[Solved] Précis CSS Special 2023 English (Precis & Composition) Paper

[Solved] CSS Special 2023 English Precis & Composition Paper by FPSC

Here, you will the CSS Special 2023 English Precis & Composition Paper conducted by FPSC Today (2023-10-12).

Q.2. Write a précis of the following passage and suggest a suitable title:

Despite complaints from viewers, television commercials are not getting any more realistic. Their makers continue to present idealized people in unreal situations. The wide gaps between their fanciful depiction and the mundane realities of life in most cases make them appear funny as well as repulsive. A footballer suddenly starts scoring goals after consuming a particular energy drink. A would-be groom avoids hugging his father-in-law because he recalls not having used a particular shampoo that morning. A busy manager leaves an important meeting to grab a dozen packets of his favorite cookies, and so on. The advertisers also persist in showing a version of male-female relationships that can hardly exist in two households in an entire city. A wife panics simply because a meddlesome neighbor points out that her husband’s shirt is dirty, while another fears for her marriage because her finicky husband doesn’t like her coffee. What do the advertisers know about us, or how we see ourselves, that makes them continue to plunge millions of dollars into these kinds of commercials? They probably don’t know that these glamorous and noisy clips in no way promote the product for which they are aired, The reported number of viewers may be heartening and tempting for the manufacturers of the products. It might also be the main reason for them to keep on hiring the advertisers for promoting these products In fact, however, these advertisements are mostly watched either to laugh at, or because the viewers are unable to skip them by changing the channel as soon as they start. (Total words are 260) 

 Title: “   The Unreal World of Television Commercials  “

Precis:

Television commercials persist in presenting unrealistic scenarios and idealized individuals, despite viewer complaints. These stark gaps between fantasy and reality often make these ads both amusing and off-putting. For example, a footballer suddenly excels after an energy drink, a groom avoids his father-in-law due to shampoo choices, and a manager abandons meetings for cookies. Advertisers continue to invest millions in these commercials, seemingly unaware that they fail to effectively promote the advertised products. Viewers typically watch them for amusement or out of necessity, unable to quickly switch channels. (Precis words are 260/3=87) 

Q.3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end.

During the past two decades, there has been a mushroom growth of universities and other degree-awarding institutions in Pakistan, which our policy makers consider a source of pride and prestige. This increase in the number of universities and the students enrolled therein has been recurrently projected as a major parameter for quantifying national development. No one can deny the pivotal importance of education for the progress and prosperity of a nation. In the contemporary world, human resources have emerged as the greatest asset of unequivocal primacy, and education aims at creating and enhancing that resource. But can it be done through higher education only, or even primarily through higher education? Looking at the developed countries of the world—almost all having progressed by virtue of better human resources—one can easily explore that they don’t encourage massive enrollment in universities. In other words, they don’t want the domain of higher education open to every member of the population. After completing 12 years of compulsory and free school education, students are counseled and assessed for their choice of further studies according to their interests and aptitude. Those with a true interest in academics and research, along with the requisite scholarly aptitude, are encouraged to undertake long-term academic pursuits in universities, while the rest— an overwhelming majority—opt for short-term courses leading to certificates and diplomas in colleges and training institutes. The admission criteria and fee structure of these colleges and institutes vary according to a number of factors. The latter group acquires practical skills in their chosen areas of utilitarian nature, without any undue burden of theoretical discourses. Consequently, due to these marketable skills and practical training, they easily get employed, earn for themselves, and contribute to the national economy. On the other hand, we produce an unskilled lot of university graduates without even a basic understanding of their subject. They consider themselves highly qualified but have no meaningful knowledge. Hence, instead of becoming an asset, they become a social and economic liability. We need to realize that, unlike the fundamental right to basic education, higher education should be treated as a privilege for the deserving ones. This realization is imperative for enabling our universities to produce scholars, scientists, and researchers, as done by the developed world. (4 marks each)

Questions:

  1. What can be inferred from the passage as the main goal of education?
  2. What is the benefit of guiding students in their choice of careers?
  3. Is the only direct question in the paragraph answered affirmatively or negatively?
  4. Which sentence do you think to be the topic sentence of this paragraph, capturing its central point?
  5. Which sentence looks redundant and out of place in the context of the paragraph, seeming a later addition rather than part of the original?

1. What can be inferred from the passage as the main goal of education?

The main goal of education, as inferred from the passage, is to create and enhance human resources, which are considered the greatest asset for the progress and prosperity of a nation.

2. What is the benefit of guiding students in their choice of careers?

The benefit of guiding students in their choice of careers is that it helps them make informed decisions based on their interests and aptitude. This guidance leads to the differentiation between those who pursue long-term academic pursuits in universities and those who opt for short-term courses leading to certificates and diplomas, based on their inclinations and skills. This approach enables individuals to acquire practical skills that are marketable and contribute to the national economy.

