CSS English Precis and Composition Vocabulary Syllabus

Vocabulary syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Vocabulary in CSS English Precis and Composition, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Synonyms and Antonyms

   3 topics

   • Building High-Frequency Word Lists
   • Contextual Synonym Selection
   • Antonym Identification
2. 2

   Grouping of Words

   3 topics

   • Pairing by Similar Meaning
   • Pairing by Opposite Meaning
   • Tackling Moderate-Difficulty Word Sets
3. 3

   Pairs of Words

   3 topics

   • Commonly Confused Word Pairs
   • Explaining Differences with Definitions
   • Using Each Word in a Sentence
4. 4

   Idioms and Expressions

   3 topics

   • Common English Idioms and Meanings
   • Proverbs and Their Usage
   • Idiomatic Expressions in Context

Vocabulary flashcards for CSS English Precis and Composition

25 of 50 cards from the Vocabulary deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In building a high-frequency word list for CSS Precis, what is the primary criterion for choosing which words to memorize first?

   Choose words by their frequency and likelihood of appearing in past CSS papers and standard texts, prioritizing words that recur most often in editorials, comprehension passages, and the synonym/antonym section, so revision effort yields maximum marks.

2. What is a synonym?

   A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in the same language (e.g., 'happy' and 'joyful').

3. What is an antonym?

   A word that has the opposite meaning to another word (e.g., 'expand' and 'contract').

4. In contextual synonym selection, why can the 'best' synonym change from one sentence to another?

   Because synonyms differ in connotation, register, and collocation; the correct choice is the one whose shade of meaning and tone fit the surrounding context, not merely a dictionary match.

5. Choose the contextually correct synonym for 'frank' in: 'She gave a frank assessment of the plan.' Options: candid, brutal, secretive.

   Candid — it conveys honest and open assessment, matching the neutral-to-positive tone, whereas 'brutal' and 'secretive' distort the meaning.

6. Give a precise synonym and antonym for the word 'abundant'.

   Synonym: plentiful (or copious). Antonym: scarce (or scanty).

7. Give a precise synonym and antonym for the word 'transparent'.

   Synonym: clear (or lucid). Antonym: opaque.

8. Give a precise synonym and antonym for the word 'benevolent'.

   Synonym: kind (or charitable). Antonym: malevolent (or cruel).

9. Give a precise synonym and antonym for the word 'ascend'.

   Synonym: rise (or climb). Antonym: descend.

10. Give a precise synonym and antonym for the word 'candid'.

    Synonym: frank (or straightforward). Antonym: evasive (or guarded).

11. Pair these words by similar meaning: 'frugal' matches which of — lavish, thrifty, careless?

    Thrifty — both 'frugal' and 'thrifty' mean economical and sparing with money or resources.

12. Pair these words by similar meaning: 'lethargic' matches which of — energetic, sluggish, alert?

    Sluggish — both 'lethargic' and 'sluggish' mean lacking energy and slow to act.

13. Pair these words by similar meaning: 'meticulous' matches which of — careless, precise, hasty?

    Precise — both 'meticulous' and 'precise' mean showing great attention to detail and exactness.

14. Pair these words by similar meaning: 'obstinate' matches which of — flexible, stubborn, agreeable?

    Stubborn — both 'obstinate' and 'stubborn' mean unwilling to change one's opinion or course.

15. Pair these words by opposite meaning: 'optimistic' is the opposite of which — hopeful, pessimistic, cheerful?

    Pessimistic — 'optimistic' (expecting good outcomes) is the opposite of 'pessimistic' (expecting bad outcomes).

16. Pair these words by opposite meaning: 'condense' is the opposite of which — compress, shorten, expand?

    Expand — 'condense' (make denser/shorter) is the opposite of 'expand' (make larger/longer).

17. Pair these words by opposite meaning: 'humble' is the opposite of which — modest, arrogant, meek?

    Arrogant — 'humble' (modest) is the opposite of 'arrogant' (haughty and self-important).

18. Pair these words by opposite meaning: 'permanent' is the opposite of which — lasting, fixed, transient?

    Transient — 'permanent' (lasting indefinitely) is the opposite of 'transient' (temporary, fleeting).

19. Define the moderate-difficulty word 'ephemeral' and give a one-word synonym.

    'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. Synonym: fleeting (or transient).

20. Define the moderate-difficulty word 'pragmatic' and give a one-word synonym.

    'Pragmatic' means dealing with things sensibly and realistically rather than idealistically. Synonym: practical.

21. Define the moderate-difficulty word 'ambiguous' and give a one-word synonym.

    'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation; unclear. Synonym: vague (or equivocal).

22. Define the moderate-difficulty word 'tenacious' and give a one-word synonym.

    'Tenacious' means holding firmly to a purpose; persistent. Synonym: persistent (or determined).

23. Define the moderate-difficulty word 'candour' and give a one-word synonym.

    'Candour' means the quality of being open and honest. Synonym: frankness (or sincerity).

24. Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'affect' and 'effect'.

    'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence ('The rain affected turnout'); 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result ('The rain had an effect on turnout'). As a verb, 'effect' means to bring about ('effect change').

25. Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'principal' and 'principle'.

    'Principal' means chief/most important, or the head of a school ('the principal reason'); 'principle' is a noun meaning a fundamental rule or belief ('a man of principle').

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