CSS 2023 Solved English Précis and Composition Paper | Are you looking for CSS 2023 solved English Précis and Composition Paper? Here is the paper solved by Sir Syed Kazim Ali
Whether it is CSS or PMS, English papers in both examinations are divided into essays and precis. To talk about the precis paper, aspirants think that learning grammar books and memorizing some error rules can help them qualify for this paper. So, they keep practising sentence corrections and grammar exercises from various books, which do not help them crack the paper in the examination. English, for sure, has dozens of cryptic grammatical rules, many of which the CSS PMS examiner does not test. But, without any doubt, the CSS and PMS precis papers are not set out to test grammar rules; they, instead, are set up to check your clarity of the written expression and your language sense. So, as long as you do not learn the functionality of the parts of speech, sentence structuring, appropriate vocabulary usage, and English grammar from basic to advanced level, you cannot crack this paper.
Let’s consider the following sentences
- Crossing the road, a motorbike almost struck me.
The sentence is wrong because it does not communicate the intended meaning to the examiner. The grammatical meaning of the sentence is that a motorbike was crossing the road. However, the intended meaning is that as I crossed the road, a motorbike almost struck me.
- Similar to a floppy disk, data is usually stored in the hard disk in sectors.
The sentence is wrong because it also does not communicate the intended meaning to the examiner. The grammatical meaning of the sentence is that the data is similar to a floppy disk. However, the intended meaning is that “Similar to a floppy disk, the hard drive stores data in sectors.”
To help CSS and PMS aspirants understand how to attempt the precis paper, I have solved the CSS 2023 Precis and Composition paper. You will find the solution in the following order:
- ✓ Sentence Correction
- ✓ Pair of Words
- ✓ Prepositions
- ✓ Punctuation
- ✓ Translation
- ✓ Precis
- ✓ Comprehension
CSS 2023 Solved Sentence Correction
Sentence Correction – 1
His knowledge of languages and international relations aid him in his work.
Sentence Correction
His knowledge of languages and international relations aids him in his work.
Explanation
If a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb of a sentence, it usually leads non-natives to commit subject-verb agreement errors. If it comes, you always have to see the subject coming before the preposition in a prepositional phrase; if the subject is singular, the verb is singular, and so on. Similarly, in this sentence, a prepositional phrase is put between the subject and verb of the sentence, which has nothing to do with the main verb of the sentence. And the subject of the sentence is singular, so you just need to place a singular verb, “Aids”, to correct the sentence.
Sentence Correction – 2
The ambassador, with his family and staff, invite you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon.
Sentence Correction
The ambassador, with his family and staff, invites you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon.
Explanation
If two singular or plural subjects are connected with any of the following words, we always place the verb and the pronoun according to the first subject.
Subject Connectors
- ✓ As well as
- ✓ In addition to
- ✓ Besides
- ✓ Like
- ✓ Unlike
- ✓ But
- ✓ Except
- ✓ With
- ✓ Together with
- ✓ Along with
- ✓ Of
- ✓ Not
- ✓ Including
- ✓ Excluding
- ✓ Accompanied by
- ✓ Suggested by
- ✓ Headed by
- ✓ Guided by
- ✓ Controlled by
- ✓ 3rd V + by
Important Note
Always remember, in this case, we always enclose the second subject within commas – because they have nothing to do with action played by the subject.
Examples:
- ✓ Alia, as well as Ali, is going to watch a movie.
- ✓ Pakistan, guided by America, has decided not to engage herself again in Afghanistan.
- ✓ You, as well as I, are going to watch a movie.
- ✓ He, along with his friends, is going to watch a movie.
- ✓ India, suggested by Americans, invested a lot in Afghanistan.
Sentence Correction – 3
This year, he will sit in the CSS examination.
Sentence Correction
This year, he will sit for the CSS examination.
Explanation
In this sentence, there is an issue with the phrasal verb. The phrasal verb “Sit In” means to attend a meeting or discussion with taking an active part in it. The other meaning of it is to occupy a place to record a protest.
However, the idiomatic expression “Sit for an exam” means to take an examination in a formal setting or situation.
