English Precis paper 2016

Question 2, precis

A Trip to Cherokee

According to the author, he went on a trip with his friends to Cherokee during his vacations. It was a
thrilling adventure as per wish of the author. They went to a native town known as Qualla Boundary
which was a fascinating place. Apart from its natural beauty, it also intrigued them with its historical and
cultural reserves. Furthermore, they visited different shops with displays of traditional items. They also
made acquaintance with a native man, George who shared with them information about himself and the
means of earnings of other inhabitants. Finally, they payed a visit to the museum which exhibited
various relics of the Cherokee culture. In a nutshell, the author enjoyed his trip profoundly and
anticipates to travel to other enthralling places like Cherokee.

Question 3, comprehension passage

1. Why most of us fail in our efforts for self-improvement?

Ans: Most of us fail in our effort of self-improvement because the plans made are excessively hard to
bring into practice.

2. Why is it a basic mistake to announce our resolution to everybody?

Ans: The mistake in announcing the resolution to everybody is that one appears to be unwise to others
in case of failure to stick to the resolution.
3. Why did the writer not carry out his resolution on New Year’s Day?
Ans: The overnight party on New Year eve kept the writer busy because of which he couldn’t carry out
his resolutions on New Year’s day.

4. Find out the words in the above passage which convey the similar meaning to the following:
(1) Intimidating: Formidable
Others: Forbidding, redoubtable, daunting, alarming, frightening, terrifying, petrifying, horrifying,
chilling, disturbing, disquieting, dreadful, brooding, awesome, fearsome, ominous, foreboding, sinister,
menacing, mean-looking, threatening, dangerous, spooky, scary, creey,direful, onerous, arduous, taxing,
difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking, stiff, uphill, relentless,
herculean, exhausting, wearing, fatiguing, tiring, punishing, grueling, grinding, killing, knackeing,
toilsome, exigent, capable, able, proficient, adept, droit, accomplished, impressive, strong, powerful,
mighty, terrific, tremendous, great, indomitable, invincible, seasoned, skillful, skilled, gifted, talented,
masterly, virtuoso, expert, knowledgeable, qualified, trained, efficient, good, excellent, brilliant,
outstanding, first class, first rate, mean, wicked, deadly, nifty, crack, ace, stellar
Opposite: comforting, easy, weak
(2) Peril: Pitfall
Others: Danger, jeopardy, risk, hazard, insecurity, uncertainity, menace, threat, pitfall, problem
Opposite: safety, security.
(3) Dwindle: Wane
Others: Disappear, decrease, diminish, dwindle, shrink, contract, tail off, subside, slacken, drrop, sink,
ebb, dim, lessen, dissolve, attenuate, wind down, abate, fail, recede, slump, flag, atrophy, weaken, give in,
give away, deteriorate, crumble, wither, disintegrate, degenerate, evaporate, collapse, vanish, evanesce,
remit
Opposite: wax, increase, grow
(4) Repel: Fended off
Others: Ward off, head off, stave off, hold off, keep off, repel, repulse, resist, forestall, pre-empt, fight
off, defend oneself against, guard against, discourage, prevent, stop, ut a stop to, block, intercept, halt,
arrest, check, curb, hold back, balk, foil, thwart, keep at bay, keep at arm’s length, parry, turn aside,
divert, deflect, avert, skirt around, dodge, duck, escape, evade
Opposite: Encourage
(5) Barb: Jibe
Others: taunt, sneer, jeer, insult, barb, dig, wise-crack, crack, putdown
Question 4, Sentence correction (a)
(i) We were staying at my sister’s cape’s code vacation home.
Ans: We were staying at my sister’s Cape Cod vacation home.
(ii) She recommended me that I take a few days off from work.
Ans: She recommended that I take a few days off from work.
(iii) I tried to explain him the problem, but he had difficulty understanding me.
Ans: I tried to explain the problem to him, but he had difficulty in understanding me.
(iv) I’ll do the grocery shopping for you grandma, Lucy said.
Ans: “I’ll do the grocery shopping for you, Grandma”, Lucy said.
(v) We took a tent, a cooler, and a sleeping bag.
Ans: We took a tent, a cooler and a sleeping bag.
(vi) I don’t know why you didn’t go. If I were you, I should have gone.
Ans: I don’t know why you didn’t go. If I were you, I would have gone.
(vii) Kevin says he stopped to travel internationally because of his family .
Ans: Kevin says he stopped travelling internationally because of his family.
(viii) Don’t run! Mr. Salman shouted.
Ans: “Don’t run!” Mr. Salman shouted.
Sentence correction (b)

