intermediate second year office assistantship …bieap.gov.in/pdf/shorthandiiyr.pdf · intermediate...

INTERMEDIATE SECOND YEAR

OFFICE ASSISTANTSHIP VOCATIONAL COURSE

A MANUAL ON SHORTHAND PRACTICALS

Compiled by

S. ANAND, M.Com., B.L., J.L. in Commerce,

Department of O.A. Krishnaveni Govt. Jr. College (W),

CHITTOOR – 517 002.

Board of Intermediate Education,

Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad.

PREFACE

To be in tune with the National Curriculum for Vocational Education,

the syllabus for II Year Intermediate Office Assistantship Vocational Course

has been thoroughly revised with effect from 2005-2006.

For the first time an attempt has been made by the Board of

Intermediate education to prepare a manual on shorthand practicals, having

in mind the needs and standards of students.

The manual has been divided into nine chapters to enable the student

to acquire skills of speed and efficiency in taking shorthand dictations with a

special stress on précis writing. Three Model Question Papers are given for

practice and guidance.

A sincere attempt has been made to present the book, error-free.

However there is always a scope for improvement. Suggestions from

teachers as well as students for the improvement of the book will be received

in all humility.

CONTENTS

No. of Page No. Periods

1. Revisionary Exercise ‘C’ … 05 01 2. Practice of Grammalogues &

Contractions both General and Special … 20 03

3. Transcription drills at 40 wpm … 20 07





8. Practice of Lithographs … 20 42

9. Practice of Precis-writing … 10 54

10. Model Question Papers … 62

1

CHAPTER - 1

Revisionary Exercise ‘C’ (Read & Practice)

2

WRITE IN SHORTHAND THE FOLLOWING REVISIONARY EXERCISE-C

I-cannot quite understand how you-came to act as you did in-the court today,

nor how you could put-the case against that child with-such particular force, missing

no opportunity that-you-were able-to seize to-make-the poor child appear guilty of-

the theft. You-may say that, without-the evidence of-the gentlemen whose purse was-

taken, and without-the statements of-the other gentleman who said they saw-the child

put her hand into-the old gentleman’s pocket, there-would certainly have-been no

case for-the jury. But, surely, according-to-the evidence of-the guard called by-the

defence, there-was more-than a doubt that-the prisoner was-the child seen by-the

gentlemen who testified. The guard told a straightforward tale, and, though-you tried

to shake his evidence, you failed to do-so, except towards-the end, when-he admitted

he-saw a gold coin drop apparently from-the child’s hands to-the ground. I-think-

you-were a little short with-the guard, and I-was glad when-the people in-the court

cheered end of-the case, under protest by-him, and-his friends. I-do-not believe-the

poor child came out-of-the yard, as stated by-one-of-your witnesses, and-indeed I-

did-not believe a word of-that witness’s evidence. It-was given in a bad spirit, in a

tone which sent a shiver through everyone in-the court, I-know that at-least a third of-

his story about-the school and-the wonderful instruction he had received there was

untrue. I-know this because I-went to-the school myself and you-will-find my name

inscribed on-the roll of honour hanging in-the large hall. It-is-not wonderful,

therefore, that I-have a doubt of-that man’s word. It-would-be rather more wonderful

if-I-believed his story. I-think that-he-is a selfish, vindictive fellow, and it-will-be

instructive to follow his future. Anyway, I-shall set about an appeal for-the child,

whom I-believe to be absolutely innocent of-the crime alleged against her.

3

CHAPTER - 2 A List of Grammalogues & Contractions

7

CHAPTER – 3 Transcription Drills @ 40 Words Per Minute

Example : 1 10 Minutes

It-is a matter of very-great pleasure to-be / with you this-evening when

you-are celebrating the Sixth // Anniversary of-your Association. What-was merely

an association of // shorthand writers six years ago has now become a first (1) class

commercial institute with a large-number-of students securing / a high percentage of

success. As one devoted a considerable // part of-his life to shorthand, I-feel it a ///

privilege to exchange my thoughts with-you on-the difficulties (2) in the way of rapid

progress in shorthand. It-is / a well-known fact that qualification in shorthand makes

it // easy to secure employment either in government service or in /// private concerns

with fairly good prospects. But higher your qualifications (3) greater are your

prospects. It-is-therefore not surprising that / a large-number of students appear for-

the examinations in // shorthand but it-is unfortunate that it-is only a /// few that are

able to come out successful. I-shall (4) briefly place before you some of-the main

causes for / failure and how to-get over-the obstacles. Many-consider // that when

they-are able-to write down-the shorthand /// outlines without any omissions they-

have reached a standard but (5) they fail because in making out-the outlines they

commit / large number-of mistakes. The higher the standard in-the // language, the

better is-the performance. Proficiency in shorthand depends /// on-the proficiency in-

the language. It-is-therefore absolutely (6) necessary that side-by-side with-the

progress in shorthand / one should improve his standard in-the language. The present

// educational system has lowered the standard in English and consequently /// many

who-have come out successful in-the high school (7) and college examinations are

very poor in English. They should / continue to devote themselves regularly for

improving their standard in // English even after leaving their schools and colleges.

Dear Sirs, thank-you very-much for-your letter of the (8) eleventh January, giving full

particulars of the proposed changes. We / have considered-the matter once again and

thought that-the // changes proposed would be brought into force from /// July.

If-you-can adjust for the time being it-would-be (9) very much appreciated. Of

course, you would agree that anything / done in-this-regard would improve our

business relations. We // hope that you would continue to do business with us /// as

you have-been doing all these years. Faithfully Yours, (10)

8

Transcription :

9


Sometimes we-think that a particular view is beneficial to /-the people. But

there-are people holding other views. In//-this matter we-have to carry-the people

with us. /// We-cannot ignore-the views of others. We-have to (1)-find a solution

which-is acceptable to all and-it / does-not weaken our democratic structure or our

national unity. // The question of language generates emotion and anger. If a ///

proper solution is found language can-be a force for (2) national unity and national

progress.

Two years ago our leaders / put forward a proposal that education up-to-the

University // level should-be in-the mother tongue so-that-the /// benefits of education

could reach everyone and-the talents of (3)-the people could find a natural outlet.

Can-we achieve / this? Even a good proposal sometimes contains the seeds of //

danger. It-is feared that-this proposal might encourage separatism. /// This proposal

could definitely prove beneficial if-there-is a (4) link language which-can bind-the

people together and-thus / help maintain national unity. Similarly there-is need to

maintain // links with-the world. We-cannot afford to leave in /// isolation in-the

present day world. It will prove harmful (5) to-our interests. Therefore there-should-

be three languages, namely, / regional-language, link language and an international

language. We-have // to consider how-the difficulties of-the various parts of ///-the

country can-be minimized and how these can-be (6) helped in-their-possible way. No

- one should-have-the / feeling that // something is being thrust on him or that

obstacles are being put in-his path. Dear Sir, I ///-am-very-glad to notice-that by-

some-means you (7) -are hoping to-have-the new proposal brought-forward at /-the-

next meeting of-the-directors, and-I-am-persuaded // that in-the-mean-time you-

should-not discuss-the ///-matter with anyone, because-it-is-necessary to-be very (8)

cautious in-all-circumstances as on-this-occasion. You-will /-probably do what-

could-be-done to-make-the case // complete so-that-we-might-have every-assistance

detailed with ///-us in-our-favour. I-think-that-you-are-aware (9) of-the importance of

-having read a definite scheme if /-we-would-be successful, but as-the-matter is of //-

such vital importance to-us, I-take-the-opportunity of-emphasizing-the point.

Awaiting your-reply, we-are, yours-truly. (10)

10

Transcription :

11

Exercise : 1 10 Minutes

When some time ago we were giving a little thought to the strange nature of

Time, we let ourselves take some comfort from the certainty that at least we knew that

each day was made up of 24 hours. A day, we lightly stated, had in it just 24 hours,

never 23 and never 25. But were we right in thinking that we knew this to be the

case? Perhaps not, for when the expert comes along he informs us that a day lasts 48

hours and at the same time does not exist at all. We open our eyes a little wider with

surprise and ask: “How can such things be?” And we are given a quite simple reason.

As we all learned at school, our earth is always turning away from the west, and the

nearer a place is to the east the earlier is the hour of day-break at that place. If, for

example, we were living in a country at a point on the earth where the distance round

the world is as great as it can be, and we were to leave that country and go to another

country which is, let us say, a little over one thousand miles more distant from the

west we would find that day-break was an hour earlier in our new home than it had

been in our old home. If we moved only five hundred miles towards the east we

would find the difference to be only half an hour, and if we moved only 50 miles we

would find the difference to be as little as three minutes. If we look at a table of

“lighting up” times we note that these times differ widely for different parts of the

same country. But long, long ago, before the present age with its planes and TV, men

found that any form of exchange between nations was made very difficult when there

was no order in the method of stating the time in different parts of the world. So, to

make it possible for anyone in any part of the world to know just what time it was in

any other part of the world. The following course was agreed upon. Man had already

“cut up” the day into 24 hours.