Therefore, to correct the sentence, we just need to replace “Sit In” with “Sit for”.
Examples
- ✓ All CSS aspirants will have their personal belongings inspected before they sit for the examination to ensure that no one is able to cheat.
- ✓ It was only when Nimra sat for her final test that she realized she had left her calculator at home.
- ✓ If my teacher hadn’t convinced me to sit for the CSS examination, I would never have gotten into CSA.
Sentence Correction – 4
The Chief Executive will let us know whether or not he can attend the meeting.
Sentence Correction
The Chief Executive will let us know whether he can attend the meeting.
Explanation
In this sentence, the problem exists in the expression “Whether or not”. Let me help you understand it. Most non-natives get confused when to use “Whether” and when to use “Whether or not”.
The use of “Whether Or Not”
We use “Whether or not” to give an opposite alternative. We use “Whether or not” when we want to mean despite, regardless, notwithstanding, etc. It presents a binary choice between two options. We use this when we want to tell somebody that something will happen regardless of whether A happens or B happens. Remember, “Whether or not” is a commonly used expression that means “regardless of whether.” A synonym for whether or not is “even if.”
Examples
- ✓ They will go to the mart whether or not it rains.
They will go to the mart even if it rains. - ✓ She will be there whether or not she is ready.
She will be there even if she is not ready. - ✓ I am going to join you tonight whether or not I finish my work.
I am going to join you tonight even if I do not finish my work. - ✓ Fatima always says what she thinks, whether or not it is polite.
Fatima always says what she thinks, even if it is not polite.
The use of “Whether”
However, we use the expression “Whether” (without not), when we want to mean “If”. In this case, we use “Whether”, instead of “Whether or not”. Remember, “Whether” is a conjunction that we usually use to express an indirect question.
Examples
- ✓ My brother still does not have an idea whether (if) the mail has arrived.
(Did the mail arrive?) - ✓ I called the hotel to see whether (if) they take reservations in advance.
(Do they take reservations?) - ✓ He is not sure whether (if) his answer was good enough to be published.
(Will his answer be published?)
When to use “Whether” and when to use “Whether or not”
If the sentence doesn’t make sense with “if,” you should use “whether or not”.
Thus, to correct the answer, we have to replace “Whether or not” with “Whether”.
Sentence Correction – 5
When he came back from vacation, Aslam and me plan to look for another apartment.
Correct Sentence
- ✓ When he comes back from vacation, Aslam and I will plan to look for another apartment.
- ✓ When he returns from vacation, Aslam and I will plan to look for another apartment.
- ✓ When he came back from vacation, Aslam and I planned to look for another apartment.
Explanation
In this sentence, there are multiple errors.
- ✓ Verb error in the first clause
- ✓ Objective case error
- ✓ Another verb error in the second clause
When we want to talk about future situations, events, plans, etc., that can be possible, we use the first conditional. In the first conditional sentences, the structure is the following:
If/When/Unless/As long as/As soon as + Present Simple + Present Indefinite Tense
Examples
- ✓ When (if) my brother arrives, I will leave.
- ✓ When (if) I get a good job, I will buy you something expensive.
Thus, to correct the sentence, we have to replace “Came Back” with “Comes Back or Returns”, and “Plan to look” with “Will Plan to Look”.
Sentence Correction – 6
If some of you make a noise, they shall be punished.
Sentence Correction
If some of you make a noise, you shall be punished.
Sentence Correction – 7
He came to me to enquire what is the salary attached to the appointment.
Sentence Correction
He came to me to enquire what the salary is attached to the appointment.
Explanation
In this sentence, there is an error in the use of a noun clause. Whether a noun clause works as a subject or an object in a sentence, we never write this clause in interrogative form. So, to correct the sentence, we just need to place “IS” after the word “Salary”.
Remember, the verb in a noun clause has nothing to do with the verb in the main sentence.
Sentence Correction – 8
I am too tired that I do not hunt words and idioms in my English book.
Sentence Correction
- ✓ I am too tired to hunt words and idioms in my English book.
- ✓ I am too tired that I cannot hunt words and idioms in my English book.
