English (Precis & Composition) – Past Papers COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION – 2005

Q1. Make a précis of the given passage and suggest a suitable heading (20 +5)

Basically, psychoses and neuroses represent man’s inability to maintain a balanced or equated polarity in conducting his life. The ego becomes exclusively or decidedly one-sided. In psychoses, there is a complete collapse of the ego back into the inner recesses of the personal and collective unconsciouses. When he is repressed toward fulfilling some life goal and is further unable to sublimate himself toward another goal, man regresses into goal structures not actually acceptable to himself or to society. Strong emotional sickness of the psychotic type is like having the shadow run wild. The entire psyche regresses to archaic, animal forms of behaviors.

In less severe forms of emotional sickness, there may be an accentuated and overpowering use of one of the four mental functions at the expense of the other three. Either thinking, feeling, intuiting, or seeing may assume such a superior role as to render the other three inoperative. The persona may become so dominant as to create a totally one-sided ego, as in some forms of neurotic behavior. All in all, whatever the type of severity of the emotional disorder, it can be taken as a failure of the psyche to maintain a proper balance between the polarities of life.

Essentially, psychoses and neuroses are an alienation of the self from its true goal of self-actualization. In this sense, the culture is of no consequence. Emotional disorder is not a question of being out of tune with one’s culture so much as it is of being out of tune with one’s self. Consequently, neurosis is more than bizarre behavior, especially as it may be interpreted by contemporaries in the culture. This interpretation avoids the sociological question of what is a mental disorder, since forms of behavior acceptable in one culture may be considered neurotic in another. To Jung, the deviation from cultural norms is not the point. The inability to balance out personal polarities is.

Solution:

Heading: Emotional Disorders: Imbalance of the Psyche

Precis:
Psychoses and neuroses occur when a person fails to maintain a balanced psyche, causing the ego to become one-sided. In psychoses, the ego collapses into the unconscious, leading to regressive, unacceptable behaviors. In less severe cases, one mental function—thinking, feeling, intuiting, or seeing—dominates, producing neurotic behavior. Both conditions represent a failure to balance life’s polarities and alienation from self-actualization. Emotional disorders are not merely cultural deviations but stem from being out of tune with oneself. The key issue, according to Jung, is the inability to harmonize personal polarities rather than conforming to cultural norms.

Q2. Here is an excerpt from the autobiography of a short story writer. Read it
carefully and answer the questions that follow.

My father loved all instruments that would instruct and fascinate. His place to keep things was the drawer in the ‘library table’ where lying on top of his folder map was a telescope with brass extensions, to find the moon and the Big Dripper after supper in our front yard, and to keep appointments with eclipses. In the back of the drawer you could find a magnifying glass, a kaleidoscope and a gyroscope kept in a black buckram box, which he would set dancing for us on a string pulled tight. He had also supplied himself with an assortment of puzzles composed of metal rings and intersecting links and keys chained together, impossible for the rest of us, however patiently shown, to take apart. He had an almost childlike love of the ingenious.

In time, a barometer was added to our dining room wall, but we didn’t really need it. My father had the country boy’s accurate knowledge of the weather and its skies. He went out and stood on our front steps first thing in the morning and took a good look at it and a sniff. He was a pretty good weather prophet. He told us children what to do if we were lost in a strange country. “Look for where the sky is brightest along the horizon,” he said. “That reflects the nearest river. Strike out for a river and you will find habitation.”

Eventualities were much on his mind. In his care for us children he cautioned us to take measures against such things as being struck by lightning. He drew us all away from the windows during the severe electrical storms that are common where we live. My mother stood apart, scoffing at caution as a character failing. So I developed a strong meteorological sensibility. In years ahead, when I wrote stories, atmosphere took its influential role from the start. Commotion in the weather and the inner feelings aroused by such a hovering disturbance emerged connected in dramatic form.

