Vocabulary and Letter Writing for TNPSC

This guide covers essential vocabulary and letter-writing skills for the TNPSC Group 2/2A General English exam. We will explore key topics from Unit II (Vocabulary) such as Spelling, Correct Word Usage, One-Word Substitution, and Word Creation, along with the fundamentals of Letter Writing from Unit III.

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Learning Patterns & Strategies

• Analyze Previous Year Questions (PYQs): Start by reviewing past Group 4 and Group 2 question papers to understand how questions are framed for each topic. (முந்தைய ஆண்டு வினாத்தாள்களைப் பார்ப்பது கேள்வி கேட்கும் முறையைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள உதவும்).
• Focus on High-Yield Areas: Grammar and Vocabulary are major portions. Mastering them can significantly boost your overall score.
• Memorization and Practice: Topics like One-Word Substitution and Spelling Rules require memorization. Create daily study schedules to learn a few new words or rules each day.
• Use Elimination Techniques: In multiple-choice questions, especially in one-word substitution, look for a familiar word in the options. This can help you eliminate wrong choices and find the correct answer.
• Context is Key: For "Correct Usage of Words," understand the context of the sentence to choose the most appropriate word.

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Part 1: Mastering Vocabulary (Unit II)

Vocabulary is crucial for scoring well. Let's break down the key areas explained in the session.

1. Spelling of Words

Correct spelling is fundamental for clear communication. A spelling mistake can change the entire meaning of a sentence.

Key Spelling Rules

1. Words Ending in Silent 'e':

   When adding a suffix starting with a vowel (like -ing, -ed, -er), the silent e at the end of a word is usually dropped.

   • Example: hope + ing → hoping; close + ed → closed.

   However, the e is not dropped if the suffix starts with a consonant.

   • Example: hope + ful → hopeful; use + less → useless.

2. Words Ending in 'y':

   If a word ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i before adding a suffix.

   • Example: carry + ed → carried; funny + er → funnier.

   If the word ends in a vowel + y, do not change the y.

   • Example: prey + ing → preying.

3. Doubling the Final Consonant:

   In short words with a "consonant-vowel-consonant" (CVC) pattern, double the final consonant before adding a suffix starting with a vowel.

   • Example: plan + ing → planning; stop + ed → stopped.

4. The i before e Rule:

   The general rule is "i before e, except after c".

   • Example: believe, field, piece.
   • Exception after 'c': receive, ceiling.

Remember Exceptions!

English grammar is full of exceptions. For TNPSC, questions are often asked from these exceptional cases. Make a special note of words like truly, duly, awful, ninth, and wisdom where the rules might not apply as expected.

2. Correct Usage of Words

This involves choosing the right word to fit the context of a sentence. This skill depends on your understanding of grammar and vocabulary.

• Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord): Ensure the verb agrees with the subject. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
  • Example: The doctor **is** treating the patient. (Singular)
  • Example: The birds **are** flying. (Plural)
• Confusing Words (Homophones/Homonyms): Pay attention to words that sound similar but have different meanings and spellings.
  • Accept vs. Except:
    • Accept (Verb): To receive something. (ஏற்றுக்கொள்வது). Example: Please accept my gift.
    • Except (Preposition): Excluding; apart from. (தவிர). Example: Everyone came except Ram.
  • Bath vs. Bathe:
    • Bath (Noun): The act of washing. (குளியல்). Example: I need to take a bath.
    • Bathe (Verb): To wash someone/something. (குளிப்பாட்டுவது). Example: I **bathe** my puppy in the tub.

3. One-Word Substitution

This means replacing a long phrase or sentence with a single word. It makes communication concise and precise.

• Strategy: When you see a match-the-following question with one-word substitutions, first find the word you know for sure. For instance, most people know Amnesia means "loss of memory." Match it first, and it will help you solve the rest.

