PMS Compulsory Papers English (Precis, Composition & Translation) Syllabus

English (Precis, Composition & Translation) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English (Precis, Composition & Translation) in PMS Compulsory Papers, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Precis Writing

   4 topics

   • Principles of Precis
   • Summarising Techniques
   • Suggesting an Appropriate Title
   • Common Errors in Precis
2. 2

   Comprehension

   4 topics

   • Reading Unseen Passages
   • Answering Inferential Questions
   • Identifying Tone and Purpose
   • Paraphrasing in Own Words
3. 3

   Grammar and Usage

   5 topics

   • Parts of Speech
   • Tenses
   • Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Articles, Prepositions and Conjunctions
   • Correction of Sentences
4. 4

   Vocabulary

   4 topics

   • Synonyms and Antonyms
   • One-Word Substitutions
   • Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
   • Pairs of Words and Spellings
5. 5

   Sentence Structure and Composition

   4 topics

   • Active and Passive Voice
   • Direct and Indirect Speech
   • Punctuation
   • Sentence Transformation
6. 6

   Translation

   4 topics

   • Urdu to English Translation
   • Translating Idiomatic Expressions
   • Maintaining Sense and Accuracy
   • Common Translation Pitfalls

English (Precis, Composition & Translation) flashcards for PMS Compulsory Papers

19 of 50 cards from the English (Precis, Composition & Translation) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a precis?

   A precis is a concise, clear summary of a longer passage that restates the essential ideas and main points in the writer's own words, while preserving the original meaning, order, and tone.

2. What is the standard length of a precis relative to the original passage?

   A precis should be about one-third (roughly 33%) the length of the original passage.

3. In which person and tense is a precis normally written?

   A precis is written in the third person and usually in the past tense (reported speech), avoiding direct speech and first/second person.

4. List four essential qualities of a good precis.

   Clarity, brevity (conciseness), coherence, and completeness (all main ideas retained, no distortion of meaning).

5. Should a precis include your own opinions, comments, or new ideas?

   No. A precis must be objective; it should contain only the ideas in the original passage, with no personal opinions, criticism, or additional information.

6. Why must a precis be written in your own words rather than copying the original?

   Because the purpose is to demonstrate comprehension and the ability to condense; copying phrases shows no real summarising and defeats the exercise.

7. What are the basic steps in the process of writing a precis?

   1) Read the passage carefully (more than once), 2) Find the central idea/theme, 3) Note the main points and omit illustrations/examples, 4) Write a rough draft, 5) Count and adjust the words, 6) Revise for grammar, coherence, and a suitable title.

8. In summarising, what kinds of material should be omitted from the original?

   Examples, illustrations, repetitions, quotations, rhetorical questions, figures of speech, and minor or supporting details.

9. What is the key difference between a summary and a paraphrase?

   A summary shortens the text and gives only main ideas (reduced length), while a paraphrase restates the full meaning in different words at roughly the same length.

10. What is the most important first step before summarising any passage?

    Reading the passage thoroughly (usually two or more times) to grasp its central idea and overall meaning.

11. How should several related details or examples be handled when summarising?

    They should be combined or generalised into a single broad statement (generalisation) rather than listed individually.

12. What qualities make a good title for a precis or passage?

    It should be short, relevant, and reflect the central theme or main idea of the passage; usually a word or short phrase, not a full sentence.

13. From which part of a passage is the title usually drawn?

    From the central idea or main theme of the passage, often hinted at in the topic sentence or the most recurring/dominant idea.

14. Should a title for a precis be a complete sentence?

    No. A title should normally be a brief phrase or a few key words, not a full sentence.

15. Name three common errors students make when writing a precis.

    Copying sentences verbatim from the original, exceeding/falling short of the required length, and including personal opinions or omitting essential ideas (distorting the meaning).

16. Is using direct speech a fault in a precis? Why?

    Yes. Direct speech must be converted to indirect (reported) speech, because a precis is written in the third person and reported style.

17. What error occurs when a precis retains examples and illustrations?

    It becomes too long and fails the purpose of condensation; examples and illustrations should be omitted, keeping only the ideas they support.

18. What is an 'unseen passage' in comprehension exercises?

    A previously unstudied text given in an exam that students must read and then answer questions on to test reading comprehension and inference skills.

19. What is a recommended strategy for tackling an unseen comprehension passage?

    Read the passage first for general meaning, then read the questions, then re-read the passage to locate specific answers, and answer in your own words where required.

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