ENGLISH (Précis & Composition)

Civil Services Preparatory School (CSPs)

TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS PART-I (MCQS) MAXIMUM MARKS = 20

PART-I(MCQS): MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES PART-II MAXIMUM MARKS = 20
Q 1 (A) Select the synonyms of the following: (10+10)
1. Anachronistic
A. Synchronic B. Archaic C. Temporal D. Futuristic
2. Bromide
A. Platitude B. Panacea C. Aphorism D. Cacophony
3. Esoteric
A. Obvious B. Pedantic C. Recondite D. Trivial
4. Inimical
A. Antagonistic B. Benevolent C. Cordial D. Congenial
5. Pernicious
A. Deleterious B. Innocuous C. Harmless D. Auspicious
6. Recalcitrant
A. Amenable B. Submissive C. Obdurate D. Compliant
7. Tantamount
A. Opposite B. Inferior C. Commensurate D. Superior
8. Cede
A. Seize B. Relinquish C. Retain D. Withhold
9. Erudite
A. Uninformed B. Pedantic C. Illiterate D. Naïve
10. Orifice
A. Impasse B. Aperture C. Obstruction D. Crevice
B. Select the ANTONYMS of the following:
11. Quarry
A. Predator B. Prey C. Hunter D. Forager
12. Peregrinate
A. Wander B. Settle C. Roam D. Drift
13. Pusillanimous
A. Brave B. Timid C. Cowardly D. Fearful
14. Susurrus
A. Whisper B. Silence C. Murmur D. Hiss
15. Exsanguinate
A. Bleed B. Revitalize C. Drain D. Exhaust
16. Bumfuzzle
A. Confuse B. Clarify C. Perplex D. Mystify
17. Cacophony
A. Harmony B. Discord C. Clamor D. Noise
18. Limerence
A. Detachment B. Infatuation C. Passion D. Obsession
19. Quixotic
A. Practical B. Unrealistic C. Romantic D. Impractical
20. Zugzwang
A. Freedom C. Compulsion
B. Constraint D. Bind
Q 2. Write a precis of the following passage in 120 words and suggest a suitable “title” to it. (20)
Costly followers are not to be liked; lest while a man makes his train longer, he makes his wings shorter. I reckon to
be costly, not them alone which charge the purse, but which are wearisome and importune in suits. Ordinary followers
ought to challenge no higher conditions than countenance, recommendation, and protection from wrongs. Factious
followers are worse to be liked, which follow not upon affection to him with whom they range themselves, but upon
discontentment conceived against some other; whereupon commonly ensued that ill intelligence that we many times
see between great personages. Likewise, glorious followers, who make themselves as trumpets of the commendation
of those they follow, are full of inconvenience; for they taint business through want of secrecy, and they export honour
from a man, and make him a return in envy. There is a kind of followers likewise which are dangerous, being indeed
espials; which inquire the secrets of the house, and bear tales of them to others. Yet such men, many times, are in great
favour; for they are officious, and commonly exchange tales. The following by certain estates of men answerable to
that which a great person himself professed hath ever been a thing civil and well taken even in monarchies, so it be
without too much pomp or popularity. But the most honourable kind of following is to be followed as one that
apprehended to advance virtue and desert in all sorts of persons. And yet where there are no eminent odds in sufficiency,
it is better to take with the more passable than with the more able. And besides, to speak truth, in base times, active
men are of more use than virtuous. It is true that in government, it is good to use men of one rank equally; for to
countenance some extraordinarily is to make them insolent, and the rest discontent; because they may claim a due. But
contrariwise in favour, to use men with much difference and election is good; for it makes the persons preferred more
thankful, and the rest more officious; because all is of favour. It is good discretion not to make too much of any man
at the first; because one cannot hold out that proportion. To be governed by one is not safe; for it shews softness and
gives a freedom to scandal and disreputation; for those that would not censure or speak ill of a man immediately will
talk more boldly of those that are so great with them, and thereby wound their honour. Yet to be distracted with many
is worse; for it makes men to be of the last impression, and full of change. To take advice of some few friends is ever
honourable; for lookers-on many times see more than gamesters; and the vale best discovered the hill. There is little
friendship in the world, and least of all between equals, which was wont to be magnified. That that is, is between
superior and inferior, whose fortunes may comprehend the one the other.
Q 3 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end. (4x5=20)
As the golden rays of the sun bathed the rugged canyons, Ryan ventured into the vast wilderness, seeking solace in the
serenity of nature. Equipped with a backpack, a water bottle, and his unwavering spirit, he began his hike through the
isolated terrain. Little did he know, his journey would transform into a harrowing tale of survival that would test his
physical endurance and psychological resilience. While navigating a narrow path, Ryan slipped and became wedged
in a crevice, his arm pinned beneath an immovable boulder. Despite his desperate attempts to free himself, the
unyielding rock refused to budge. Hours turned into days, and his initial panic gave way to grim contemplation. The
water supply dwindled, hunger gnawed at his body, and his thoughts oscillated between hope and despair. He began
questioning his decisions, his life, and the strength of his own resolve. As time stretched to 147 agonizing hours, Ryan’s
condition deteriorated. Dehydrated, delirious, and teetering on the edge of consciousness, he realized his options had
narrowed to one grim conclusion. To survive, he would have to sever his trapped arm. The thought horrified him; the
very act felt like a betrayal of his own body. Yet, the alternative—a slow and certain death—left him with no choice.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Ryan fashioned a crude tourniquet and used a dull knife from his kit to amputate
his arm. Pain surged through him, yet his determination to live overshadowed the agony. Once free, Ryan dragged
himself out of the fissure, his vision blurred and his energy depleted. By sheer willpower, he reached a search party
alerted by his absence, marking the end of his ordeal. The experience left him forever altered, not just physically but
emotionally. Ryan had confronted the raw essence of survival: the internal conflict between self-preservation and the
deep fear of irreparable loss. His story, a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable will, inspired countless others to
find strength in the face of insurmountable odds.

