How can I strengthen my writing skills?
The topics for paragraph writing are mostly general, dealing with national and international issues. In fact, they are mostly problems dealing with everyday concerns like health, education, road rage or environment or those in a larger framework of the social context like the girl child, child labour or reservations. Read newspapers and magazines to pick up salient points. Structure the 4Ws & H: what, where, when, why & how. Newspapers and magazines provide most content matter.

	Mridula Aggarwal

Despite having the content matter, I am not able to score well. How can I improve my writing skills?
Each skill has a specific format. If it is not followed properly, marks will be deducted. Ensure you do not lose marks due to an incomplete/wrong format. Adopt a three-fold approach for writing skills, be it a letter, speech, article or pamphlet:
•Define the root of the problem and ascertain how it has arisen
• Analyse the effects of the problem
• Elaborate on suggestions to reduce/eradicate the problem

How do I improve my answers in the literature section?
Keep the following in mind while attempting such a question:
• Answer in accordance with the marks allocated. If it is a 4-mark question, keep in mind that there will be three to four points/aspects to the answer. Do NOT write one point only with a lengthy explanation.
•The complete answer should fit within the specified word limit. Limit the introduction so that all the value points can be included.
•List out your value points, put them in order of importance and then write your answer so that, if you feel you will exceed the word limit, you can leave out the least important points or write them as one liners.

How do I tackle comprehension passages?
Comprehension is a test of one's ability to understand. Practise is the only sure-shot method to improve it:
• Read any newspaper article and discuss it with your friends/parents to gauge how clearly you have understood it. Measure the 4Ws and H.
• In the exam, read the passage two to three times before attempting the questions.
• For synonyms, antonyms and word meanings asked, read the content in which they have been used.