CSS EXAMINATION –2021:ENGLISH PRECIS & COMPOSITION

   FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION – 2021

                                              ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION)

 FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING/ASSIMILATION I ATTEMPTED /PREPARED SOME OF THE PREVIOUS PAPERS. SHARE THESE SUBSEQUENTLY FOR THE ASPIRANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCOMING EXAMINATIONS.

PART-II 

Q No 2.  Write a précis of the following and suggest a suitable title:          (20)

Nizar Hassan was born in 1960 and raised in the village of Mashhad, near Nazareth, where he has lived with his family. He studied anthropology at Haifa University and after graduating worked in TV. Starting in 1990, he turned to cinema. In 1994, he produced Independence, in which he pokes his Palestinian interlocutors about what they think of the bizarre Israeli notion of their “independence”. They have stolen another people’s homeland and call the act “independence”! Hassan dwells on that absurdity.

As the world’s attention was captured by the news of Israel planning to “annex” yet a bit more of Palestine and add it to what they have already stolen, I received an email from Nizar Hassan, the pre-eminent Palestinian documentary filmmaker. He wrote to me about his latest film, My Grandfather’s Path, and included a link to the director’s cut. It was a blessing. They say choose your enemies carefully for you would end up like them. The same goes for those opposing Zionist settler colonialists. If you are too incensed and angered by their daily dose of claptrap, the vulgarity of their armed robbery of Palestine, you would soon become like them and forget yourself and what beautiful ideas, ideals, and aspirations once animated your highest dreams. Never fall into that trap. For decades, aspects of Palestinian and world cinema, art, poetry, fiction, and drama have done for me precisely that: saved me from that trap. They have constantly reminded me what all our politics are about – a moment of poetic salvation from it all.

Nizar Hassan’s new documentary is one such work – in a moment of dejection over Israel’s encroachment on Palestinian rights and the world’s complicity, it has put Palestine in perspective. The film is mercifully long, beautifully paced and patient, a masterfully crafted work of art – a Palestinian’s epic ode to his homeland. A shorter version of My Grandfather’s Path has been broadcast on Al Jazeera Arabic in three parts, but it must be seen in its entirety, in one go. It is a pilgrimage that must not be interrupted.

A . The passage is a review of the documentary film My Grandfather’s Path by Nizar Hassan, a Palestinian filmmaker who explores the history and identity of his people. The reviewer praises the film as a poetic and artistic expression of the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation and annexation of their land. The reviewer also reflects on how the film helps him avoid becoming bitter and hateful towards the oppressors, and instead focus on the beauty and dignity of the Palestinian cause.

A possible title for the précis is:

A Review of My Grandfather’s Path: A Poetic Journey into Palestine

Q No 3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end.   (20)

In its response to 9/11, America has shown itself to be not only a hyperpower but increasingly assertive and ready to use its dominance as a hyperpower. After declaring a War on Terrorism, America has led two conventional wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq, demonstrating its overwhelmingly awesome military might. But these campaigns reveal something more: America’s willingness to have recourse to arms as appropriate and legitimate means to secure its interests and bolster its security. It has set forth a new doctrine: the right of pre-emptive strike when it considers its security, and therefore its national interests, to be at risk. The essence of this doctrine is the real meaning of hyperpower.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has consistently argued that the only option in the face of hyperpower is to offer wise counsel. But increasingly this is a course that governments and people across the world have refused. The mobilisation for war against Iraq split the United Nations and provoked the largest anti-war demonstrations the world has ever seen. And through it all, America maintained its determination to wage war alone if necessary and not to be counselled by the concerns of supposedly allied governments when they faithfully represented the wishes of their electorates. Rather than engaging in debate, the American government expressed its exasperation. The influential new breed of neoconservative radio and television hosts went much further. They acted as ringmasters for outpourings of public scorn that saw French fries renamed ‘freedom fries’ and moves to boycott French and German produce across America. If one sound-bite can capture a mood, then perhaps it would be Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly. At the height of the tension over a second Security Council resolution to legitimate war in Iraq, Mr O’Reilly told his viewers that the bottom line was security, the security of his family, and in that matter ‘There’s no moral equivalence between the US and Belgium’. It is, in effect, the ethos of hyperpower articulated and made manifest in the public domain of 24-hour talk. And America’s willingness to prosecute war has raised innumerable questions about how it engages with other countries. Afghanistan has seen the removal of the Taliban. But there are no official statistics on the number of innocent civilians dead and injured to achieve that security objective. The people of Afghanistan have witnessed a descent into the chaos that preceded the arrival of the Taliban, a country administered not by a new era of democracy under the tutelage of the hyperpower, but merely by the return of the warlords. Beyond Kabul, much of the country remains too insecure for any meaningful efforts at reconstruction and there is enormous difficulty in bringing relief aid to the rural population.

Questions:                     (4 marks each)

1. Why does the doctrine of power set by neo-imperial America deny space to counselling?
2. What is the essence of ‘moral equivalence’ whereas War has no moral justification?
3. Why do countries occupied and under the tutelage of hypepower have no peace?
4. Arguably Europe and hyperpower US are at cross purposes over the concept of war. Are they? Why?
5. What Tony Blair’s meant by ‘wise counsel’, and did it prevail?

A .       1.  The doctrine of power set by neo-imperial America denies space to counseling because it asserts the right of pre-emptive strike whenever it perceives a threat to its security and interests, regardless of the opinions or objections of other countries or international bodies. It also shows a disregard for the consequences of its actions on the people and regions affected by its wars, as well as a disdain for the views and values of its allies and critics.