Questions:

a. Why did the writer’s father spend time studying the skies? (3)
b. Why does the writer think that there was no need of a barometer? (3)
c. What did the bright horizon mean for the writer’s father? (3)
d. How did her father influence the writer in her later years? (3)
e. Explain the underlined words and phrases in the passage. (8)

Solution:

a. Why did the writer’s father spend time studying the skies?
The writer’s father loved instruments that could instruct and fascinate, and he had a deep interest in observing the skies. He studied the skies to predict weather, track celestial events like eclipses, and teach his children practical skills for understanding nature and surviving in unfamiliar surroundings.

b. Why does the writer think that there was no need for a barometer?
The writer feels there was no need for a barometer because her father already had an accurate country boy’s knowledge of weather and skies. He could predict weather conditions just by observing the sky and using his experience.

c. What did the bright horizon mean for the writer’s father?
A bright horizon indicated the direction of the nearest river. Her father taught the children that if they were lost, they should follow the bright horizon to locate water and eventually find habitation.

d. How did her father influence the writer in her later years?
The father’s careful observation of nature and the atmosphere influenced the writer’s storytelling. She developed a strong sense of meteorology, and in her stories, the weather often played a significant role, reflecting characters’ emotions and adding dramatic effect.

e. Explain the underlined words/phrases in the passage:

1. Telescope with brass extensions – An optical instrument with metal parts used to see distant objects like the moon and stars.
2. Kaleidoscope – A tube containing mirrors and colored pieces that create changing patterns when viewed.
3. Gyroscope – A device showing orientation and balance when spun.
4. Barometer – An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure to predict weather.
5. Meteorological sensibility – Awareness and understanding of weather patterns and atmospheric changes.
6. Hovering disturbance – Ongoing or impending weather changes that affect the atmosphere.
7. Eventualities – Possible future events, especially unexpected or dangerous ones.
8. Scoffing at caution – Mocking or dismissing careful behavior as unnecessary or foolish.

Q3. Write a comprehensive note (250-300) words ) on any one of the following(20).

a. each man is the architect of his own destiny
b. ignorance is bliss, knowledge worry
c. democracy fosters mediocrity
d. unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talent and our
expectations
e. they know enough who know how to learn.

Solution:

a. Each man is the architect of his own destiny
Every individual shapes their own life through decisions, efforts, and perseverance. Success and failure largely depend on personal responsibility rather than luck. By making wise choices and working hard, a person can build a meaningful and purposeful life.

b. Ignorance is bliss, knowledge worry
Not knowing about problems or dangers may bring temporary peace, while awareness often brings anxiety and responsibility. Knowledge, though sometimes stressful, helps us make informed decisions and grow. True wisdom lies in balancing serenity and awareness.

c. Democracy fosters mediocrity
Democracy values equality, giving everyone a voice, which can sometimes favor mediocrity over excellence. Talented individuals may face limitations when decisions are made collectively. However, democracy also ensures fairness and prevents absolute power.

d. Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talent and our expectations
Unhappiness arises when people’s expectations exceed their abilities or achievements. High talent with low expectations brings satisfaction, while unmet expectations, despite talent, lead to disappointment. Contentment comes from realistic goals and self-awareness.

e. They know enough who know how to learn
The ability to learn is more valuable than possessing all knowledge. A person who can acquire, adapt, and apply knowledge effectively is truly wise. Continuous learning ensures growth and success in life.

Q4 (A). Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital letters:

1. DELETERIOUS – a) nourishing b) injurious c) vital d) fatal
2. VALEDICTORY – a) farewell b) final c) hopeful d) parting
3. SEDENTARY – a) afraid b) loyal c) active d) torpid
4. TURBID – a) muddy b) clear c) invariable d) improbable
5. PHLEGMATIC – a) dull b) active c) lymphatic d) frigid

Solution:

Here is the correct solution for Q4 (A):

1. ANATHEMA – a) curse ✅
2. TORPOR – b) lethargy ✅
3. TOUCHSTONE – a) criterion ✅
4. SEQUESTER – d) isolate ✅
5. DENOUEMENT – c) termination ✅

Q4. (B) Pick the most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized letters

1. DELETERIOUS – a) nourishing b) injurious c) vital d) fatal
2. VALEDICTORY – a) farewell b) final c) hopeful d) parting
3. SEDENTARY – a) afraid b) loyal c) active d) torpid
4. TURBID – a) muddy b) clear c) invariable d) improbable
5. PHLEGMATIC – a) dull b) active c) lymphatic d) frigid

Solution:

1. Here is the correct solution for Q4 (B):
2. DELETERIOUS – a) nourishing ✅
3. VALEDICTORY – c) hopeful ✅
4. SEDENTARY – c) active ✅
5. TURBID – b) clear ✅
6. PHLEGMATIC – b) active ✅

Q5. (A) Change the narration from direct to indirect or indirect to direct speech (do any five)

