(a) Punctuate the text on Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Sassi Punnu where necessary. (b) Rewrite ONLY FIVE sentences after filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

Q. 5(a) — Punctuated text

In Pakistani folklore, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Sassi Punnu are iconic tales of star-crossed lovers. These stories, deeply rooted in tribal connections, serve as allegories and commentaries on spiritual and romantic love; they explore the complexities of human emotion, the trials of love and the transformative power of spiritual elevation. The themes of trial, emotional anguish, separation and expulsion, resulting in the moral polishing of the lovers, are timeless and universal. Heer Ranjha's epic tale, penned by Waris Shah, is a masterpiece of Punjabi literature, a testament to the power of love to transcend mortal bounds.

What was added

- A comma after the introductory phrase "In Pakistani folklore".

- Commas separating the three tales; the titles may be italicised. (A comma before "and" in a list is optional; be consistent.)

- Commas around the non-defining phrases "deeply rooted in tribal connections", "resulting in the moral polishing of the lovers" and "penned by Waris Shah".

- A semicolon (or a full stop) between "love" and "they explore", which were run together.

- A full stop after "spiritual elevation", which ran into the next sentence.

- Commas in the list "trial, emotional anguish, separation and expulsion".

- The stray "..." after "universal" replaced by a full stop.

- A comma before the appositive "a testament to the power of love".

Q. 5(b) — Prepositions

1. The massive landslide tumbled into the valley below, blocking the river and causing widespread flooding that destroyed crops and habitats.

2. The controversy surrounding arranged marriages raged within the Pakistani community, with some arguing that it was a vital part of their cultural heritage, while others saw it as a form of oppression.

3. As she read the poem, the subtle symbolism and metaphors whispered beneath the surface of the words, awakening a depth of emotion within her.

4. The concept of Tawhid, or the oneness of God, lies at the heart of / within the very fabric of Islamic theology, weaving together the intricate threads of faith, reason, and spirituality. ("Within" fits the blank as a single word.)

5. As social media scrolled endlessly through her daily life, her attention span shriveled, leaving her with a perpetual sense of distraction.

6. Power consolidated among (or within) the ruling elite, silencing dissent.

7. Her online persona leaned towards perfection, hiding flaws.

8. Themes of love, loss, and longing wove through Ghalib's verses, creating a rich tapestry of emotion.

Tip

Rewrite the full sentence as the question asks; writing only the preposition may cost marks. Where two prepositions fit (among / within), choose the one that suits the image of the sentence.