CHAPTER – 4

Transcription Drills @ 50 WPM


Mr. Nehru said that India needed a big plan because it was only through major

projects, they could to develop the country. There might be a serious crisis if, at the

end of the Third Plan, there was shortage of steel. Some of the power produced

should be reserved (1) for rural areas. Referring to the progress of the plans, Mr.

12

Nehru said that during the last ten years of the two Plans, many things have been done

here in spite of failures in some places. It may be truly said that a foundation for

rapid progress in future has (2) been well laid. Referring to education Mr. Nehru said

it should be made available to every student of merit. The base of the ideal of

equality was education. He commended the Madras scheme of mid-day meals for

children attending schools and suggested that other States could adopt it with (3)

suitable modification. He emphasized the basic importance of education in any kind

of progress and that they should aim at making education available to every boy and

girl of merit. Both at the school and college they should have schemes of scholarship

to students on a big scale for (4) giving opportunity to those intellectually and

otherwise fit to take advantage of them. While the Plan should keep this in view, they

should see that the pursuit of regional development they might not be impeded in the

general development of the country at large. It was well recognized by people (5) who

had given deep thought to the problem, that it was only through major public

enterprise that the country could go ahead fast. The question of private and public

sectors was more theoretical and the test to be applied was what was advantageous to

the nation. They were not interested (6) in private fortunes being made because these

increased inequality among the people of India. Both the public and private sectors

had a definite place but the public sector fitted in with the general planned economy.

The private sector had also to fit in and was not to be run on (7) lines which created

concentration of wealth. The whole concept of planning was a concept in physical

terms. However, both the financial and physical approaches had to be borne in mind.

While resources might limit them the whole development programme was intended to

create additional resources and if they went ahead (8) fast enough, additional

resources might be created. The Prime Minister spoke of the importance of spreading

education and said that the question of higher education, especially technical

education should receive greater attention. He said that at present they did not tap

the large reservoir of people who may not only (9) profit by higher education but be

an advantage to the State. Therefore the question arose as to how they should make it

available to every boy and girl of merit. Their objectives were higher standards in

education, and equality of opportunity, so that those getting this opportunity can

easily continue their studies. (10)

13

Transcription :

14

Example – 2 10 Minutes

Today, no country can afford to lag behind in scientific study, if it desires to keep its head above water. it is not possible for us to keep out of the current set in motion by science and scientific work done in other countries, even if we wished to do (1) so. We must, therefore, keep ourselves abreast of progress in the world at large. For that purpose, two aspects which to a layman like me appear to be rather distinct from each other in their practical application, have to be kept in view, One is research of a theoretical or (2) fundamental character, and the other is the application of the results of such fundamental research to the solution of the problems of every – day life and further, the spread of practical scientific knowledge in our daily life in the field, factory, or home, by every man and woman young or old, (3) rich or poor. The importance of theoretical or fundamental research cannot be exaggerated because the question of practical application of a theory can arise only after a theory is known. But, it is no refusal of its importance or value to say that the ordinary man is not greatly interested (4) in it. He is more concerned with the practical application of scientific knowledge. He enjoys a ride in an automobile. He is happy if the application of some practical scientific method helps him to produce a few maunds more than he usually does in his tiny little field. He is (5) happy if he is cured of a disease which was considered incurable. He is not much concerned in the detailed and deep scientific knowledge that has gone into the making and assembling of a motor-car, implements of agriculture, the pump for irrigation or the manure which has helped him in (6) growing more food or in the improved highly specialized method of diagnosis or treatment of diseases. Speaking on behalf of the ordinary man, I am interested in the results and practical application of scientific knowledge for bettering my life; and I would like to tell the distinguished scientist, if any (7) that I shall be satisfied only if our scientists give us practical solutions for our problems. The solutions, too, should be such as are not, considering my limited equipment and resources, beyond my capacity to understand and apply to a practical manner May I request you to fashion your work (8) so as to make its results easily acceptable to the ordinary man? I believe he is not without a certain fund of native intelligence and will as a matter of fact, accept and adopt the results of scientific knowledge, if once he feels convinced of their utility, and provided they (9) are not beyond his means and resources. Above all, these have to be made known to him in a simple, intelligible and practical way. I know all this may not be within the province of scientists and may necessitate action on the part of the state and private organizations to popularize scientific knowledge and its practical application.

15

Transcription :

16

Exercise : 1 10 Minutes

I am very happy to associate myself with this Annual Conference of the

Stenographers Association of Andhra Pradesh. At the outset, I am grateful to the

organizers for giving me an opportunity to meet you all and share some of my views.

As you all know yours is one of (1) the important professions. All the organizations

right from the private companies to public offices, Ministers, Lawyers, Judges etc.

need the services of the Stenographers. It would be rather impossible for them to

discharge their functions successfully without the help of the Stenographers. There

are a number of officials and non officials (2) who solely depend on their Personal

Assistants who happen to be Stenographers. In a number of cases the officers very

reluctantly permit their stenos to go on leave, as the services of the Stenographers

considered essential and very valuable. The Stenographers command great respect

both from the public (3) and the subordinate staff of the department in which they are

working. They are very influential also. There are a number of cases where the

officers misuse the services of their Stenos by entrusting Sundry works other than

their regular work. Some of the officers very often entrust outside duties (4) such as

purchase of air tickets, making train or bus reservations for their official as well as

personal trips, bank and post office works to their stenographers. This is nothing but

disrespecting the profession and also the person employed. I therefore strongly feel

that this conference should deliberate on some (5) of these issues and pass certain

resolutions which would enhance the status and prestige of the Stenographers. At the

same time I am very much worried about the professional performance of some of the

Stenographers. I am told that some Stenographers after they pass the examination and

get at job (6) discontinue their practice of shorthand. As a result, they are not able to

take down the dictations given by their bosses properly and reproduce correctly.

These officers are very much disappointed at the performance of their Stenographers

and many a time scold them also.

I therefore, appeal to you all (7) to request all your fellow Stenographers to be

in touch with the shorthand subject continuously, improve their professional

competence and thus earn good name from their officers. Another important issue is

lack of proficiency in English by some of the Stenographers. I have come across a

number of Stenos who commit silly grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes etc.

Sometimes it would be difficult to make out the sentences after transcription as most

17

of the words are either swallowed or wrongly written. On the other hand the

Stenographers should be in a position to correct the wrong English of their Officers.

Then (9) only they will be able to command good respect from the entire society. I

am also aware that the Government makes use of the services of the Stenographers

over and above the prescribed office hours. But they are paid less which does not

commensurate their hard work, the valuable time spent and the mental tension to

which they are subjected to. (10)

CHAPTER - 5 Transcription Drills @ 60 WPM


Collective life is inevitable and it is also necessary that every individual

should be fully conversant with the art of collective living. In the past there was no

necessity for an effort to achieve these three objectives or to maintain a balance of

them. But today it has become necessary to realize these objectives in his life. So, it

is that (1) in the past, people have been feeling in all parts of the world the urgent

necessity for a fundamental change in the existing educational system. In our country

there has been no change in the sphere of education. People here have no doubt been

thinking about this problem but I am afraid that so far there has been no outward (2)

effect worth mentioning of such thinking. It is true that our educational institutions

are fulfilling the first objective of education, but they are doing almost nothing to

realize the other two objectives of education. We have hardly any educational

institutions where an effort is sincerely made to make the individual efficient in

manual work to enable him to earn by (3) his own labour sufficient wealth to meet all

his needs. The result is that even those of our graduates who are quite good at talking

are now finding difficulty in making a place in life and often have to drink the bitter

cup of failure. We are in need of a larger number of skilled workers as compared in

more (4) scholars. We have to work right from now to realize these three objectives

and so we need today hundreds of thousands of skilled technicians. It is my sincere

view that our educational institutions should now start laying more emphasis on

technical skill. If this is done much of the imbalance in educational system would

disappear. There should be arrangements in (5) universities for every kind of research

and practically there should be arrangements for that type of research which is related

to problems of the region in which that university is situated. Our universities have

18

not so far assumed this role in our lives. But I am convinced they cannot succeed and

cannot be useful for our people without doing so. Dear Friend, I am glad you asked

me to advice about the opening of a bank account and I will gladly give you all the

help I can.

I understand that you are now paid monthly cheque and that you are

wondering how to deal with it. When you approach the manager of the bank he will

inform you (7) that there are two kinds of accounts namely a deposit and a current

account. The deposit account is for the person who wants to save. He pays his

money into the bank and leave it there as long as he can and receives interest for

doing so. The current account is quite different. It is used by those who have (8) a

sum of money in hand but who know that they will have to pay out at least a part of

this sum. Since the sum in the current account is intended to be drawn at any moment

and it cannot be used by the Bank for any other purpose, the Bank generally allows

less interest on current account than on (9) deposit account. You will find that making

your payments by cheque will be safer and cheaper than other methods, but for small

amounts of a few rupees you could still use postal orders. The cheque plays an

important part in business today. It would be difficult to pay money by post.