2. The essence of ‘moral equivalence’ is the idea that different actions, beliefs, or systems can be judged by the same moral standards, regardless of their context or consequences. In the passage, Bill O’Reilly rejects this idea by implying that the US has a higher moral standing than Belgium and therefore has the right to pursue its security interests by any means necessary, even if it involves war. War, however, has no moral justification, as it violates the principles of human dignity, justice, and peace, and causes immense suffering and destruction.
3. Countries occupied and under the tutelage of hyperpower have no peace because they are subjected to the domination and exploitation of the hyperpower, which imposes its will and agenda on them, without regard for their sovereignty, culture, or welfare. They also face the instability and violence that result from the hyperpower’s interventions, which often create more problems than they solve, and leave behind a legacy of resentment and resistance.
4. Yes, Europe and hyperpower US are at cross purposes over the concept of war. Europe, having experienced the horrors of two world wars, tends to favor diplomacy, cooperation, and multilateralism as the means to resolve conflicts and promote security. Hyperpower US, on the other hand, relies on its military supremacy, unilateralism, and exceptionalism as the basis of its foreign policy, and sees war as a legitimate and effective tool to advance its interests and influence.
5. Tony Blair meant by ‘wise counsel’ the idea that the best way to deal with the hyperpower is to offer advice and guidance, rather than confrontation or opposition, and to try to persuade it to act under international law and norms. However, this did not prevail, as the hyperpower ignored or dismissed the counsel of its allies and the international community, and proceeded with its war plans, regardless of the lack of evidence, legitimacy, or support.

Q No 4.   Correct only FIVE of the following:           (10)

(i)     They were lieing in the sun.

(ii)     He will not come without he is asked.

(iii)   John as well as Harry bear witness to it.

(iv)   The crew was now on board and they soon busied themselves in preparing to meet the coming storm.

(v)    Could I have piece of please?

(vi)   Is there a sport club near by?

(vii)  The coat is quite big.

(viii)  It’s only a short travel by train.

A . ( i) They were lying in the sun.

(ii) He will not come unless he is asked.

(iii) John as well as Harry bears witness to it.

 (iv) The crew were now on board and they soon busied themselves in preparing to meet the coming storm.

(v) Could I have a piece of cake please?

(vi) Is there a sports club nearby?

 (vii) The coat is too big.

 (viii) It’s only a short trip by train.

Q No 5. (a) Punctuate the following text, where necessary.      ( 05)                                        That familiarity produces neglect has been long observed the effect of all external objects however great or splendid ceases with their novelty the courtier stands without emotion in the royal presence the music tramples under his foot the beauties of the spring with little attention to their fragrance and the inhabitant of the coast darts his eye upon the immense diffusion of waters without awe wonder or terror.

A. That familiarity produces neglect has been long observed. The effect of all external objects, however splendid, ceases with their novelty. The courtier stands without emotion in the royal presence; the music tramples under his foot the beauties of the spring, with little attention to their fragrance; and the inhabitant of the coast darts his eye upon the immense diffusion of waters, without awe, wonder, or terror.

(b)Rewrite the following sentences (ONLY FIVE) after filling in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions.                                                                                    (05)

(i)                             The knavish wolf was able_____ convince the pig to let him        his home.

(ii)                          I looked this word ____ in the dictionary,  but I still don’t understand it.

(iii)                       I need to learn these verbs ___ heart        tomorrow.

(iv)                      The morgue is redolent___    the odor of deceased individuals.

(v)                         He is cogitating some means of revenge.

(vi)                      He was reticent___      do anything about the problem.

(vii)                   His body is impervious____ moisture.

(viii)                Ahmad applied ___ the bank for a loan.

A . (i) The knavish wolf was able to convince the pig to let him into his home.

(ii) I looked this word up in the dictionary, but I still don’t understand it.

(iii) I need to learn these verbs by heart tomorrow.

(iv) The morgue is redolent of the odor of deceased individuals.

(v) He is cogitating on some means of revenge.

(vi) He was reticent to do anything about the problem.

(vii) His body is impervious to moisture.

(viii) Ahmad applied to the bank for a loan.

Use the pairs of words in sentences clearly illustrating their meanings. (10)

(i) Gibe, Jibe (ii) Epigram, Epigraph

(iii) Brawl, Bawl (iv) Crib, Crypt

(v) Barmy, Balmy (vi) Peat, Petite

(vii) Monogamous, Monogenous (viii) Postilion, Posterior

(vii) Monogamous, Monogenous (viii) Postilion, Posterior

A . (i) He ignored the gibes of his critics and continued with his work. / The boat jibed suddenly and the sail hit him in the face.

 (ii) Oscar Wilde was famous for his witty epigrams. / The book began with an epigraph from Shakespeare.

 (iii) The fans started a brawl after the match and the police had to intervene. / The baby bawled loudly when he dropped his toy.

 (iv) The students were caught using cribs during the exam. / The crypt was dark and damp and full of coffins.

 (v) He was barmy enough to think he could fly. / The weather was balmy and pleasant.

 (vi) They used peat as a fuel for their fire. / She was a petite woman with delicate features.

 (vii) He was monogamous and faithful to his wife. / The species was monogenous and reproduced by self-fertilization.

 (viii) The postilion rode on the left horse and guided the carriage. / He fell on his posterior and bruised it badly.