Explanation
In this sentence, there are two errors: a verb of possibility and “Too…To” construction.
When we use the adverb “Too” in the first clause, we always use a modal verb (can, could, etc.) in the next clause.
Moreover, the adverb “Too” has a negative connotation that means more than what is necessary or desired. And by reading the sentence, we can understand that the subject is tired enough that he cannot do anything.
So, to correct the sentence, we have to replace “That I Do Not” with “To” or with “That I Cannot”
CSS 2023 Solved Pair of Words
1- Antic vs Antique
| Antic (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Odd and Funny |
| Example Sentences |
| The guests were delighted with your antic humor. |
| The antic-comic dialogues used in the theatre play kept the audience entertained. |
| To keep yourself distracted from depression, you must try watching some antic, comedy movies. |
| Antique (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Old-fashioned |
| Example Sentences |
| Nowadays, there is a new trend of wearing antique clothes owned by one’s mothers on one’s own wedding. |
| She gifted an antique piece of jewelry to her daughter-in-law. |
| She was looking ethereal in the whole ceremony with her antique styled dress. |
2- Drought vs Draught
| Drought (n) |
| Meaning |
| A long period of time, during which no rain falls |
| Example Sentences |
| Droughts can be prevented by planting trees at large scale. |
| Pakistan is facing severe meteorological droughts and floods. |
| The recent wave of climate change has caused extreme droughts in the country. |
| Draught (n) |
| Meaning |
| A current of air; beer kept in barrels |
| Example Sentences |
| She drank the syrup in a single draught. |
| Cold draughts in the hidden corners of the room can cause flue, so be safe. |
| Aisha took a draught of ice water that hurt her throat. |
3- Quaint vs Queer
| Quaint (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Attractive because of being unusual and old-fashioned |
| Example Sentences |
| The model made a statement with her quaint piece of jewelry. |
| Her uncle lives in a quaint house that he bought from his colleague. |
| The quaint velvety clothes are trending again in Pakistan. |
| Queer (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Strange |
| Example Sentences |
| The queer theory regarding the LGBTQ community has started a new controversy in the country. |
| She passed such an out of the box and queer statement that no one was able to absorb it. |
| He had a queer feeling that he would fall from the stairs. |
4- Momentary vs Momentous
| Momentary (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Short-lived |
| Example Sentences |
| She asked me to go with her, and after a momentary hesitation, I nodded |
| The principal’s momentary silence on my request for leave gave me anxiety. |
| I had a momentary hesitation at the start of my interview, but things normalized soon. |
| Momentous (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Significant |
| Example Sentences |
| Minar-e-Pakistan was built at the location of the momentous Lahore Resolution. |
| Since she was the eldest daughter, her graduation momentous occasion for her family. |
| I had a momentous tour with my friends to Skardu last year. |
5- Compliment vs Complement
| Compliment (v) |
| Meaning |
| To make a polite remark made to appreciate somebody |
| Example Sentences |
| Sir Kazim complimented me for writing a perfect essay on global warming. |
| The interviewer complimented him for his amazing communication skills |
| Aslam is pleased today because his boss has complimented him on his excellent work. |
| Complement (v) |
| Meaning |
| Something that going well with another thing and makes the latter more noticeable |
| Example Sentences |
| They look like perfect partners as they complement each other in every aspect of life. |
| Mint Margarita would nicely complement the beef steak. |
| This necklace will definitely complement your dress. |
6- Eminent vs Imminent
| Eminent (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Prominent |
| Example Sentences |
| It is quite eminent from his behaviour that he is not serious regarding his career. |
| Despite the insights of eminent doctors from all over the world, Pfizer could not prevent the spread of Covid-19. |
| It has now become eminent that non-state actors would take benefit from the current politically polarized situation in Pakistan. |
| Imminent (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Approaching |
| Example Sentences |
| De-globalization is imminent amid the ongoing China-US trade war. |
| Pakistan’s economy is imminent to face yet another major setback amid the contemporary political instability. |
| In 2019, war seemed imminent between Pakistan and India due to the Pulwama attack. |
7- Feint vs Faint
| Feint (v) |
| Meaning |
| A mock attack or movement to distract an adversary |
| Example Sentences |
| The Modi Government feinted on the real cause of Kashmir by revoking article 370 of the Indian Constitution. |