Comprehension Questions
1. What internal conflict does Ryan face during his ordeal, and how does this reflect the complexity of survival
decisions?
2. How does Ryan’s initial reaction to being trapped evolve over the course of 147 hours?
3. What role does Ryan’s mental state play in his decision to amputate his arm, and how does this reflect his
psychological resilience?
4. In what ways does the passage highlight the tension between human vulnerability and the will to survive?
Q.4. (a) Correct ANY FIVE of the following. (05)
1. My precis is three times better than yours.
2. The teacher suggests his students to write an assignment.
3. Of Aslam and Qasim, Aslam is best.
4. He is not much different from others.
5. The guests were unable to find a hotel, nor they managed any guest house.
6. He is not as good as his brother is.
7. A naughty child falls another child on the ground.
8. In spite of being late, the teacher did not punish her.
(b) Choose the ANALOGY of words written in capital letters. (05)
1. VERIFY: DOUBTFUL
A. Impecunious: Affluence C. Rich: Prosperous
B. Loathe: Abhor D. Wanderlust: Travel
2. ODE: POEM
A. Envelope: Letter C. Ballad: Song
B. Prose: Poetry D. Cat: Kitten
3. COAX: PERSUATION
A. Affability: Antagonism C. Contemplative: Meditative
B. Convict: Murder D. Loathe: Reluctance
4. GORILLA: INFANT
A. Fish: Scale C. Hare: Leveret
B. Horse: Pony D. Fox: Sly
5. EPILOGUE: PROLOGUE
A. Nadir: Zenith C. Pit: Trench
B. Neck: Nape D. Anteroom: Building
Q.5. (a)Punctuate any five the following lines. (5)
1. The lawyer yelled, “How often I have told you, Never tell a lie.”
2. I have written a book: “How We can Clean Our Planet”
3. Every muslim should provoke islamic ideology.
4. I have cleared the following subjects: chemistry, physics, geography and math-A.
5. Did he say, “Am I a fool?”
6. Justice Andrew Collins-an embodiment of justice-introduced a true judiciary system and there is no one like
him.
7. The principal Ravi Shanker was a politic man.
(b) Re-write the following sentences (only five) after filling the blanks with suitable prepositions. (5)
i. The old book fell_____ when I picked it up.
ii. After receiving a huge loss in the business, he was done ____.
iii. The cold water helped bring him_____ after he fainted.
iv. Feel free to drop _____ any time.
v. The robber did ____ the passerby mercilessly.
vi. With good care, he will pull______.
vii. Let’s settle ____the bill before we leave.
viii. I love to gad _____ in the hilly areas.
Q.6. (a) Use ONLY FIVE of the following pair of words in sentences which illustrate their meanings. (05)
i.Appraise iii.Allude v.Capitol vii.Imminent
Apprise Elude Capital Immanent
ii.Elicit iv.Flaunt vi.Voracious
Illicit Flout Veracious
‫‪(b) Change the narration.‬‬ ‫)‪(05‬‬
‫!‪Lily: You won’t believe what just happened‬‬
‫!‪Max: What? Don’t leave me hanging—spill it‬‬
‫‪Lily: I ran into Mr. Anderson at the café, and he was wearing a superhero costume.‬‬
‫?‪Max: No way! He didn’t, did he‬‬
‫‪Lily: He did! Said it’s for some secret club, but I think he’s lost it.‬‬
‫!‪Max: Or maybe he’s actually a superhero, and you’ve just uncovered his cover‬‬
‫)‪Q.7. Translate the following into English by keeping in view figurative/idiomatic expressions (10‬‬
‫س‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ک ت‬ ‫س‬
‫اناینایسفنتایاہنیدیچیپہاورریغوتمازنرہظمےہوجوعشراورتحتاوعشلریکرہگاویئںںیموپدیشہوہتاےہ۔اناینذنہےکیفخم‬ ‫ک‬
‫س‬ ‫ت‬
‫اجتےہ‪،‬فلتخمجذوبں‪،‬وخااشہتاوروخوفںاکوہگارہںیہ۔وعشریکیقطنمرپوتںےکےھچیپا کی‬ ‫رعفاعمںیمتحتاوعشلراہک ا‬ ‫وگےش‪،‬ںیہنج ِ‬
‫س‬ ‫ت ت‬
‫امعموںوکےنھجمسیکوکشش‬
‫ٔ‬ ‫اور‬ ‫اونھجلں‬ ‫دایلخ‬ ‫ان‬ ‫ملع‬ ‫اک‬ ‫ںیہ۔ایسفنت‬ ‫اجےتن‬‫ےس‬ ‫ام‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ےک‬ ‫الوعشر‬ ‫مہ‬‫ےسج‬ ‫ےہ‬ ‫رکیت‬ ‫اکم‬ ‫اطق‬ ‫ریغوسحمسرگمؤمثر‬
‫س س‬ ‫ت‬
‫لذا‪،‬اناینایسفنتےکرمضماتوکلمکموطررپاجےنچنےکےیلرہگےاطمےعلاوردقیقزجتےییک‬ ‫ہ‬ ‫ںیہن۔‬‫نکمم‬ ‫انھجمس‬‫اظبہ‬
‫ر‬ ‫ںیہنج‬ ‫ےہ‬‫ا‬ ‫رکت‬
‫رضورتےہ۔‬