1. “It isn’t fair!” shouted Martin, “Coach Lewis never lets me start the game!”
2. Moreen’s three sisters Molly, Shanon and Patricia, are all spending the summer at their
grandmother’s beach house.
 3. For the counterpieces the florist recommended the following flowers: daisies, tulips, daffodils and
hyacinths.
4. Lily is an accomplished gymnast; she won three medals in her last competition.
5. Everyone was shocked when Max Smithfield- a studious, extremely bright high school senior-
decided that school was not for him.
Question 5, Analogies (a)
1. Horror: Fear
2. Reduction: Diminution
3. Inventor: Imaginative
4. Analogy: Comparison
5. Accountant: Meticulous
6. Devotion: Reverence
7. Radius: Bone
8. Capable: Inept
Question 5(b)
When Helen asked Mr. West that what had happened to John, Mr. West replied that he had left the
company. In response, Helen asked why he had done that. Mr. West replied that John had asked him for a
raise but he did not give it to him. Helen enquired as to why he didn’t give him the raise. Mr. West said
that he was lazy. Helen further enquired if he had found another job. In reply Mr. West said that yes. He
was working in a film company. Helen then asked about what his salary was like. Mr. West said that he
thought he earned quite a lot. Helen asked if he liked his new job. Mr. West replied that he did not know.
Question 6, Pair of words
1: Adverse: Unfavorable, dreadful
The heavy rainfall had adverse effects on the wheat crop.
Averse: Against, hostile to
The headmaster of our school is quite averse to cheating.
2: All together: All at the same time
Faith, morality, truthfulness and sincerity all together contribute to a strong character.
Altogether: Completely, totally
I am not altogether sure that I’ll trust him
3: Allude: Hint at, refer to
This poem alludes to the myth of creation
Elude: Evade, avoid, escape
The robber eluded through the backdoor after stealing the jewelry.
4: Braise: cook in liquid
He likes braised steaks.
Braze: solder together, join together
A disc is brazed to the cut of end of the drill shank.
5: Curb: Restrain, inhibit
She promised she would curb her temper.
Kerb: A stone edging to a pavement or a curved path
Traces of the stone kerb can be seen on the east side.
6: Faze: Disturb or disconcert someone
She was not fazed by his show of anger.
Phase: Stage, period
She was going through a phase of anxiety.
7: Maybe: Possibly
Maybe I won’t go back
May be: He may be a good fellow but I cannot predict.
8: Moat: A deep wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort or town, typically filled with water and intended as
a defence against attack.
The soldiers were hidden in the moat.
Mote: speck, particle
It was no more than a mote of dust.
Question 6 (b)
1: Smash hit: A play, movie, musical etc that is a big success
Her first book was a smash hit while the second one was a disaster.
2: Murphy’s Law: Humorous axiom stating that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Damned Murphy’s Law, the year my batch took the A levels, Chinese wasn’t necessary anymore.
3:Place in the sun: A dominant or favorable position or situation
The Nobel Laureates really enjoyed their place in the sun.
4: Wooden spoon: An imaginary price given to those who finish last ina competition.
For the second year running, Ireland took the wooden spoon in the rugby tournament.
5: Go bananas: to go mildly crazy
I thought he was going to go bananas.
6: Beard the lion in his den: Confront or challenge someone on their own ground
I have always found it difficult to talk to my boss but tomorrow I will have to beard the lion in his den by
asking him for a raise in salary.
7: Groan inwardly: Refers to a feeling where you want to express despair, disapproval or distress but you
keep quiet.
She was quite disappointed at the sarcastic remarks by her friend but looking at the situation se groaned
inwardly.
8: Chicken out: To decide not to do something because one is afraid
He was going to ask her on a date but he chickened out at the last minute.
Question 8, Translation
Generally people think that state’s law and personal freedom are antithetical to each other. Apparently, it
does not look wrong. Every law imposes some curbs on the citizens. If the laws of a country are a great
many, then the civil liberties are curtailed under their burden. On the contrary, if the laws are limited in
number, the citizens enjoy more freedom.