Grand Mock

English Precis & Composition

PART 1

Question 1

Part (a): Select Synonyms of the following

1. Formidable

a) Intimidating b) Daunting c) Impressive d) Unimposing

2. Sagacious

a) Wise b) Discerning c) Astute d) Naive

3. Incisive

a) Sharp b) Penetrating c) Perceptive d) Dull

4. Indomitable

a) Unyielding b) Invincible c) Unconquerable d) Submissive

5. Relentless

a) Persistent b) Unyielding c) Tireless d) Lethargic

6. Astute

a) Shrewd b) Discerning c) Insightful d) Foolish

7. Inexorable

a) Relentless b) Unyielding c) Unstoppable d) Capricious

8. Pernicious

a) Harmful b) Destructive c) Malevolent d) Beneficial

9. Intrepid

a) Fearless b) Courageous c) Brave d) Timid

10. Indefatigable

a) Tireless b) Unflagging c) Unrelenting d) Sluggish

Part (b) : Select Antonyms of the following. (10 Marks)

1. Resplendent

a) Dull b) Plain c) Mundane d) Lackluster

2. Elated

a) Despondent b) Jubilant c) Ecstatic d) Overjoyed

3. Buoyant

a) Sinking b) Submerged c) Immersed d) Plunging

4. Austere

a) Luxurious b) Lavish c) Opulent d) Sumptuous

5. Volatile

a) Stable b) Unchanging c) Constant d) Consistent

6. Surreptitious

a) Overt b) Open c) Public d) Transparent

7. Apathetic

a) Enthusiastic b) Passionate c) Eager d) Zealous

8. Mundane

a) Extraordinary b) Remarkable c) Exceptional d) Unique

9. Esoteric

a) Common b) Mainstream c) Conventional d) Popular

10. Parsimonious

a) Generous b) Lavish c) Extravagant d) Bountiful

 PART 2

Question 2: read the passage carefully and write a precis, also suggest a suitable title. (20 marks)

The attention we give to terrorism often seems disproportionate to its real importance. Terrorism
incidents make superb copy for journalists, but kill and main fewer people than road accidents. Nor is
terrorism politically effective. Empires rise and fall according to the real determinants of politics —
namely overwhelming force or strong popular support-not according to a bit of mayhem caused by
isolated fanatics whom one would take seriously enough to vote for it. Indeed, the very variety of
incidents that might be described as “terrorism” has been such as to lead critics to suggest that no single
subject for investigation exists at all. Might we not regard terrorism as a kind of minor blotch on the skin
of an industrial civilization whose very heart is filled with violent dreams and aspirations. Who would call
in the dermatologist when the heart itself is sick?

But popular opinion takes terrorism very serious indeed and popular opinion is probably right. For the
significance of terrorism lies not only in the grotesque nastiness of terrorist outrages but also in the
moral claims they imply. Terrorism is the most dramatic exemplification of the moral fault of blind
willfulness. Terrorism is a solipsistic denial of the obligation of self-control we all must recognize when
we live in civilized communities. Certainly the sovereign high road to misunderstanding terrorism is the
pseudo scientific project of attempting to discover its causes. Terrorists themselves talk of the
frustrations which have supposedly necessitated their actions but to transform these facile justifications
into scientific hypotheses is to succumb to the terrorists own fantasies. To kill and main people is a
choice people make, and glib invocations of necessity are baseless. Other people living in the same
situation see no such necessity at all. Hence there are no “causes” of terrorism, only decision to
terrorize. It is a moral phenomenon and only a moral discussion can be adequate to it.

Q. 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?

Q. 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.

Q. 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.

(b) Re-write 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.

Q. 6. Use only FIVE of 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