Please give your family my kind regards.

Yours faithfully, (10)

19

Transcription :

21

EXAMPLE : 2 10 Minutes

While taking dictation, ear and hand should work practically simultaneously

in order to secure the best results. When a wrong outline is written the student has to

ignore the fact and go on. If several outlines are wrongly written he has to reduce the

speed. One should have regular dictation practice to improve speed in Shorthand.

Particular attention should be (1) given to length, position writing and indication of

vowels of the outlines. Practice of an hour a day is better than two or even three hours

every alternate day. To improve the outlines one should have daily practice of

writing shorthand from a written English passage. The passage should be varied as

far as possible. Difficult words, if any, should (2) be practiced separately and they

should be noted down in a separate notebook. Marking of punctuation cannot be

overlooked.

Another important factor is concentration. While taking dictation the

mind should be calm and undisturbed. The student should have full concentration on

the passage. All this can be developed only through regular dictation practice. The

students should not be eager to (3) take the examination when his practice is not up to

the mark. Practice of Shorthand should not be examination oriented. Even if he fails

in the examination there is nothing to be disappointed. Failure is to be considered as

an opportunity to strive for perfection.

Even after the examinations are over it is good to have continuous

practice. Otherwise when he (4) takes up a job it will be difficult for him to cope

with the work. If he makes mistakes while transcribing the passage the officers will

form a poor impression of him. Therefore there is every need for regular practice of

Shorthand for all those who want to take up this profession. Apart from regular

practice in Shorthand, everyone must (5) develop the habit of reading some good

English books. This habit helps in developing good vocabulary, spelling and also

writing correct English. A person who wants to join this profession, should also

develop personal qualities like good manners, respect for others and sober

personality. All this makes a person an able, efficient and an outstanding

Stenographer.

Sir, With reference to your (6) letter I am to inform you that the matter has been

discussed in detail with my colleagues. We are of the opinion that it is not possible

for the Government to give permission to open a High School in your village for the

22

reasons mentioned below. There are two High Schools existing within a distance of

four miles of (7) your village. The present Upper Primary School does not have

adequate strength for the last three years. The present building of the School is hardly

sufficient for an Upper Primary School. As a matter of fact the local community has

not evinced any interest in developing the educational facilities of your village. We

could not succeed in creating interest among (8) the people of the village inspite of

our sincere efforts. However, we instruct the District Educational Officer to visit

your village once again and try to convince the people with regard to the need to

provide the necessary minimum facilities for starting a school. The Government is

also aware of the fact that if educational facilities are not provided (9) locally, the

student will be inconvenienced. But, at the same time, it is not possible for the

Government to provide all physical facilities that are necessary for starting a school.

It is, therefore, decided to communicate the final orders of the Government on receipt

of the report called for from the District Educational Officer.


23

Transcription :

25

Exercise – 1 10 Minutes

Good teachers who are interested in the welfare of the students, who have

enthusiasm for their subjects and are able to impart it to the pupils they form the

central framework of a University. Our commercial minded generation reserves its

respect for those who make money and so the best ability is drawn into

administration, business and the learned professions. (1) We have to realize that the

kind of education we provide for our children is determined overwhelmingly by the

kind of men and women we secure as teachers. The low esteem in which teachers

are held is the most eloquent evidence of the malady from which our society suffers.

We must get the right type of men for the teaching profession, and not the

incompetent and the unambitious. Respect for teachers cannot be ordered. It must be

earned by their wisdom. The next few years will be a testing time, more severe and

more exacting than we have known for many years. Political freedom which we won

at much cost and sacrifice is only an opportunity. It is not fulfillment. If we are to

develop a strong democracy, political, social and economic, it is necessary for us to

work hard and work unitedly. The ideal imposes on us a sacred responsibility. Men

are not made democratic by the more formulation of ideals in the constitution. They

are not made good by mere exhortation. Great ideals of justice, equality, fraternity

and freedom which we have inscribed in our constitution must be woven into the

social fabric. We must apply them to the numberless situations of our daily life.

Unfortunately the state of mind in which we found ourselves at the time of political

liberation is not marked by revolutionary fervour. The spirit of enjoyment has

prevailed over the spirit of sacrifice. We seem to demand more than what we give.

There is much evidence of low morale, dissatisfaction, discontent among people all

leading to serious slackness. We must overcome the spiritual sickness which seems

to be enfeebling our community. If we do not change our minds we cannot change

anything. A nation is built in its educational institutions.

Dear Sir, As a member of the local city council, may I draw your attention to the

number of complaints / which have been made to me in the past month in connection

with the dense clouds of black smoke which have been coming from the chimney

stack at your factory premises in the city. As you are no doubt aware it is an offence

for any firm to allow undue smoke to come from its factory chimney, and I should not

be at all surprised if you do not hear from the police authorities in connection with

26

this matter in the near future. It occurs to me, however, that you are probably not

aware of this nuisance as your offices are situated in a different part of the city. I

have pointed out to those who complained to me about this matter that I am sure you

would not willingly allow this state of affairs to continue. In view of the above

remarks, I feel sure that you will wish to investigate the complaint, and I shall be most

grateful if you will kindly let me know your feelings after you have had inquiries

made at the works. May I say that it is my intention to bring the matter to the notice of

my sub committee on the Council at their next meeting on August 2nd, if the smoke

nuisance is not cleared up before that date.

CHAPTER – 6

Transcription Drills @ 70 WPM


In olden times, Sanskrit achieved a significant position, being the language

spoken and understood by our religious guides and men of letters throughout India,

and in a way helped in saving the religious and cultural unity of the country. It is a

good sign that our country is even now striving constantly to keep up that unity.

During the last hundred and fifty years, for the sake of running the (1) administration,

the English language was in use as the common vehicle for exchange of ideas

between persons speaking the different languages of our country. English is however,

understood only by a limited number of persons who may be called well educated.

Therefore, in a vast country like India, where several languages, entirely different

from each other, are prevalent, it is very necessary that there should be one common

language for the (2) interchange of views and for keeping up health intercourse

amongst the people. There could be no difference of opinion in this matter. It is with

this object that the farmers of our constitution gave the significant status of national

language to Hindi. This is no manner, diminishes the importance of the State

languages. The states are free to run their administration in the State languages and

take all steps (3) for their development. Besides, all the State languages have

originated from Sanskrit and thus they are closely related to Hindi as well. Therefore

the improvement of one language is always supplementary to the development of the

other.

27

In a country in which more languages than one are spoken, it is but natural and

usual to have one common language for conducting the business of the State. No

multilingual country can (4) make adequate progress without having a common

language. Therefore it is very necessary for India, as well, to have a common

language which is Hindi, and to make it strong and advanced it should be adopted at

the University level for imparting higher education to students. The persons equipped

with masterly knowledge of Hindi will be eagerly sought for and employed when the

business among the various States and the (5) Centre will begin to be transacted

through Hindi. This mastery of language cannot be achieved unless higher education

is given through the Hindi medium. Therefore, to face this emergency we must now

start many Hindi medium colleges in the regions where Hindi is not spoken by the

people in any large numbers. This centre is taking all sorts of steps for the

development of Hindi so that it can be (6) used in all walks of life. In many of the

States, Hindi is a compulsory subject up to the High School stage. I am very happy to

note that your state is the foremost in these efforts to popularize Hindi.

Dear Sirs, While I thank you with all my heart for the continued support which you

are extending to us, I regret to note that for sometime now you have reduced (7) its

quantum. As you were kind enough to give us advertisements for about Rs. 500 a

month during the initial stages, I was fondly hoping that you would gradually

increase it. Instead of that, I find that there has been a reduction. I am giving every

ounce of my energy to strengthen this organization as an organ of independent

opinion, and unless good friends like you extend their full (8) co-operation and

support, I can hardly hope to succeed in my objective. As the moving spirit of the

leading industrial ventures in this place, it should not be difficult for you to kindly

give us advertisements for larger amounts. We would soon be completing the first

year of our existence and with the purchase of a fast printing machine, which we hope

to effect in the near future, we expect (9) to forge further ahead. It is at this crucial

period in the life of our journal your generous support is most needed. With your

critical and imaginative approach to life and its problems, you would, I am sure,

appreciate the spirit in which I am pleading not merely for the restoration of the cut in

the quantum of your advertisements but also for doubling it.