3. Is the only direct question in the paragraph answered affirmatively or negatively?

The only direct question in the paragraph is answered negatively. The question, “But can it be done through higher education only, or even primarily through higher education?” is answered by examining the approach of developed countries, which do not encourage massive enrollment in universities. Therefore, the answer is that higher education alone is not the primary or sole means of achieving the goal of creating better human resources.

4. Which sentence do you think to be the topic sentence of this paragraph, capturing its central point?

The topic sentence of this paragraph, capturing its central point, is: “During the past two decades, there has been a mushroom growth of universities and other degree-awarding institutions in Pakistan, which our policy makers consider a source of pride and prestige.” This sentence sets the stage for discussing the proliferation of universities and degree-awarding institutions and their role in national development.

5. Which sentence looks redundant and out of place in the context of the paragraph, seeming a later addition rather than part of the original?

The sentence that appears to be redundant and out of place in the context of the paragraph is: “They consider themselves highly qualified but have no meaningful knowledge.” This sentence disrupts the flow of the argument and does not directly contribute to the central point of the passage, which is about the need for guidance in career choices and the role of higher education in creating better human resources.

Q4: Correct only FIVE of the following:

  1. I am looking forward to see you on Monday.
  2. How many students are ready to give the test today?
  3. I contacted my five colleagues but all of them did not respond.
  4. I am tired and would not rather go out this evening.
  5. Our economical situation is worsening day by day.
  6. One can find useful information about eating nutritiously on the internet.
  7. I couldn’t found you there yesterday.
  8. Orphaned in infancy, he was brought about by his grandparents.

Corrections:

  1. I am looking forward to seeing you on Monday.(Explanation: “Looking forward to” is followed by a gerund, i.e., verb + ing)
  2. How many students are ready to take the test today?(Explanation: “Take” a test is the common collocation)
  3. I contacted my five colleagues but none of them responded.(Explanation: “None” is more suitable to convey that not even one colleague responded)
  4. I am tired and would rather not go out this evening.(Explanation: “Would rather not” is the correct phrase)
  5. Our economic situation is worsening day by day.(Explanation: “Economic” refers to the economy, while “economical” refers to being cost-effective)
  6. One can find useful information about eating nutritiously on the internet.(This sentence appears to be correct as is. “One” is used as a generic pronoun, and the sentence provides a clear, complete thought. The sentence “One can find useful information about eating nutritiously on the internet” is grammatically correct. There is nothing wrong with it. It conveys the intended meaning effectively. Please comment below, if you can find any mistake in it.
  7. I couldn’t find you there yesterday.(Explanation: The correct past tense verb here is “find.” “Found” is incorrect following “couldn’t.”)
  8. Orphaned in infancy, he was brought up by his grandparents.(Explanation: The phrase “brought up” is used to describe being raised by someone.)

Q5(a): Correct the Punctuation without splitting a sentence or adding/changing any word.

Given sentences:

  1. Courts were open today, however no cases were heard.
  2. His duty was clear he had to report theft.
  3. Did he really say, “I can do it again?”
  4. Great Expectations is an autobiographical novel.
  5. The item was discussed and decided, however members were by no means, convinced.
  6. Theatrical performances are governed by one simple principle, the quality of play depends on the quantity of pay.
  7. Who said these famous words, “I regret having just one life to lose for my country?”
  8. Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is popular due to the complex character of Hamlet.

Corrections:

  1. Courts were open today; however, no cases were heard.(Explanation: Use a semicolon before “however” to join two independent clauses)
  2. His duty was clear: he had to report the theft.(Explanation: Use a colon to elaborate on the first part of the sentence)
  3. Did he really say, “I can do it again?”(Explanation: The question mark should be inside the quotation marks)
  4. “Great Expectations” is an autobiographical novel.(Explanation: Book titles should be in quotation marks)
  5. The item was discussed and decided; however, members were, by no means, convinced.(Explanation: Use a semicolon before “however” to join two independent clauses and commas to set off “by no means”)
  6. Theatrical performances are governed by one simple principle: the quality of play depends on the quantity of pay.(Explanation: Use a colon to elaborate on the first part of the sentence)
  7. Who said these famous words, “I regret having just one life to lose for my country?”(Explanation: The question mark should be inside the quotation marks)
  8. Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, is popular due to the complex character of Hamlet.(Explanation: Use commas to offset the title of the play)

Given sentences:

  1. ‘What can be the reason ___ his absence?
  2. You won’t be able to bring him ___ his knees.
  3. I was utterly unaware ___ the looming threat.
  4. Please remind me ___ the meeting next week.
  5. ___ to such pressure tactics.
  6. Heavy rains are generally preceded ___ violent winds.
  7. Did you pay the bill ___ cash?
  8. I agreed ___ his revised plan.

