ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION)

Syllabus for CSS

The English (Precis and Composition) examination is a comprehensive test designed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in multiple aspects of the English language. The paper, which carries a total of 100 marks, assesses various linguistic and cognitive skills, ensuring that candidates are well-equipped to understand, analyze, and express ideas in written English. The key areas tested in this exam include Precis Writing, Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Vocabulary, Sentence Structuring, Translation, and related skills. Each section focuses on a different aspect of language use, helping to gauge a candidate’s overall competence in both understanding and producing English content. Below is a detailed breakdown of the exam’s structure and the skills each section is designed to test.

Precis Writing (20 Marks)

The Precis Writing section is one of the core components of this exam, designed to assess the candidate’s ability to summarize and condense a given passage without losing its essential meaning. Candidates will be presented with a passage, typically not too lengthy, that covers a specific topic or idea. Their task is to rewrite this passage in a much shorter form, while retaining the central theme, tone, and important points. The challenge lies not only in reducing the passage’s length but also in ensuring that the condensed version is clear, coherent, and concise.

A significant portion of this section’s marks—15 out of 20—will be awarded based on the quality of the précis itself, including its clarity, coherence, and precision. The remaining 5 marks will be given for suggesting an appropriate title for the précis. The title should encapsulate the essence of the passage, summarizing its main point in a few words. This section tests both reading comprehension and writing skills, making it one of the most important parts of the exam.

Reading Comprehension (20 Marks)

In the Reading Comprehension section, candidates are required to read a moderately challenging passage and answer questions based on it. The passage will cover a range of topics but will not delve into highly technical or specialized subjects, ensuring it is accessible to a wide audience. The five questions that follow the passage will assess the candidate’s understanding of the text, testing how well they grasp its central message, key details, and underlying meaning. Each question is worth 4 marks, and candidates must answer each one accurately to secure full marks. The purpose of this section is to evaluate not only the candidate’s reading comprehension but also their ability to interpret information, make inferences, and support their answers with evidence from the text. It is crucial for candidates to read the passage thoroughly and ensure they understand the nuances of the language used before attempting to answer the questions.

Grammar and Vocabulary (20 Marks)

The Grammar and Vocabulary section tests the candidate’s knowledge of the rules governing English grammar and their ability to apply these rules effectively. This section covers a range of topics, including tense usage, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, punctuation, and sentence structure. Candidates will also be assessed on their vocabulary, specifically in the use of phrasal verbs, synonyms, antonyms, and other lexical items. This section is designed to gauge the candidate’s grasp of the fundamental building blocks of the English language. Errors in grammar can lead to confusion and miscommunication, so it is vital for candidates to demonstrate a strong command of these rules. Similarly, vocabulary knowledge plays a crucial role in effective writing and communication, making this section an essential part of the exam.

Sentence Correction (10 Marks)

In the Sentence Correction section, candidates will be given sentences that contain errors in grammar or punctuation. The task is to identify and correct these errors without altering the meaning of the sentence or making unnecessary changes. This section is designed to test the candidate’s ability to spot and correct mistakes in sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar. Each sentence will present a unique error, and some may focus specifically on punctuation, a common area of difficulty in English writing. The candidates must have a keen eye for detail and a solid understanding of grammatical rules to succeed in this section. This test not only measures the candidate’s knowledge of English grammar but also their precision in editing and revising written content.

Grouping of Words (10 Marks)

The Grouping of Words section requires candidates to group a set of twenty words based on their meanings—either pairing words that are similar in meaning (synonyms) or opposite in meaning (antonyms). This exercise tests the candidate’s vocabulary and their ability to understand subtle differences in meaning. The ability to identify relationships between words is essential for improving both writing and reading comprehension. In this section, candidates will need to use their knowledge of word meanings to categorize the words correctly. This section also helps develop the candidate’s ability to recognize patterns in language, an important skill for enhancing overall linguistic competence.

Pairs of Words (10 Marks)

The Pairs of Words section focuses on words that are frequently confused due to their similarity in sound or meaning. In this part of the exam, candidates will be given ten pairs of such words and asked to explain the difference between them. Additionally, they must use at least five of these pairs in sentences to demonstrate their understanding of the nuances of meaning and usage. This section challenges candidates to think critically about word choice and meaning, helping to refine their vocabulary and improve their writing skills. The ability to distinguish between easily confused words and use them correctly is an essential skill for anyone looking to master English, whether in academic or professional contexts.

Translation (10 Marks)

The final section of the exam of The English (Precis and Composition) is the Translation section, where candidates are given ten short sentences in Urdu. These sentences may include idiomatic expressions, colloquial language, or complex grammatical structures, and the task is to translate them accurately into English. This section tests the candidate’s understanding of both languages—Urdu and English—while also requiring them to grasp the subtleties of meaning, cultural nuances, and linguistic structures. Translating idiomatic expressions or complex sentences can be challenging, as it requires more than just a literal translation; candidates must capture the intended meaning and convey it effectively in English. This section assesses the candidate’s ability to think critically and creatively, ensuring that the translation is both accurate and natural-sounding.

Conclusion

In sum, the English (Precis and Composition) examination is designed to be a comprehensive test of a candidate’s ability to read, comprehend, write, and express ideas in English. Each section is structured to evaluate different skills, including summarization, reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary knowledge, sentence structuring, and translation. Success in this exam requires a well-rounded understanding of the English language, from its grammatical rules to its nuances in meaning and expression. By testing a range of abilities, the exam ensures that candidates are not only proficient in grammar and vocabulary but also skilled at reading critically, summarizing ideas succinctly, and translating complex thoughts into clear, precise language.Home