Thanking you, Yours sincerely,(10)

28

Transcription :

30


Time plays an important part in every action of every person throughout the

day, yet time is something about which we know very little and about which we

understand even less. If, in our desire to understand a little better the real meaning of

time, we read a modern book on the subject, it is probably the experience of many of

us that we understand it even less at the (1) end of our reading than at the beginning

that we know, indeed, very little about the world in which we live. We read, for

example, that everything that has been still is, that everything which is to come in the

future already exists. We read that the events which make up life or like the stations

along the railway line. A train is running along that line towards one of (2) these

stations. It reaches the station, it perhaps waits there for a very little while, and then

it passes on, leaving the station behind it. But the station existed before the train

reached it and it continues to exist after the train has left it. In the same way, it is

said, the things which happen in life are there all the time, waiting for us to reach

them. We (3) reach them and experience them and pass on, leaving them behind us.

According to the writers of these modern books, these events existed before we knew

of them and will continue to exist when we ourselves are no more. They will exist, in

fact, for as long as anything as we understand it exists.

We read these statements and think carefully about them, and at first it seems

that the (4) statements cannot be true, that we cannot seriously be expected to believe

them. Then, perhaps, we remember some of the things we were told as children and

which we have always believed to be true. As children we learned that many of the

little points of light which appeared above us at night are really great bodies which

are millions of miles away from the earth. Light, we were told, (5) moves at the rate

of about 186,000 miles a second, but so far distant are these bodies from us that the

light which we see coming from them is the light which left them thousands, and in

some cases millions, of years ago. Because of this fact, we learned, if we could

discover some method by which our eyes could see what was happening on (6) one of

these distant bodies, we should see not what is happening today but what was

happening ages and ages ago. If people something like ourselves lived on those little

points of light and if they could see what was happening on our earth they, looking at

us today, would see not what is happening now but what happened thousands or

31

millions of years ago, according to the (7) distance they are away. But even when we

remember these facts it is for most of us difficult to get more than the smallest

suggestion of an idea of what is meant when we are told that everything that has been

still is and always will be. It is difficult to believe that there will always be

somewhere the picture of you as you sit reading these words.

If we (8) think of sound it helps us to understand this point a little better. We

see a movement very much more quickly than we hear the sound resulting from that

movement, for sound comes to us at only 1,100 feet a second as against the 186,000

miles a second of light. Let us say that I live half a mile from a big (9) manufacturing

plant, so that the sounds which come to me from the plant reach me about two and a

half seconds after the sounds were in fact made. Let us say also that you live another

half a mile down the road, away from the plant. You would hear the same sounds two

and a half seconds after I heard them, that is five seconds after they were made so.

(10)

32

Transcription :

34

Exercise : 1 10 Minutes Ladies and Gentlemen, First of all, I would like to thank the Organisers of the seminar for inviting me

to this function and having given me an opportunity to express my views about

environmental pollution. There is an increasing emphasis on protecting environment

from pollution in these days of advanced technology. Industrial growth, no doubt, is

good for the economy. But, at the same time, its side effects like air and water

pollution are harmful. Pollution (1) through risky industries may affect the entire

environment. We have examples of the gas leakage evils of two big cities with us.

The pressure of growing population has also added largely to the problem of

pollution. Human beings have become more and more separate from nature. The

area covered by forests is being reduced and many plants have vanished for ever

thereby nature’s balance is affected.

Ganga, which is supposed (2) to be holy river of India now needs cleaning as

its water is polluted and is considered to be not fit for either bathing or drinking.

Ganga is polluted because a number of big or small industries have come up on its

banks. Industries are not only polluting water by letting off their wastes into the river

but they are polluting air by their lead and dangerous wastes. Industries cause (3) air

pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. With all these, environment suffers.

Many of the industries in urban areas are situated in the midst of most populated

areas, thereby mankind gets affected. Air is polluted by big chemical industries.

The pollution problem is not limited to a particular country or region, but is a

world problem. The air pollution is mainly due to the discharge of industrial wastes

and discharge (4) of motor vehicle smoke. Motor industry is a major source of

wastes. Besides dangerous gases the industries will also add lead to air. This causes

health danger and the outcome of diseases like cold. The air that an Indian takes in is

polluted. The growth in industrialization and emissions of motor vehicles is adding

smog to the atmosphere. In addition to plant damage and possible health problems,

smog also causes (5) other severe problems.

Further, it may have to be noted that the present day agricultural practices

have upset the nature’s balance causing major changes in the nature’s system. Air is

polluted by bacteria and inserts. Wrong use of fertilizers and introduction of high

35

yielding varieties have made the matter still worse. Human waste is another

important cause of nature’s pollution. The particular health dangers of wrong waste

disposal are soil (6) pollution, water pollution etc. Environment is getting more

polluted by bad public toilet facilities in almost all cities of India. Thus problem of

pollution is reaching dangerous levels. Rivers have been carrying all the town’s

wastes and discharges. State’s river is the best example for this. The major industries

that are causing pollution include cement as well as consumer goods.

Environment protection has become necessary for people’s existence and safe

(7) living. A knowledge has to be created among people about this. It is to be noted

that economic development should not be at the cost of environment. In India, the

department of environment has set up a Research Committee to look into the problem.

Pollution control standards are to be necessarily followed. Every one of us should

think and act in this regard.

Dear Mr. Raman, This is with reference (8) to your fire Insurance Policy on

your property located near Race Course Road, Bangalore. In continuation of my

earlier letter, I would like to remind you that your policy will expire on Twenty First

August, this year.

Since my company has carried the insurance on this property for the last

Twenty Five years of your mother’s life, I should like to renew it on the three year

basis for which (9) it was earlier covered.

You will appreciate that the present policy covers Rupees Twelve Lakhs on

the house, Rupees One Lakh on garage and Rupees Two Lakhs on the furniture. I

hope that without any further doubt you will like to increase the valuation. I am

asking for the privilege of renewing this policy. Assuring you of our best service

always. Yours very truly, (10)

36

CHAPTER – 7 Transcription Drills @ 80 WPM


It is my privilege to be with you this morning. I wanted to be here with you

for a longer time but unfortunately I cannot remain here for long because of other

work. I did not know that four sessions will be held today and I have to discharge

certain formalities everywhere. I have not come here just to take part in this formality

but to draw your attention to the responsibility that you owe to the nation and to (1)

society. All of us are important persons dealing with the most vital sector of our

society. The biggest asset of our nation is manpower, not treasury, not industry, not

wealth. It is manpower that matters in a country like India. The people of this

country can do wonders provided we are able to motivate them. This power cannot

come till we give them confidence and trust about their future. The masses should

have the confidence that whatever they generate in (2) the form of wealth will not be

used for the pleasure of a chosen few but for building a new future for their children.

Whatever wealth we have is all created not because of the hard work of the scientists

or because of the managing capacity of the industrialists but because of the hard work

of the masses in fields and factories. This is the only way to create wealth. Nature

has bestowed something upon us and whenever human beings (3) make use of it,

wealth is created for the benefit of mankind. But it is unfortunate that all over the

world, and more so in our society, those who create wealth are not allowed to get its

benefits.

The masses, the poorer sections of society remain exploited and are oppressed

even today. This has been the cause of social tensions in many areas. Poverty itself is

a curse, but poverty also becomes an irritating factor, because people can tolerate

absolute (4) poverty but not relative poverty. Those who work hard do not get the

basic minimum needs of their life and those who do not work get all the benefits of

society. Hence there are growing social tensions in society. If we see the tribal areas

of India, there is unrest. We have to decide whether we are going to change our

attitude in dealing with those problems with understanding, compassion and

sympathy and try to change our policy according to (5) the urges and aspirations of

these masses. Are we going to silence them by using the coercive power of the state?

37

So far, the tendency has been to use the coercive power of the State to silence the

demands of the masses mercilessly. In a democratic society this is a counter

productive measure. And if I can say so, it is a self defeating attitude which

sometimes even proves to be suicidal.

Societies which do not change themselves in tune (6) with the wishes and

urges of the masses, ultimately get destroyed. Societies are not changed by changes

in the constitution. Societies are not changed through laws of parliament. Societies

sometimes change when those people who are the arbiters of the destiny of the poorer

sections do not respond to their urges. This is why I said in the very beginning that

you are dealing with a very vital sector of this country. Vital, because labour is the

strength of today. (7)

Dear Sir, I understand that you wish to have a reliable representative in this city

having a good reputation in the export trade, willing to act as agent for your

productions. If this is correct, I shall be happy to offer you my services in this

capacity. You may possibly know I do a large business in all branches of your class

of goods, and as I have been in this trade for nearly twenty years, I have many

valuable (8) customers.

For the past four years I have been an agent for a firm engaged in keen

competition with you. This firm has recently decided to open up their own branch in

Bombay. I have, therefore, had a wide experience in selling the kind of goods you

produce and my efforts to compete with your goods in the past should result in my

being able to push them to greater advantage in the near future. I believe you are

aware (9) what is possible for production against rival manufactures in certain

quarters. In any case I am quite confident I can do a large business for you, as I have

been doing all along for the firm mentioned above. I shall be happy to know if my

offer meets your needs in any way and if so, will you let me know the terms and

conditions upon which you would be willing to enter into an agreement with me.

