National Officers Academy

Mock Exams CSS-2025

January 2025 (Final Mock)
ENGLISH (PRECIS AND COMPOSITION)
TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS PART-I (MCQS) MAXIMUM MARKS = 20
PART-I(MCQS): MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES PART-II MAXIMUM MARKS = 80
NOTE:
i. Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
ii. Attempt ALL questions from PART-II.
iii. All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places.
iv. Write Q. No. in the Answer Book in accordance with Q. No. in the Q. Paper.
PART-II
Q. 2 Make a précis of the following passage and suggest a suitable title. (15+5=20)
Ah, politicians, those paragons of probity and bastions of integrity! One cannot help but marvel at their
unparalleled aptitude for convoluted verbosity and dexterous evasion. In the grand theatre of governance, their antics form
a riveting spectacle—a symphony of shrewd machinations and hyperbolic rhetoric. Observe, if you will, their unparalleled
mastery of linguistic acrobatics. When confronted with the simplest of inquiries, our esteemed leaders employ an arsenal
of sesquipedalian phrases, cloaking their evasions in an aura of intellectual gravitas. Should one dare to question their
motives, rest assured the retort shall be a masterclass in circumlocution, leaving the inquisitor ensnared in a labyrinth of
words. And who can ignore their profound commitment to the sacred art of promises? Promises, like autumn leaves, are
scattered generously before elections, only to be swept away by the winds of forgetfulness once the ballots are counted. It
is a rare talent, indeed, to promise the moon and yet deliver naught but shadows.
Let us also pay homage to their theatrical prowess. Whether shedding crocodilian tears at a public forum or
offering meticulously rehearsed displays of indignation, these virtuosos never fail to keep their audience entertained. It is
said that the pen is mightier than the sword, but in the hands of a politician, a well-timed photo-op with a baby or a stray
dog wields greater power than either.
Alas, it would be remiss not to acknowledge their unparalleled talent for self-preservation. Like chameleons, they
adapt seamlessly to shifting political climates, shedding ideologies as effortlessly as a snake sheds its skin. The agility
with which they leap from scandal to scapegoat is nothing short of Olympian. The antics of our political class serve as a
poignant reminder: leadership, it seems, is less about serving the populace and more about perfecting the performance.