1. Our sociology professor said, ‘I expect you to be in class every day. Unexcused absences may affect your grades.’
2. My father often told me, ‘Every obstacle is a steppingstone to success. You should view problems in your life as opportunities to prove yourself.’
3. When Tom asked Jack why he couldn’t go to the game, Jack said he didn’t have enough money for a ticket.
4. When I asked the ticket seller if the concert was going to be rescheduled, she told me that she didn’t know and said that she just worked there.
5. Ali said, ‘I must go to Lahore next week to visit my ailing mother.’
6. The policeman told the pedestrian, ‘You mustn’t cross the road against the red light.’
7. Ahmed asked if what I said was really true.
8. Sarah wanted to know where they would be tomorrow around three o’clock.

Solution:

1. Our sociology professor said that he expected us to be in class every day and that unexcused absences might affect our grades.
2. My father often told me that every obstacle was a steppingstone to success and that I should view problems in my life as opportunities to prove myself.
3. Jack told Tom that he couldn’t go to the game because he didn’t have enough money for a ticket.
4. I asked the ticket seller if the concert was going to be rescheduled, and she said that she didn’t know and that she just worked there.
5. Ali said that he had to go to Lahore next week to visit his ailing mother.
6. The policeman told the pedestrian that he mustn’t cross the road against the red light.
7. Ahmed asked if what I had said was really true.
8. Sarah wanted to know where they would be the next day around three o’clock.

Q5 (B) Make corrections in any five of the following where necessary ?

1). What does a patient tell a doctor it is confidential ?
2). It is a fact that I almost drowned makes me very careful about water safety whenever
I go swimming
3). Did they not consider this as quiet convincing
4). St Peter’s at Rome is the largest of all other churches
5). The amount they receive in wages is greater than twenty years ago
6). They succeeded with hardly making any effort
7). Whatever have you done !
8). The officers were given places according to their respective ranks

Solution:

1. What a patient tells a doctor is confidential.
2. The fact that I almost drowned makes me very careful about water safety whenever I go swimming.
3. Did they not consider this quite convincing?
4. St. Peter’s at Rome is the largest of all churches.
5. The amount they receive in wages is greater than it was twenty years ago.
6. They succeeded with hardly any effort.
7. What have you done!
8. The officers were given places according to their respective ranks.

Q6 (A) use any five of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meanings.

1). Keep ones nose to the grindstone
2). Throw someone for a loop
3). Letter perfect
4). Off the wall
5). Out to lunch
6). Salt something away
7). Take someone to the cleaners
8). Wear the pants in the family

Solution:

1. Keep one’s nose to the grindstone – She kept her nose to the grindstone all semester and earned top grades.
2. Throw someone for a loop – The sudden resignation of the CEO really threw the board members for a loop.
3. Letter perfect – His presentation was letter perfect, leaving no room for criticism.
4. Off the wall – The idea of having a meeting in a hot air balloon was completely off the wall.
5. Out to lunch – During the discussion, he seemed out to lunch and didn’t respond to any questions.
6. Salt something away – She salted away part of her earnings every month for her future education.
7. Take someone to the cleaners – The company took the fraudster to the cleaners in the court case.
8. Wear the pants in the family – In their household, her mother wears the pants and makes all the major decisions.
   

Q6 (B) use five of the following pairs of words in your own sentences so as to bring out their meanings.

1). Council, counsel
2). Distinct, distinctive
3). Apposite, opposite
4). Deprecate, depreciate
5). Punctual, punctilious
6). Judicial, judicious
7). Salutary, salubrious
8). Canvas, canvass

Solution:

1. Council, Counsel – The city council decided to build a new park, and the lawyer gave us good counsel on legal matters.
2. Distinct, Distinctive – The twins have distinct personalities, but their mother has a distinctive laugh that everyone recognizes.
3. Apposite, Opposite – His comments were very apposite to the discussion, but her opinion was completely opposite.
4. Deprecate, Depreciate – Teachers should not deprecate a student’s efforts, and one must understand how assets can depreciate over time.
5. Punctual, Punctilious – She is always punctual for meetings, and he is punctilious about following every rule.
6. Judicial, Judicious – The judicial system ensures fairness, while a judicious person makes wise decisions.
7. Salutary, Salubrious – Exercise has a salutary effect on health, and the mountain air is very salubrious.
8. Canvas, Canvass – The artist will canvas the new painting, while the politician went door-to-door to canvass support.