Yours faithfully. (10)

38

Transcription :

40

Exercise : 1 10 Minutes Let me now share with you some thoughts on how we look at science and

technology. Let me assure you of our deep commitment to science. Keeping in view

the overall economic and industrial policies, we would like an enhanced stress on

application and industrially oriented research. In that long run, this will help the

scientific community itself because the main source of funding in the developed

world is industry whereas in India less than about thirteen percent of overall national

expenditure on research and development is derived form the private sector industry.

We are committed to local technology development. That is the reason why we are

wanting scientists and industrialists to join together to take major projects of

commercial significance and importance. I am happy to note that the response is

positive. I cannot see how India can develop into a global player in the international

market place unless our technologies are indigenous. If we do not brace ourselves to

the challenge of indigenous technology development, I am afraid that our scientists

and technical personnel would turn into no more than a labour force of the industries

of the other nations. We do not have accept that eventuality at all. We do not be

deterred by the ocean of the market place if only we can manage the technologies

which are like the streams that flew into the ocean. And where do these rivers come

from ? The basic scientific efforts constitute the springs from which arise the

technological rivers. And this is where my hope arises from. We are all aware of the

excellent track record of Indian scientists and their sustained world class

achievements in basic research in several fields like mathematics, physics, chemistry,

life sciences and engineering sciences. In addition, a number of studies were taken up

by different researchers in varied subjects in different parts of the country. Our

science has been internally competitive and naturally therefore our technologies can

also be. But they are not at the moment. Let us face it. This is the basis for my hope

of the future of our technological growth. I realize that signal achievement have been

registered despite severe constraints in infrastructure like power supply, water

supply, instrumentation or other facilities. I know that, often, it is only the

excitement of science that has kept a large number of our scientists extraordinarily

motivated. I am also aware that rapid achievements in the world scene. We will try to

do all we can do to promote basic research in a way that the assets that we have come

to possess over the years become sources of ever growing capital, that our science

41

truly functions like the springs from which emerge new technologies and thereby

marketable products and processes. The chain has to be connected and strengthened.

There is much to be done in the sphere of establishing connections. We have on the

one hand the scientific department, scientific agencies and the scientific institutions in

the academic system. On the other, there are the socio economic ministries and

public sector industry laboratories. The technological goals of the socio economic

sector and the scientific expertise of the Science and Technology sector need to be

closely connected. This we have been saying for a long time. We have said this

when we made the New Education Policy.

Dear Sir, The cheque dated 1st October, 92 issued by you for ten thousand

rupees in favour of Sri Prasad, Office Secretary of Nehru Co-operative House

Building Society has been presented for payment today. But the outstanding balance

in your savings bank account with us is only five thousand five hundred rupees. You

may remember that it is not the first time for you to present cheques for higher

amounts than the amount available for payment from your account. On more than

one occasion in the past, we have honoured your cheques presented for higher

amounts than the amounts available at the credit of your account. We have been

accommodating you because of your social standing and your stable financial

position. But, we regret to inform you that repetition of drawing cheques for amounts

not available at credit is not well taken by our higher authorities. When this position

was brought to your notice, of course, you immediately deposited some amounts into

your account covering the deficit. You remember you have also promised to keep

always sufficient balance in your account to meet the requirements of payments

through cheques. In spite of the assurance given another cheque has been presented

today to our surprise. We have also to inform you that the cheque issued in your

favour for Rs. 5000/- by the Universal Traders and presented for collection has not

yet been collected and credited.


42

CHAPTER – 8

PRACTICE OF LITHOGRAPHS

A : Transcription from Shorthand to Longhand (200 Words Passages)

Example : 1 Read, copy & Transcribe

43

Transcription :

Teaching is one of the oldest and noblest professions. The teacher is a friend,

philosopher and guide to a student. (For) A teacher to be successful it is not only enough

if he or she delivers his or her goods properly. A teacher should understand the

temperament of a student. A sound knowledge of Educational Psychology is essential for

it. Educational Psychology is a branch of psychology that helps to understand the

developmental characteristics of a learner. It varies according to the age of the learner.

The relation between the teacher and the learner is very important for a teacher to be

successful. Hence it becomes necessary for a teacher to have some knowledge on

educational psychology. A teacher might gain this knowledge by experience but for a

young teacher it becomes necessary to undergo some student psychology courses or

seminars. As the job of teacher is to produce good citizens for the country every

institution should organize such courses or seminars. This will greatly help a teacher to

read the mind of a student and to identify a student of less mental power and guide him in

the right path. Such a guidance will help the student to improve in all ways and be a

better citizen which is the real success of a teacher.

44

Example : 2 Read, Copy & Transcribe

45

Transcription : Last year a grand exhibition was held in our town. My friends and I went to see it one

evening. Our first expression on entering the grounds was that the whole thing looked like

a fairy-land. The vast space was decorated in magnificent, bright and gay colours and lilt

up with countless lights. Men and women in their best holiday clothes were moving from

corner to corner admiring the beauty of all kinds of stalls set up. These stalls were like

small shops and they had for show or for sale such goods as cloth, both ordinary and

fancy, household furniture, various types of machinery, musical instruments and

numerous articles for daily use, all showing labels “Made in India”.

While the stalls made a very interesting sight, what attracted us most was the

children’s corner in the exhibition which was crowded with boys and girls. All types of

amusements could be seen here, such as merry-go-round, giant wheel, railway train and

other things. In each of these, children and some grown-ups even were seated and were

having a most thrilling and exciting time. I too had my share of fun with my friends and

returned home after enjoying a most delightful evening.

46

Example – 3 Read, Copy and Transcribe

47

Transcription :

I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to this Annual General Meeting of your

Company. It is a matter of great regret that for the first time in the history of our

company, we had to postpone the Annual General Meeting on account of some labour

problems. It is not unusual to have labour disputes in an industrial society. However, our

relations with labour all these long years have been extremely cordial. It is in this context

that I feel personally very unhappy over the fact of having to postpone the meeting.

Your directors’ report as well as the audited statement of accounts are already in

your hands. The profits of the company as a whole are somewhat lower than that of last

year. This is explained mostly by the trouble we had in our textile operations due to the

severe power crisis and also labour trouble particularly in the textile units. The working

in other units has been satisfactory.

In my address to you in October last I had outlined the problems and opportunities

facing the nation. A large nation like India will always have quite a few problems.

EXERCISE – 1 (Read, Copy & Transcribe)

48

EXERCISE – 2 (Read, Copy & Transcribe)

49

B : Transcription from English to Shorthand

(Passage of 200 Words) Example – 1 Write the following passages in Shorthand :

I consider it a great honour to be invited to speak to you all on the occasion of the tenth Anniversary of this great institution. I consider the occasion more important because it tallies with the Silver Jubilee celebrations of this institution. I was a witness to the starting of this institution which has now grown so much that it would be difficult to recognise to recognise its beginning, and it will be agreed by all that the starting and strengthening of this institution have been mainly due to the hard work of my friend. Of course, I do not want to give less attention for those who assisted him in this great work. I have no doubt in my mind that this institution would not have come into being, had it not been for the great interest taken by the Chairman. I congratulate all the students who have been awarded with the diplomas and certificates. I hope that the learning they have acquired in this institution will be properly used. The advice given at the end of the giving of the diplomas and certificates has been very appropriate. The persons have undertaken to act up to that advice. Transcription : Read & Practice

50

Example – 2 Write the following passage in Shorthand :

It is agreed by all that among all the tastes, the taste for reading is the best and the highest. It is not that everyone possesses this taste. The few that have cultivated this taste for reading make the best of their life. The taste for reading requires books for its satisfaction. These books can be had in a library, either private or public. It is not possible for anyone to keep a private library and to buy all the books that he wishes to read. The public library is the only place for him. It is the resort of scholars, an asylum where they forget themselves and the world in the joy of reading.

The taste for reading is not a gift of nature. It is to be inculcated in early years and cultivated as one grows up. This is the work of the parents at home, the work of the teachers at school. The proper atmosphere is necessary which prompts one to read. Advice may not succeed, but the influence of the atmosphere will be an urge for reading. Books should be arranged in an attractive way. All the illustrated periodicals should be displayed in a tempting manner. Transcription : Read & Practice

51

Example – 3 Write the following passage in Shorthand.

A suggestion has been made that the expenditure incurred in the purchase of

equipments should be paid by the insurance company. The question remains whether

such an approach is the real solution for the problem and would it help growth of industry

based on indigenous technologies.