Common Categories for One-Word Substitution

• Study of a subject (-logy words):
  • Ornithology: The study of birds (பறவைகளைப் பற்றிய படிப்பு).
  • Pathology: The study of diseases (நோய்களைப் பற்றிய படிப்பு).
  • Archaeology: The study of ancient things.
• Types of People:
  • Glutton: A person who eats too much.
  • Gourmet: A person who enjoys fine food and drink.
  • Optimist: One who always looks on the bright side of things (எப்போதும் நல்லதையே நம்புபவர்).
• Types of Government (-cracy words):
  • Democracy: Government by the people.
  • Autocracy: Government by one person with absolute power.
  • Bureaucracy: Government run by officials.
• Fears (-phobia words):
  • Hydrophobia: Fear of water.
  • Zoophobia: Fear of animals.

4. Word Creation

Word creation involves forming new words using different methods.

• Prefixes and Suffixes: Adding a letter or group of letters to the beginning (prefix) or end (suffix) of a word to create a new word.
  • Prefix Example: un- + happy → unhappy (ஆப்போசிட் அர்த்தம் தருகிறது).
  • Suffix Example: child + -hood → childhood.
• Clipping Words: Shortening a longer word.
  • Example: Examination → Exam; Helicopter → Copter; Advertisement → Ad.
• Blending Words: Combining parts of two words to form a new one.
  • Example: Motor + Hotel → Motel; Smoke + Fog → Smog.
• Euphemism: Using a mild or pleasant word instead of a harsh or unpleasant one. (கடினமான வார்த்தைக்கு பதிலாக மென்மையான வார்த்தையைப் பயன்படுத்துதல்).
  • Example: Instead of died, we say passed away (காலமானார்).
  • Example: Instead of poor, we say needy (தேவைப்படுபவர்).

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Part 2: Fundamentals of Letter Writing (Unit III)

For the TNPSC exam, you don't need to write a full letter. You need to understand the format, types, and components of letters to answer multiple-choice questions correctly.

Formal vs. Informal Letters

Feature	Formal Letter (முறைசார் கடிதம்)	Informal Letter (முறைசாரா கடிதம்)
Purpose	Official, Business, Complaints, Requests	Personal communication (நண்பர்கள், குடும்பத்தினர்)
Audience	Officials, Editors, Managers	Friends, Family, Relatives
Tone	Professional, Respectful, Polite	Casual, Friendly, Emotional
Format	Strict format must be followed	Flexible format
Key Components	Includes Receiver's Address and Subject	Receiver's Address and Subject are not needed

Format of a Formal Letter

This is the standard structure you must remember.

1. Sender's Address (From Address): Your address.
2. Date: The date the letter is written.
3. Receiver's Address (To Address): The address of the person you are writing to.
4. Subject: A short, clear line explaining the purpose of the letter. (கடிதத்தின் நோக்கம்).
5. Salutation: A respectful greeting, e.g., Respected Sir/Madam, or Dear Sir/Madam,.
6. Body of the Letter: The main content, usually in 2-3 paragraphs.
   • Introduction: State the purpose directly.
   • Details: Provide all necessary information, context, and details.
   • Conclusion: Summarize and state what action you expect.
7. Complimentary Close: A polite closing, e.g., Yours faithfully,, Yours sincerely,.
8. Signature: Your signature, followed by your name.

Types of Letters

You need to identify the type of letter from a given scenario.

Letter Type	Purpose	Example Scenario
Letter of Inquiry	To request information about a product or service.	Asking a college for details about a course.
Letter of Complaint	To complain about a faulty product or poor service.	Writing about a broken water pipe in your street.
Letter of Placing Order	To order goods from a company.	A school library ordering new books.
Job Application	To apply for a job.	Writing to a company with your resume.
Letter to the Editor	To express an opinion on a social issue in a newspaper.	Highlighting the problem of traffic jams in your area.

How Questions are Asked

For letter writing, TNPSC will give you a scenario and ask questions like:

• "Who is the sender/receiver in this letter?"
• "What is the appropriate subject for this letter?"
• "What type of letter is this?" (e.g., Complaint, Inquiry)
• "Which of the following is the correct formal closing?"