Most of the people think in Urdu and then translate. Even those who think in English, often do not follow the "structure" of English Language, which is quite different than that of Urdu. Few examples:

Example No1.

“Meri taang toot gaee hay” --- Translation --- “My leg was broken” Now this translation is grammatically correct. Correct sentence in English would be, “I broke my leg”.

Example No. 2.

“Who stole my watch?”.. a typical answer would be “Hamid stole your watch” . Again this is grammatically correct but structure wise incorrect. The correct answer would be, “I think Hamid stole your watch”. This is part of the structure of English language that statements like these are not given with 100% surety. These are just two examples. The point is that one must get familiar with the structure of English Language.

Now how to prepare for it? I follow “Thompson and Marttenet” because it teaches the latest English Grammar and also it makes you familiar with the structure through some very good exercises. Also one must read good books, which means written by native writers and try to observe the language as to in what ways it is different that URDU (Keeping in mind the above mentioned factors). One very important thing, “DAWN is not (repeat NOT) a tool to improve your English”.

Finally, I would like to say that the above observations are my personal observations. As asked a worthy member of the forum, I am sharing my approach towards the English paper of CSS exams. These observations are based on the guidance given by my teacher Kaleem Raza Khan who is a professor at Karachi University and is PHD in linguistics. I admit the chance of my observations being wrong, However, I am stating these with all my sincerity. Best wishes to all.

Syed Kareem Adil

dear it is not possible for all the pakistani students to think in English becuse of the condition of scond language, however, that observation is valid in a way. i think it's very useful to listen to standard English to get a clearer feel for it, especially the RP. so listening to BBC, apart from reading standard native writers can be helpful.

What I have observed so far is that if u failed to make any impression in first 3 questions of precise paper than u r bound to fail, no matter how well u have attempted the paper afterwards.....(this is only my personal opinion, u have every right to contradict)

@Kareem Adil can i have ur e-mail address please...


Regards
A.A

Another thing which I have observed among some of the aspirants, while preparing for the exam; is that they mostly consult "Exploring the World of English", which , per see, doesn't fulfil all our text book requirements. This book doesn't contain anything exhaustive on important things like voice, phrasal verbs and even idioms. Most of the idioms in this book draw their basic etymology from the antiquity-based myths and incidents, like: Pyrrhic victory, penelope's web and the stuff, and not all encompassing.
In addition, one needs to be in possession of the original versions of a couple of internationally recognised lexicons, like Oxford and Chambers; for these dictionaries give one a much deeprer insight into the grammatical intricacies than the locally published grammars; not least the example sentences which show us the correct usage of words and phrases.
Rest I do agree with bro s bhaloo,Dr Junaid, Dr farrukh and imperturable over their observations.

CONGRATS TO THE PEOPLE WHO PASSED THEIR EXAM!!!!& who did not passed well, it is ok one day youu will get the same happiness too!!!
WORK HARD!! and don't loose your hope.

__________________
☆ ---ZARWA---☆

i think fpsc,s approach toward strcket and stringent cheking of english composition is absoloutly right. it is better to have as many successfull candidates as the posts available than to overselect and then overthrow them at the interviwe level because it causes all the more heart-burning. many would disgaree with it. but i respect other,s vantagepoint

Dear all,
Given the patern of results in past by fpsc,we do conclude that at one time its either 'essay'the butcher or composition,n at times islamiat or any optional one,which flunks even the brightest one attempting at css...

As me being a bit privy to FPSC in one way or the other,i mus tell u that every year a "Filtration subject"(mostly outa compulsory)is chosen to flunk as much as could be by specifically authorizing some examinor so that there cun't b much difficulty while interviewing few candidates for few posts..

i mean there's always few filtration question papers ,a couple in compulsories like(essay,every day science,etc)or optionals(india histry,etc,which majority of candidates choose blindly)...
its called "Filteration phase"

i object to those who say k some got 700+ numbers but got flunked in essay or composition jus cuz Pak Army wanted him/her to do so(what a joke).......fact is every year a Filtration paper is set by the FPSC ,so that appearing more than 10 k could be done justice by only those who are fully upto mark in all 12 subjects of css....like some outta blue stuff........k some subject gets too much scrutiny....so tht candidates could be filterered most as to facilitate interviewers....
anyways....i object flatly to those who talk otherwise or malign the FPSC for this purpose....its like grapes are sour for those who talk rubbish abt our FPSC....


Regards