Formation of a separate public sector to evaluate all the indigenous technologies

relevant to the small scale industry and offer them as total packages including demand

status, project reports, up scaling, pilot plant back up, engineering procurement and a

solution to the problems of small scale industrialists taking indigenous technologies. In

making this suggestion, the magnitude and variety of receipt and despatch programme

does not seem to have been considered. Would it be possible for one public sector may

seem more to build all the expertise required for such a massive task? It has been the

experience that some existing public sector enterprises with their experience and

infrastructure attempted to do this exercise in the past, but, were not quite successful.

There is also feeling that a single window project would solve all the problems of

small scale industries. None seems to be in favour of forming a high powered apex body

which would evaluate all the technologies.

52

Transcription : Read & Practice

53

EXERCISE - 1 Write the following passage in Shorthand :

It may be five or six years ago that I last came here to this annual function and I

am grateful to you for inviting me again and giving me this opportunity of meeting you

and from you what you have in your minds. Not only I, but my colleagues in the Central

Government as well as this government (as well as this Government) are always eager to

meet and discuss such matters as affect you and us in the Government. My colleagues,

the Finance Minister and the Minister for Commerce and Industry, who perhaps have

more to deal with you than some other ministers in the Government of India, I am sure

will always welcome these opportunities. I say this because in the course of your address,

Sir, you somehow appeared to feel that you were not given as many opportunities for

consultation as perhaps you wished to have. It may be occasionally that this has not been

possible or easy but we accept entirely the principle of consultation in as a large measure

as possible. But you must remember that there is an essential difference in the working of

the present government and the governments prior to independence in this country.

EXERCISE - 2 Write the following passage in Shorthand :

The common understanding of the concept of teaching is causing to learn. Teaching is a

process through which a teacher puts his best efforts to help his students become what he

wants them to be. To teach in simple words, is to help or guide one’s learning. In the

process of teach-learn, to teach is to pass on information, to develop a zest for lifelong

and to help the pupils become students. Teaching as a skill is a multi-dimensional act or

behaviour of a teacher in the teaching-learning situation. The teaching skill is therefore a

set of teacher’s behaviour which are specially effective and important in bringing out

desired changes in the learner. It enables pupils learning directly or indirectly. Teaching

in general answers through questions relating to teacher behaviour in the process of

teaching-learning. They are: How do teachers behave, why do they behave as they do,

and what are the effects. This clarifies the concept of teaching and should apply to all

teachers, to all students, to all subject matter, to all situations, both in and out of the

classroom in which teaching may take place and learning occurs.

54

CHAPTER - 9 PRECIS WRITING

The word ‘precis’ (pronounced ‘pressee’) is derived from the french word.

‘precis’ writing is also called “epitomisation”. Precis means a brief summary of the given

passage, the length of the summary should be one third the length of the original passage.

Nowadays for VIPs and Business Executives time is precious and “Time management” is

equally important for them. They may not find time to go through pages and pages,

hence they depend on Personal Secretaries for a brief presentation of what is submitted.

Précis writing is an art of ‘condensation’. It insists on economy of words.

Guidelines for effective précis writing :

• Read the passage carefully and note down the numbers of words.

• Make a list of important points and attempt a rough draft. Rough draft enables the

candidate to make additions and omissions.

• Avoid : Repetition of ideas, examples, illustrations, quotations, figures of speech,

etc.,

• One should not use too many clauses and phrases from the original passage. The

précis should be one’s own.

• Use indirect speech, even if the original passage is in the direct speech or first

person.

• Don’t add your own comments. This is not an essay.

• Suggest a suitable title to the passage. The title should be brief.

• The length of the précis should be checked up. Ten words more or less than the

required numbers in not a serious lapse.

• Write the main draft.

EXAMPLE : 1 - ATTEMPT A PRECIS OF THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE

The student’s opportunities for learning can be increased and enhanced by using a

wide range of instructional aids. All the available resources for instruction including the

teacher can work together to create favourable conditions for maximum effective

learning. Television as an instructional aid can play a useful role in accomplishing the

goals of effective teaching and systematic learning. To grasp the full significance of

these possibilities we must think of television, a useful teaching aid to take its place

55

alongside to the others we have. We must think of it as a possible basic device around

which the areas of the curriculum might be built. Sometimes when one uses the

television medium extensively he comes to realize that an approach to education is not as

fantastic as it might appear.

Television could cover history in the making with up-to-the minute subject

in image and sound depicted and heard simultaneously by pupils. Televised broadcasts

can be filmed and thus other films can be telecast repeatedly and at will. By means of

live programmes pupils can know the great personalities of the day in a much more

intimate way. Expressions of face and eyes can be exactly noted. This sensation of

immediacy and actuality causes the pupils receiving the programme to realize that they

are seeing and hearing life in the making. Much subject matter can be lifted for the

average pupil from that which is abstract and dull to that which is concrete and

challenging. All of these possibilities however imply that teachers should be prepared to

use television more extensively along with other learning aids.

An increasing number of youngsters in Indian schools are in classrooms where the

teaching is far below the minimum professional standards. Many thousands of others are

in classes that are over – sized. This rising tide of neglected youngsters combined with

the persistently increasing educational costs is going to bring great pressure from all sides

for some kind of action in the years to come. If we consider the extensive potential of the

television medium against the growing crisis in the Indian schools it seems quite obvious

that educators generally must explore the educational potentials of this amazing new

medium. If limited experiment shows that through television the influence of outstanding

teachers can be extended into classrooms where there is mediocre or downright poor

teaching then, it will be difficult for educators to resist the application of this new

medium in the classroom. Teachers must face the inevitable fact that as the problem of

classroom and teacher shortage grow in intensity there will be increased pressure to try

methods and adopt new procedures and techniques. If television is as effective as it

seems to be then we cannot expect the teachers to accept continuous postponement of its

use in basic educational horizons.

56

ROUGH DRAFT : 450x1/3=150 Words

• Instructional aids and resources like the television and the teacher provide

favourable learning conditions to the students

• . Our curriculum could be designed with the television as an important teaching

aid.

• Television can play a useful role in fulfilling the objectives of effective teaching

and systematic learning. With its image and sound effects.

• Live telecasts provide an opportunity of seeing and hearing directly.

• Much subject matter can be transferred from the abstract to the concrete.

• Pupils can come to know of great personalities and feel motivated.

• A lesson which cannot be easily explained, can be made easy through the

television.

• Teachers who wish to improve their professional standards can watch lectures of

outstanding teachers.

• The problem of oversized classes and educational costs could be solved by

introducing this new medium of television.

• Educators should explore the potential of this new experiment.

• Teacher shortage can be solved through tele-education programmes. It will

supplement mediocre teaching.

• Hence, the introduction of television can’t be postponed any longer as it provides

a chance to experiment with new techniques and technologies. (175 words)

MAIN DRAFT :

Title : Tele – Education

Instructional aids and resources like the television and the teacher provide favourable

learning conditions to the students. Our curriculum could be designed with the television

as an important teaching aid. Television can play a useful role in teaching and systematic

learning. Live telecasts provide an opportunity of seeing and hearing directly. Much

subject matter can be transferred from the abstract to the concrete. Pupils can come to

know of great personalities and feel motivated. A lesson which cannot be easily

explained, can be made easy through the television. Teachers who wish to improve their

57

professional standards can watch lectures of outstanding teachers. The problem of

oversized classes and costs could be solved by introducing this new medium of television.

Teacher shortage can be solved through tele-education programmes. It will supplement

mediocre teaching. Hence, the introduction of television can’t be postponed any longer as

it provides a chance to experiment with new techniques and technologies. (154 words)

EXAMPLE : 2 ATTEMPT A PRECIS OF THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that everyone has the right

to education and that it shall be directed to the full development of the human personality.

But the road from the proclamation to the achievement, is long and arduous and beset

with many difficulties. All those concerned with education, educators, parents,

authorities, in fact all those who have their country’s future at heart realize this and feel

responsible for the success or failures of the education service because what is at stake is

not only the fate of individual persons but the fate of society and the nation. We can not

deny that tremendous progress has been made in education in India, despite the shortage

of financial resources and the dearth of teachers. But laudable as these efforts may be the

extension of education to the greatest possible number of young people inevitably results

in quality becoming subordinate to quantity. In India today we have totally lost track of

quality in almost every facet of national life and most of all in education. We have

schools bursting at the seams, inflamed classes chain production teaching (one session in

the morning, another in the afternoon) methods by which pupils are condemned to listen

to assimilate, to imitate to learn, by heart and to recite.

Prospective employers hesitate to take them in, frustrations set in, politics takes

over and we have riotous scenes witnessed almost every day in one or another of our

cities, of students out on the rampage, out to destroy everything, including themselves,

regardless of morals or values of any kind. Is this education ? Of course, our educational

system is largely to blame. We have inherited the British educational system and

attempted to make it work for a tradition bound, culturally diverse society, when what is

necessary is an educational curricula sensitive to geographical areas and cultures which

will catalise this traditional society into a modern one. Short time of diploma course

should be available at colleges or technical institutes for a variety of skills necessary for

the myriad kinds of jobs and fields of work that are mushrooming, every day. These

could include advertising journalism, beauty culture, dramatic arts, photography,

occupational therapy, printing technology and book binding, tailoring and design,

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clothing manufacture, laundry and dry cleaning, painting and decorating, pottery making

and many more, where students could learn the skills and then join on as apprentices or

be encouraged to set up their own enterprises. When learning is so directed, young

people feel they have a goal to follow and effort and achievement come less painfully.

