
trying to say then there is high probability that you will mark right answers.
Length of passage

42
 Descriptive Section book for SBI PO

Without going into any details, simply prefer smaller passages.

Difficulty level of questions
If you find that questions are beyond the conclusion you found from the passage,
simply skip that question, Never try to mark nearest answer. Mark the answer
only if you sure about it. Accuracy level of most of the candidates is lowest in this
part of every competitive exam.

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43