FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION – 2021
ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION)
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TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS PART-I(MCQS): MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES |
PART-I (MCQS) MAXIMUM
MARKS = 20 PART-II MAXIMUM MARKS
= 80 |
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NOTE: (i) Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book. (ii)
Attempt ALL questions from PART-II. (iii)
All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place
instead of at different places. (iv)
Write Q. No. in the Answer
Book in accordance with Q. No. in the Q.Paper. (v)
No Page/Space be left blank
between the answers. All the blank
pages of Answer
Book must be crossed. (vi) Extra attempt of any question
or any part
of the question will not be
considered. |
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PART-II
Q. 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. 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 counselling 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 favour 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 in accordance
with 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. 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.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 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.
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.
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