Teaching too must be made more meaningful and qualitative, allowing for the

varying aptitudes of the pupils.

ROUGH DRAFT : 450x1/3=150 Words

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaim that every one has a right to

education, but its achievement is beset with problems.

All those concerned with education feel responsible for it, because it is concerned

with the fate of society and the nation.

Despite shortage of financial resources and teachers, there has been a tremendous

progress made in education in India.

Today, we have totally lost quality in education and many schools teach pupils to

imitate and by heart.

Students go on the rampage destroying everything regardless of morals and

values. Prospective employers refuse to take them in.

Short time courses should be available to sensitize students for various kinds of

jobs such as journalism, dramatic arts etc.,

Students, who join as apprentices are to be encouraged to set up enterprises on

their own.

When there is a direction in learning young people feel motivated and the

achievement comes on its own.

Teaching should be meaningful and qualitative to accommodate aptitudes of

pupils.

(163 words)

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MAIN DRAFT :

Title : Quality Education

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaim that every one has a right to

education, but its achievement is beset with problems. All those concerned with education

feel responsible for it, because it is concerned with the fate of society. Despite shortage of

financial resources and teachers, there has been a tremendous progress in education in

India. Today, we have totally lost quality in education and many schools teach pupils to

imitate and by heart. Students go on the rampage destroying everything regardless of

morals and values. Prospective employers refuse to take them in. Short time courses

should be available to sensitize students for various kinds of jobs such as journalism,

dramatic arts, etc., Students, who join as apprentices are to be encouraged to set up

enterprises on their own. When there is a direction in learning for young people the

achievement comes on its own. Teaching should be meaningful and qualitative to

accommodate aptitudes. (155 words)

EXERCISE : 1

Attempt a pricis of the following passage in about one third of its length and suggest a suitable title:

India is facing the problem of unemployment in a big way. To make the situation

worse there is paucity of capital resources and the unemployed cannot start their own

industries. Small scale industry can provide the necessary solution. Small scale

enterprises, according to the definition given by the Government, is an undertaking with a

fixed capital investment in plant and machinery not more than Rs. 10 lakhs irrespective of

the number of the persons employed. These are generally divided into two main types of

small scale enterprises and cottage industries. In the latter there is the greater use of the

manual process. Moreover cottage industries are considered to be almost entirely

household enterprises deriving their raw materials from local sources and sell most of

their products in the local markets. So these are rural, localized and technically backward.

In the earlier stages these grew around main commercial centres, mainly producing

consumer’s goods. The second World War caused a spurt in demand so more industries

60

to expand at present there are more than four lakh industries of this type showing a gross

output of six thousand crores.

The industries play an important role in the Indian economy. There are thirty

industrial products which are produced only in the small scale industrial sector. And

there are fifty four industrial products in which small scale sector accounts for fifty

percent of the total industrial production. These industries have generated employment

for nearly 70 lakh people. Still these industries have been a subject of controversy. The

Industrial Policy Resolution, while emphasizing the role of cottage industries pointed out

that they provide immediate large scale employment, they offer a method of ensuring a

more equitable distribution of the national income and facilitate an effective mobilization

of capital resources and still which might otherwise remain unutilized. It further pointed

out that some of the problems that unplanned urbanization tends to create will be avoided

by the establishment of small centres of industrial production all over the country.

Small scale industries are considered to be labour-generating and create more

employment per unit of capital employed. But some have challenged the validity of this

arrangement. They say, employment should not be created for its own sake rather

maximum and the most profitable use of the capital should be made. But if the

productivity does not increase it is not possible to generate more employment. The

income generated in a large numbers of small enterprises is dispersed more widely. On

the other hand large scale industries encourage concentration of economic power. Apart

from it as the small enterprises are proprietary or partnership concerns the relation

between the workers and the employers are cordial.

EXERCISE : 2

Attempt a pricis of the following passage in about one third of its length and suggest a suitable title: At the sixty sixth Indian Economic Conference in December last Dr. A.M.

Khusro of the Planning Commission claimed that our anti poverty programmes have

been rightly conceived and attributed shortfalls to faulty implementation. Before we

examine this thesis in some depth, a couple of general considerations seem relevant.

First, the way a job is done is determined by policy objectives as well as the manner of

plan formulation and execution. Second, poverty alleviation would be automatic as a by-

pro-duct of self generating development; and properly speaking, there can be no

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development, except on the basis peculiar to each community to help themselves which

poverty specific rhetoric and ad-hoc measures can never achieve. Why otherwise has our

poverty grown ?

Our economic policy ignored basic structural characteristics of our economy

which is predominantly agrarian, the bulk of the poor being rural, with no or too little

land for their own subsistence needs. The only remedy is to provide more land and more

resources and a technology to increase mass productivity to meet basic needs. To support

larger population and to provide rural solutions to urban problems. The urban bias in our

planning was based on an unhistorical notion that a substantial increase in our capital

stock was a necessary condition for economic advance (whereas these facilities are best

built up as the economy expands). The concept was sought to be rationalized by saying

that production goes before distribution-that is the exploitation of the poor is assumed to

be necessary to increase production. It was hoped that the rural economy would advance

by the trickledown effects of the growth process. This too could not have happened,

because the Mahalanobis strategy implied the investment of the bulk of the incremental

income from development in capital goods, rather than in raising the consumption levels

of the poor.

No one can deny that the urban bias set up the most significant competition for

resources between the urban and rural economy, with a continuing self propelled bias to

the former. This bias needs to be redressed not merely for redistribution with growth;

indeed, it is hard to see how an economy can flourish if two thirds of the population have

virtually no purchasing power beyond subsistence. To worsen the lot of the poor, high

yielding variety we went in for, gave the rich farmer a commercial bias to agricultural

development. In time, the elite urban rural acquired a vested interest in the continuation

of poverty which is understandable as politicians and bureaucrats nearly always respond

politically and seldom, initiate morally.

The Mahalanobis strategy failed to relate agricultural development

comprehensively to the entire economy and missed the primacy of a substantial increase

in the production of basic wage goods which the poor consume.

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MODEL QUESTION PAPER - 1 PAPER – II : SHORTHAND (PRACTICALS)

Time : 1 ½ Hours Max. Marks : 50

Answer the following Questions :

1. Transcribe the following passage from Shorthand to Longhand (200 Words) :

15 Marks

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2. Transcribe the following passage from English to Shorthand (200 Words) : 10 Marks

Sometimes we think that a particular view is beneficial to the people. But there

are people holding other views. In this matter we have to carry the people with us. We

cannot ignore the views of others. We have to find a solution which is acceptable to all

and it does not weaken our democratic structure or our national unity. The question of

language generates emotion and anger. If a proper solution is found language can be a

force for national unity and national progress.

Two years ago our leaders put forward a proposal that education up to the

University level should be in the mother tongue so that the benefits of education could

reach everyone and the talents of the people could find a natural outlet. Can we achieve

this? Even a good proposal sometimes contains the seeds of danger. It is feared that this

proposal might encourage separatism. This proposal could definitely prove beneficial if

there is a link language which can bind the people together and thus help maintain

national unity. Similarly there is need to maintain links with the world. We cannot afford

to leave in isolation in the present day world. It will prove harmful to our interests.

3. Attempt a pricis of the following passage in about one third of its length and suggest a suitable title (450 Words) : 15 Marks Conservation and utilization of soil and water resources are closely inter-related.

Soil conservation connotes not only protection of soil material against loss or damage, but

also maintenance and improvement of its fertility and in general, its productivity for

material welfare. Conservation of water and its judicious exploitation require systematic

and organized effort. In this process, forests, vegetation in general, water-sheds and

storage reservoirs play a vital role. Soil, water and vegetation interact each other, and are

conditioned by climatic factors, nature of soil, topography and their management.

Monsoons and their vagaries subject the land to floods and droughts with disastrous

results. Kerala with cultivated undulating plains and irregular hill ranges, intersected by

paddy area in the valleys, and traversed by rivers, today presents a glaring example of

such deleterious results. The latest landslip in Wynaad is the recent one.