Q. 3 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (20)
The notion that renewable energy unequivocally saves the planet and eradicates pollution is a narrative as
appealing as it is oversimplified. While solar panels gleaming in the sun and wind turbines spinning gracefully against a
clear blue sky evoke a sense of eco-utopia, the reality of renewable energy is far from unblemished.
To begin with, the very production of renewable energy systems is a resource-intensive process that leaves a
sizable environmental footprint. Solar panels, for instance, require rare earth elements like cadmium and tellurium, whose
extraction involves environmentally damaging mining practices. Similarly, wind turbines demand vast quantities of steel,
concrete, and rare earth magnets. Manufacturing these components not only generates significant greenhouse gas
emissions but also disrupts ecosystems and exploits finite resources.
A parallel can be drawn to electric vehicles (EVs), which are often lauded for their environmentally friendly
image but whose production also results in significant pollution. The manufacturing process, particularly of lithium-ion
batteries, requires extensive mining of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This mining causes habitat destruction,
soil contamination, and high water usage, often in regions already facing environmental stress. Additionally, if the
electricity used to charge EVs comes from fossil fuels, their environmental benefits diminish significantly. Battery
disposal presents further challenges, as improper recycling leads to toxic waste. While EVs have potential, their current
lifecycle emissions suggest they are not a complete solution to reducing pollution.
Moreover, the issue of waste is a looming specter. Solar panels and wind turbines have finite lifespans, typically
ranging from 20 to 30 years. As they reach the end of their utility, the question of disposal becomes critical. Recycling
these components is neither straightforward nor widely practiced, often resulting in the accumulation of toxic waste.
Without a robust infrastructure for managing this influx of discarded materials, the green promise of renewable energy
begins to tarnish.
Additionally, renewable energy systems are not immune to pollution during their operational phase. The
intermittent nature of solar and wind power necessitates backup from fossil fuel plants or reliance on battery storage, the
latter of which poses its own environmental challenges. Batteries rely heavily on lithium and cobalt, both of which have
supply chains notorious for environmental degradation and human rights abuses.
Land use is another concern. Solar farms and wind parks require vast expanses of land, potentially displacing
local wildlife and communities. Forests are often cleared to accommodate these installations, undermining their supposed
environmental benefits. While renewable energy does reduce reliance on fossil fuels, it is disingenuous to ignore these
associated costs.
This is not to discredit the value of renewable energy as a critical component in mitigating climate change, but
rather to advocate for a balanced perspective. Blindly heralding renewables as a panacea risks complacency and overlooks
the importance of improving energy efficiency, reducing consumption, and diversifying the energy mix.
In conclusion, renewable energy is not the silver bullet for saving the planet. It is a complex, imperfect solution
that requires careful management and realistic expectations. Only by acknowledging its limitations can we hope to harness
its potential responsibly.
Questions:
1. What can be inferred about the environmental impact of renewable energy production compared to traditional
fossil fuels?
2. How far the electric vehicles (EVs) are environmental friendly?
3. What challenge is associated with the disposal of renewable energy systems after their lifespan ends?
4. Why does the article suggest that renewable energy is not entirely pollution-free during its operational phase?
5. How does the article propose addressing the limitations of renewable energy?
Q. 4 Correct any FIVE of the following sentences. (10)
i. I will be completing this project by this time tomorrow.
ii. If I know the answers, I would pass the examination.
iii. They cheated me. I wish I know them.
iv. Looking through the view-finder, some strangers were seen standing at the door.
v. All kinds of stationeries is sold here.
vi. There has always been a fight between devil and divine.
vii. A Little elegance is left in those arrogant youth.
viii. The mother was herself searching in her young daughter.
Q. 5. A. Punctuate the following passage: (5)
a boy was gathering berries from a hedge when his hand was stung by a nettle smarting with the pain he ran to tell his
mother and said to her between his sobs i only touched it ever so lightly mother that is why you got stung my son said she
if you have grasped it firmly it would not have hurt you in the least
B. Re-write the following sentences (ONLY FIVE) after filling in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions. (5)
i. She came _____ the wealth on her father’s death.
ii. I am broke _____ him because he is a selfish friend.
iii. He has got _____ all his hardships in his life.
iv. Every candidate tries to pull _____ each voter.
v. The poor live_____ their honest wages.
vi. The thief did nor swear ____ God.
vii. You have no right to jeer _____ the beggar.
viii. He is leaning _____ the wall as he is not feeling well.
Q.6. A. Use only FIVE of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meanings. (5)
(i) black and blue (ii) silver surfer (iii) draw a blank (iv) carry coal to Newcastle
(v) ballpark figure (vi) bad hair day (vii) keep fingers crossed (viii) to get off scot-free
B. Use only FIVE pairs of words in sentences clearly illustrating their meanings. (5)
(i) Plaintiff, plaintive (ii) valet, varlet (iii) monitor, mentor (iv) complacent, complaisant
(v) penitence, penance (vi) crevice, crevasse (vii) beneficent, beneficial
Q.7. Translate the following into English, keeping in view the idiomatic/figurative expression. (10)
‫مسابقتی امتحانات کی تیاری کرنے والے کچھ طلبہ ایسے ہیں جو سمجھتے ہیں کہ صرف کتاب کے کور کو گھورنے یا‬
‫رات کو تکیے کے نیچے نوٹس رکھ دینے سے وہ ٹاپر بن جائیں گے۔ یہ وہی لوگ ہیں جو دو دن کی تیاری کے بعد‬
‫ نہ کوئی کامیابی‬،‫دعاؤں میں بھی سفارش تالش کرتے ہیں! حقیقت یہ ہے کہ "جادو کی چھڑی" نہ کسی کے پاس ہے‬
‫کا "شارٹ کٹ"۔ اگر غیرمعمولی نتائج چاہیے تو غیرمعمولی محنت بھی چاہیے۔ تو اگلی بار جب آپ چائے کا کپ‬
!‫ مشقت سے آتی ہے‬،‫ یاد رکھیں کہ کامیابی مذاق سے نہیں‬،‫پکڑے "پڑھوں یا نہ پڑھوں" سوچ رہے ہوں‬
Best of Luck for CSS2025