| His victory was due to his ability to feint. |
| The wrestler feinted his fist in the East and hit in the West. |
| Faint (v/n) |
| Meaning |
| Pass out; dim |
| Example Sentences |
| She fainted then and there after hearing about the death of her mother. |
| He was immediately shifted to the hospital as he fainted because of his low sugar level. |
| There was a faint beam of light coming from the room. |
8- Immigrant vs Emigrant
| Immigrant (adj) |
| Meaning |
| Settler |
| Example Sentences |
| Canada is a country large immigrant population. |
| It becomes difficult for immigrants to find work if they don’t know that language. |
| Thousands of immigrants shifted to New York in 2022. |
| Emigrant (adj) |
| Meaning |
| A person who has left their own country to live in another country |
| Example Sentences |
| Pakistani emigrants are facing the worst situation in the countries abroad. |
| My brother is a Pakistani emigrant to the UAE. |
| Rosie Gabrielle is a Canadian emigrant to Pakistan where she has married Adeel Amer. |
CSS 2023 Solved Prepositions
Re-write the following sentences after filling in the blanks with an appropriate preposition.
Question#1
The neighbours came ______ my house to see what’s going on in the house.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
The neighbours came to my house to see what’s going on in the house.
Explanation
The phrasal verb “Come To” means physically moving to a place to do an action or activity. So, the correct preposition here would be “To”.
Question#2
She sat _____ the shade of the tree.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
- ✓ She sat in the shade of the tree.
- ✓ She sat under the shade of the tree.
Explanation
The correct answer would be “She sat in/under the shade of the tree.” The use of both ‘in’ and ‘under’ is correct. While the natives tend to use “in the shade of the tree” and that’s why it is very frequently used in forming sentences in the English language. However, the use of “under the shade of a tree” is also grammatically correct. So, we can use both.
Question#3
The moon does not shine _____ its own light.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
The moon does not shine by its own light
Explanation
By + Its/Her/His/Your/One’s/Etc. + Own means by oneself. We use this construction to show that somebody or something does or does not do something by itself. So, the correct preposition is “By”.
Question#4
The burglar jumped _____ the compound wall.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
The burglar jumped over the compound wall.
Explanation
The phrasal verb “Jump Over” means to travel over the top of something by leaping. So, the correct preposition here would be “Over”.
Question#5
She entered _____ an argument with them.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
She entered into an argument with them.
Explanation
The phrasal verb “Enter Into” means to become involved in an activity, argument, situation, matter, or discussion. So, the correct proposition here would be “Into”.
Question#6
I have been working hard ______ arithmetic.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
I have been working hard on arithmetic.
Explanation
The preposition “On” has many uses in the English language. However, to fill in the given blank, we must understand that we always work on a subject or skill. So, the correct proposition here would be “On”.
Question#7
He got _______ his bicycle.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
- ✓ He got down from his bicycle.
- ✓ He got down off his bicycle.
Explanation
Get Down From or Get Down Off means to come or go down from a higher to a lower position. We use these phrasal verbs to describe a person removing himself from an object relatively higher to the surface, such as a tree, ladder, roof, bicycle, bike, bus, etc.
Question#8
It cannot be done ______ offence.
Sentence with appropriate preposition
It cannot be done without offence.
CSS 2023 Solved Punctuation
Original Paragraph
While taking a nap on the porch one hot summer day hodja dreamed that a stranger promised to give him ten pieces of gold the stranger placed them in hodjas hand one by one until he reached the tenth piece, which he hesitated to give him come on what are you waiting for said hodja you promised me ten just then he woke up he immediately looked at this hand and saw that it was empty he quickly shut his eyes again stretched out his hand and said all right I ll settle for nine
Solved Punctuation by Sir Syed Kazim Ali
While taking a nap on the porch one hot summer day, Hodja dreamed that a stranger promised to give him ten pieces of gold. The stranger placed them in Hodja’s hand one by one until he reached the tenth piece, which he hesitated to give him. “Come on! What are you waiting for?” said Hodja. “You promised me ten!” Just then, he woke up. He immediately looked at this hand and saw that it was empty. He quickly shut his eyes again, stretched out his hand and said, “All right, I’ll settle for nine!”