Acute shortage of food grains, immediately after the Second Would War, caused

by their non availability from neighbouring countries, forced the States to introduce food

production schemes to meet their internal requirement. The Grow More Food Campaign,

thus initiated in the former Travancore and Cochin States, created opportunities for

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people to encroach into forest lands for cultivation purposes. The large influx of people,

indiscriminate destruction of forest wealth, indifferent soil management practices for

cultivation of paddy and tapioca along hill slopes, and intense precipitation during

monsoons, accelerated soil erosion with all its fury. The campaign continued unabated

for some years. Soil fertility was lost. Economic productivity diminished. Deep gullies

were formed along hill slopes. Patent rocks were exposed. All these disasters went

unnoticed. Soil survey to determine the physical, chemical and other relevant characters

of soils as part of the landscape with a view to classifying them into categories, delineate

their boundries on maps and to indicate their suitability for different types of land use,

particularly the production of crops and response to cultural treatments has to be

undertaken. Soil type is defined from consideration of the genesis of that soil. Basic soil

survey; not only gives information on the characteristics of soils and their present land

use, but also helps an understanding of the potentialities of improvement and how erosion

hazards can be tackled. Results of treatment of a particular soil type, or its phase are

applicable to all soils having the same characters. Additional information required for

any specific purpose can be obtained to supplement the data of basic survey.

Soil losses by runoff and water holding capacity of the soil are determined by its

structure, texture, organic matter content, permeability at various depths, vegetative

cover, intensity and distribution of rainfall, cultural practices and manner of disposal of

runoff. A study of all these factors comprising soil survey are pertinent in planning for

soil and water conservation and land use classification.

4. How is an Intervening dash vowel marked ? 2 Marks

5. State when the ‘STR’ Loop is not employed initially. 2 Marks

6. Define dot ‘H’ ? 2 Marks

7. Define halving principle ? 2 Marks

8. What is meant by Diphone ? 2 Marks

65





15 Marks

66

2. Transcribe the following passage from English to Shorthand (200 Words) : 10 Marks

I want to make certain concrete suggestions to the Government in the matter of

control of inflation. In the first place, there have to be adequate releases through the

public distribution system of rice and wheat. I must here also plead the case of Kerala

and the need for increasing the rice allotted to Kerala. Sir, this is possible, the increase in

the releases of rice and wheat and such articles through public distribution should be

possible in view of the fact that we have the highest ever procurement of rice and wheat

in the current year. We have to strengthen the public distribution system now by bringing

more essential commodities in its purview. It is also necessary to make efforts to reduce

the growth in many places. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and

Industry has suggested that money expansion be restricted to 12 per cent per annum.

They have suggested several strict fiscal disciplinary measures. But apart from them,

there is a great necessity for strict financial discipline and an effort to reduce the growth

or expansion in the money supply which is also playing great havoc. It is absolutely

inevitable to augment the domestic supplies through even imports,

3. Attempt a pricis of the following passage in about one third of its length and suggest a suitable title (450 Words) : 15 Marks From the point of view of teachers and universities, the necessity for delinking

degrees from jobs is fairly clear. They have had enough of the futility of teaching

thousands of crib hunters, tuition goers and certificate seekers. They do not want their

potential to become atrophied and sterile. Their concern is knowledge, research and

teaching and its relation to life in general, not necessarily in the sense of production of

tangible goods. They would like their students to become devoted to the cause of

learning as an end in itself. They expect to make their wards sound in understanding and

judgment, shapely in thought and emotion and effective as citizens and leaders in an

egalitarian democracy. The recipients of university education are sought to be made into

decision making individuals and not mere efficient and informed instruments in the

hands of some moneyed or politically powerful clever and coarse self-seekers. The

Universityes would like their alumni to become uncompromising at the sight of evil even

amidst adversity and temptations. The existing state of affairs and the practices of several

university men must not make us cynical and discouraged, they must not blind us to these

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high ideals and every effort has to be made to keep them in the focus of our vision and

endeavour.

Applications of knowledge, technology, increasing and diversifying production,

creation of and fitting people into jobs, assessing and paying for jobs, fixing scales of

emoluments, devising promotional policies are necessary in the nature of an incidental

fall out from the work of educational institutions and universities. The latter are not their

sole determinant causes. Universities cannot be held responsible for the various ills and

misfortunes of society such as unemployment and unemployability , lack of human and

material resources, concentration of wealth and population etc. These problems have to be

solved by the State, industry, agriculture and generally the people through their individual

and corporate efforts. Universities can and will help them only from a distance and that

too unobtrusively. Putting it briefly, the universities create an awareness of the needs and

the necessary potentialities for accomplishing various developmental tasks and attempt to

form and reform the outlook of men. Universities do not have at their focus, jobs and

performing and designing of jobs. Instead, they have at their focus, the intellectual, moral

and political values embodied in science, literature, philosophy and history. So it is

preposterous to expect these institutions of learning to work at the level of particularities

and train young men in the performance of this or that job. So the employers and in

general, the people will be mistaken in expecting that the universities would directly

enable people to undertake the tasks of production or administration. Students with

certain basic mental and physical capacities will have to be trained over a period of time

and sent on to produce and to administer.

4. Define a Vowel ? 2 Marks

5. What is a Triphone ? 2 Marks

6. What are the good qualities of a Phraseogram ? 2 Marks

7. How Prefixes & Suffixes are used in Logograms ? 2 Marks

8. What is a Contraction ? 2 Marks

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15 Marks

69

2. Transcribe the following passage from English to Shorthand (200 Words) :

10 Marks

The press exerts a great influence in our daily and national life. The source of its power

lies in the very principles of democracy which guarantee freedom of press. In a

parliamentary democracy everyone is free to express his own honest opinions through the

press. The newspaper is the mouthpiece of public opinion and no popular government

can afford to ignore it totally. The utility of the press is greater than that of any other

national agency. It has almost conquered time and space. What happens in the capitals of

the world is known in all parts of the world within a short time.

Every reader of a newspaper will realise the great service rendered by it through

its advertisement columns containing accommodation, market prices etc. The

advertisement columns would be a contact between the exporter and the importer, buyer

and seller, bride and the bridegroom. Last year event’s advertisements are often a great

help. Information regarding the births and the marriages, deaths, weather management

reports of the day is undoubtedly of immense personal value. The press is the main organ

of propaganda of today. Every class must seek the assistance of the press to fight the

differences of the public. It can enlist public sympathy in times of widespread distress

and awaken the people to do whatever is possible to alleviate sufferings of their brothers.

All progress in the social, political and moral life of the people can be helped by

newspapers as long as people continue to be influenced and guided by the printed word

and journals do their duty of bringing contra to the limelight the power of the press is

guaranteed.

3. Attempt a pricis of the following passage in about one third of its length and suggest a suitable title (450 Words) : 15 Marks Vico proclaimed that history is a regular alternation between progress and regress.

Similarly, Saint Simon looked upon history as a series of oscillations between organic

and creative periods. It is difficult to say whether the world is progressing or

degenerating. Some nations are exploiting the resources of Nature and developing the

potentialities of human resources but others are manufacturing nuclear weapons. We talk

of international co-operation and affirm the concept of international community but peace

has been dodging us and war has all the time been threatening the world. There are

70

means to understand one another but international misunderstanding has brought us to a

stage of war. So in the light of these considerations we will have to think whether India

should manufacture nuclear weapons or not. We have been wedded to the policy of non-

violence. Arduous effort for peace is the only sensible practical politics. India has been

trying to lay the foundations of peace with patience, persistence and good-will. We have

been thinking of bringing order and raising human dignity to recreate a fine vision of the

world. In order to make this dream a reality we have been working consistently without

being deterred by the set backs. Moreover it is better to fail in a right cause than to

succeed in a wrong cause. If this is the line of thinking, should we think of

manufacturing nuclear weapons?

In fact our democracy is on trial. It is threatened by the forces working within the

country and without the country. We cannot establish international peace till some of the

countries remain underdeveloped or continue fighting against one another. We must

assist politically young and economically backward countries. Though we stand for the

ideals of political freedom economic justice and international peace but some nations do

not accept our ideals. Pakistan has always been trying to blackmail India by crippling our

economy and by disfiguring our ideals. Similarly, China has always been casting greedy

eyes upon India. The Chinese had been training Nagas and Mizos in order to create

disruption in India. Naturally these two nations whenever they feel that their tactics do

not succeed, wage a war against India. A war for a fortnight brings so much economic

imbalance that we are unable to make our economy sound. So nuclear weapons will

dampen their enthusiasm to do harm to us. It is not possible to make use of nuclear

weapons in the event of any conflict because such an action world invite greater trouble

and many big countries would jump into the arena. Still nuclear weapons would

definitely make China and Pakistan less hostile. In the present day would there is a race

for nuclear weapons. Every nation is trying its best, if it is within her capacity, to

manufacture nuclear bombs. Naturally, if India manufactures these weapons she will get

higher status among the community of nations.

4. When and how is abbreviated ‘W’ expressed ? 2 Marks

5. How the ‘N’ Hook is used to straight strokes ? 2 Marks

6. When Shun hook is not medially employed ? 2 Marks

7. How is suffix ‘ly’ expressed ? 2 Marks

8. What is a special contraction ? 2 Marks

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