Filled Sentences:

  1. ‘What can be the reason for his absence?(Explanation: “For” is used to indicate the reason or cause of something)
  2. You won’t be able to bring him to his knees.(Explanation: “To” is used here to indicate a state or condition)
  3. I was utterly unaware of the looming threat.(Explanation: “Of” is used to indicate association or connection with something)
  4. Please remind me in the meeting next week.(Explanation: “In” is used to refer to a general time during an event)
  5. Yielding to such pressure tactics.(Explanation: Here a verb like “Yielding” might be suitable along with the preposition “to”)
  6. Heavy rains are generally preceded by violent winds.(Explanation: “By” is used to indicate the agent performing the action)
  7. Did you pay the bill in cash?(Explanation: “In cash” is a common phrase used to describe the method of payment)
  8. I agreed to his revised plan.(Explanation: “Agreed to” is a common phrase used to express consent or acceptance)

Q6: Use only FIVE of Words in Sentences clearly illustrating their meaning.

  1. Industrial, Industrious
  2. Veracity, Voracity
  3. Eligible, Illegible
  4. Dose, Doze
  5. Allude, Elude
  6. Credible, Credulous
  7. Exhausting, Exhaustive
  8. Virtual, Virtuous

 Use Words in Sentences

  1. Industrial, Industrious
    • Industrial: The industrial revolution significantly altered manufacturing processes.
    • Industrious: The industrious student spent weeks on her research project.
  2. Veracity, Voracity
    • Veracity: The veracity of the report was confirmed by multiple sources.
    • Voracity: His voracity for learning was apparent in his extensive library.
  3. Eligible, Illegible
    • Eligible: Only those above 18 are eligible to vote.
    • Illegible: The doctor’s handwriting was completely illegible.
  4. Dose, Doze
    • Dose: The patient was given a dose of antibiotics.
    • Doze: During the lecture, I noticed a few students beginning to doze off.
  5. Allude, Elude
    • Allude: The author often alludes to classic literature in her novels.
    • Elude: The solution to the puzzle continues to elude me.
  6. Credible, Credulous
    • Credible: The scientist provided credible evidence to support her theory.
    • Credulous: It’s surprising how credulous people can be when reading online articles.
  7. Exhausting, Exhaustive
    • Exhausting: Running a marathon is an exhausting endeavor.
    • Exhaustive: The researcher conducted an exhaustive study on the topic.
  8. Virtual, Virtuous
    • Virtual: Online gamers enjoy exploring virtual worlds.
    • Virtuous: The virtuous knight always chose the moral path.

Q7. Translate any FIVE of the following into English by keeping in view figurative/idiomatic expression

PDF does not support URDU Script, therefore, Visit and Study it from our site HERE

  1. آپ اس فیصلے کے مضمرات سے ابھی واقف نہیں۔
  2. صدر کی اپنے ہم منصب سے ملاقات پہلے سے طے شدہ تھی۔
  3. میرا بھائی ماہر فلکیات ہے ، لیکن لجومی نہیں۔
  4. نماز باجماعت جلد ادا کی جائے گی۔
  5. ہمیں خود کو نئے حالات کے مطابق ڈھالنا چاہئے۔
  6. سفارتی آداب کا خیال رکھنا ضروری ہے۔
  7. تقریب کا باضابطہ افتتاح کون کرے گا؟
  8. فرقہ پرستی کئی تعصبات کی جڑ ہے۔

 Translations from Urdu to English

  1. آپ اس فیصلے کے مضمرات سے ابھی واقف نہیں۔
    • You are not yet familiar with the implications of this decision.
  2. صدر کی اپنے ہم منصب سے ملاقات پہلے سے طے شدہ تھی۔
    • The president’s meeting with his counterpart was predetermined.
  3. میرا بھائی ماہر فلکیات ہے ، لیکن لجومی نہیں۔
    • My brother is an expert in astronomy, but not compulsory.
  4. نماز باجماعت جلد ادا کی جائے گی۔
    • The congregational prayer will be offered soon.
  5. ہمیں خود کو نئے حالات کے مطابق ڈھالنا چاہئے۔
    • We should mold ourselves according to the new circumstances.
  6. سفارتی آداب کا خیال رکھنا ضروری ہے۔
    • It is necessary to observe diplomatic etiquette.
  7. تقریب کا باضابطہ افتتاح کون کرے گا؟
    • Who will formally inaugurate the ceremony?
  8. فرقہ پرستی کئی تعصبات کی جڑ ہے۔
    • Sectarianism is the root of many prejudices.

For MCQs of all competitive exams, visit our site CSSMCQs.com

Disclaimer: Please note that we have made every effort to provide accurate and reliable information in this post. Our team has strived diligently to ensure correctness and precision in our content. However, please be aware that despite our best endeavors, the possibility of errors or inaccuracies cannot be entirely eliminated. Factors such as the dynamic nature of information and the complexity of certain topics may contribute to occasional mistakes. If you have found any, do mention and correct them in the comment box below.

Secondly, we are deeply concerned about some online academies and some individuals who share our content without providing proper credit. We kindly request that you refrain from removing the attribution label affixed to this paper. Considerable time, effort, resources, and expertise have been invested in its creation. Thank you for choosing SeekerGK as your source of information.