CSS 2023 Solved Paragraph
Urdu Paragraph
بزرگ نے بتایا کہ جنگل کے پار ایک پہاڑ ہے جہاں وہ پھول اگتا ہے جس کی خوشبو سے آنکھوں کی کھوئی ہوئی روشنی لوٹ آتی ہے۔ مگر پہاڑ بہت بلند ہے اور اس پر بے شمار چٹانیں ہیں، کانٹے دار جھاڑیاں ہیں اوربڑے بڑے پتھر ہیں جو راستہ روک لیتے ہیں۔ اس پہاڑ پر جانے کے لیے کئی لوگ آئے اور چلے گئے مگر ایسا کوئی شخص نہیں آیا جو پھول تک پہنچا ہو۔ شاید اسی لیے دنیا میں دکھ اور تکلیف ہے اور انسان روشنی کی تلاش میں ہے
Translation by Sir Syed Kazim Ali
The sage said there is a mountain across the forest where the flower grows, whose fragrance restores the eyes’ lost light. However, the mountain is very high, with countless rocks, thorny bushes and big stones blocking the way to that. So to get their hands on that flower, a great many people came and went, but none reached that. That may be why there is grief in the world and man is searching for light.
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CSS Solved Essays
CSS 2023 Solved Precis
Original Passage
On the question of freedom in education, there are at present three main schools of thought, deriving partly from differences as to ends and partly from differences in psychological theory. There are those who say that children should be completely free, however bad they may be; there are those who say they should be completely subject to authority, however good they may be; and there are those who say they should be free, but in spite on freedom they should be always good. This last party is larger than it has any logical right to be; children, like adults, will not all be virtuous if they are all free. The belief that liberty will ensure moral perfection is a relic of Rousseauism and would not survive a study of animals and babies. Those who hold this belief think that education should have no positive purpose but should merely offer an environment suitable for spontaneous development. I cannot agree with this school, which seems to me too individualistic and unduly indifferent to the importance of knowledge. We live in communities which require cooperation, and it would be utopian to expect all the necessary cooperation to result from spontaneous impulse. The existence of a large population on a limited area is only possible owing to science and technique; education must, therefore, hand on the necessary minimum of these. The educators who allow most freedom are men whose success depends upon a degree of benevolence, self-control, and trained intelligence, which can hardly be generated where every impulse is left unchecked; their merits, therefore, are not likely to be perpetuated if their methods are undiluted. Education, viewed from a social standpoint, must be something more positive than a mere opportunity for growth. It must, of course, provide this, but it must also provide a mental and moral equipment which children cannot acquire entirely for themselves.
Solved Precis
Among the three schools of thought regarding freedom in children’s education, Rousseau galvanized the third one, which states that freedom is necessary for children to be upright. However, to the author, despite being well received, this view doesn’t hold water as it overlooks the fact that children, on their own, cannot be so virtuous. Arguably, the world today not just requires impulsive intuition to be cooperative but is in dire need of a well-coordinated, self-controlled, and disciplined community. Thus, education should be of dual advantage and must provide both a map for advancement and a basis for children’s morality and upstanding.
- ✓ Title: Meaning Purposive Education
- ✓ Total word count (311)
- ✓ Total words in precis (101)
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Miss Iqra Ali & Dr Nishat Baloch, Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students.
CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers
Want to read CSS Pakistan Affairs Solved Past Papers and learn how to attempt them to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers’ questions have been attempted by Sir Kazim’s students, who scored the highest in the subject.
CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs
CSS Solved International Relations’ Past Papers
Have you opted for International Relations in the CSS examination and want to score above 150? Then, click on the CSS Solved International Relations’ Past Papers by Miss Abeera Fatima, the top IR scorer and the best IR coach in Pakistan.
CSS Solved International Relations Past Papers
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