FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR RECRUITMENT
TO POSTS IN BPS-17 UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 1973
ENGLISH (Précis and Composition)
Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum marks: 100
- Make a precis of the following passage in about 250 words.
As a kind of foot-note I should comment that there are those who doubt whether it is within the power of science to ensure over a prolonged period of freedom from destitution and famine for mankind. The argument is the old one of Malthus, that in the race between increasing population and increasing production, population must eventually win. Those of us who decline to accept this pessimistic view recognize the difficulty of the practical problem of meeting the needs of an ever-expanding population. We have, however, greater faith in human resourcefulness. We note that it is not only in the technology of production and medicine that the present generation differs so greatly from the one before. A similar rapid change is likewise occurring in the thinking of masses of people. This change is brought about partly by experience with technology and partly by more widespread education. Here lies a new realm in which dramatic advance is being made.
The hope for the longer future lies in a growing understanding of the conditions for the good life of man in a world of science and technology, and the acceptance of a morality that is consistent with these conditions. With the widespread thought now being given to such problems by persons whose thinking is schooled to rely on reason and tested fact. It is evident that advance from this angle will also appear. Youth may, for example, consider these remarks as an effort to see in truer perspective the type of ideals that are appropriate to the age of science. Many are those who are now sharing to this exploration of human values.
The great question is whether such understanding of human goals and the corresponding development of morals can be achieved before the forces seen by Malthus, and emphasized so forcefully by recent writers, overwhelm the efforts of the pioneers in this new and critical field. I do not believe that this is inevitable. I am confident of man’s ability to meet and solve this ethical problem that is so vital to the success of his effort to achieve physical and spiritual freedom,
It is relevant that as I analyse the reasons for my faith in man’s eventual ability to meet this critical problems. I find that prominent in my mind is the confidence that God Who made us holds for us an increasing density, to be achieved through our own efforts in the world setting that he supplies. This observation is significant in the present setting because it is my strong impression that most of those who have the firm faith in man’s advancement likewise have a religious basis of their faith. If this impression is valid its consequence is clear. It means that it is men and women of religious faith on whom we must primarily rely to work strongly toward achieving a favourable world society. It means also that those of religious faith because of their faith have a better chance of survival, a fact that has a bearing on the attitude that may be expected in the society of the future.
- Render the following poem in simple prose and comment on the difference in the effective use of language between the poem and its prose version by you.
TO DAFFODILS
Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon,
As yet the early rising sun
Has not attained his noon
Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the even-song,
And having prayed together, we
Will go with you along
We have short time to stay, as you,
We have a short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything,
We die,
As your Hours do, and dry
Away
Like to summer’s rain
Or as the pearls of morning dew,
Ne’er to be found again.
(Robert Herrick) -
(a) Each of the following words has more than one meaning. Choose any FIVE of them and by using them in at least two sentences each indicates what these different meanings are:
(i) Report
(ii) Ruler
(iii) Point
(iv) Wear
(v) Glasses
(vi) Vessel
(vii) Stage
(viii) Spirit
(b) Use any FIVE of the following idiomatic expressions in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning.
(i) Turn to Account
(ii) To beat the air
(iii) To break the lance with
(iv) To foul of
(v) To keep open door
(vi) To put out of countenance
(vii) Got up to kill
(viii) To have a finger in the pie
- “It is my invincible belief that science and peace will triumph over ignorance and war, that notion will eventually unite not destroy but build, and that the future will belong to those who will have done most for suffering humanity”.
Expand this in a paragraph of about 120 words giving examples and arguments in support of Pasture’s belief.
OR
Suggest what the people of this country can do themselves to remedy social evils. -
“Asghar is now twenty-two,” she tells her husband, “It’s time you should thought of his marriage lest the boy starts keeping bad company.” Mir Nihal clears his throat and says:
“Yes, I was going to speak to you about him myself. Has he gone to sleep?” No. He went out after dinner and has not come back yet”.
(Ahmad Ali: Twilight in Delhi)
Develop this conversation between Mir Nihal and Begum Nihal about their son Asghar and his marriage in order to give an impression of the customs and manners of Muslims in Indo-Pak Sub-Continent.
OR
Write a critical review of the marriage customs of your region or tribe or family, etc.