PMS English Precis & Composition Past Paper 2026 PDF
PUNJAB PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2025
For Recruitment to the Posts of Provincial Management Service (PMS)
SUBJECT: English Precis and Composition (COMPULSORY)
Time Allowed: 3 Hours
NOTE: 1. All parts (if any) of each question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places. 2. Write Question No. in the Answer Book in accordance with the Q. No. in the Question Paper. 3. No Page/Space be left blank between the answers. All blank pages must be crossed. 4. Extra attempt of any question or any part of the question will not be considered.
Q.No.1: Use the following idiomatic expressions in your own words: (10 Marks) (i) Barking up the wrong tree
(ii) To Pony up
(iii) To up the ante
(iv) To be in a funk
(v) Play it by ear
(vi) Midas touch
(vii) Inflate a cow
(viii) Off the chain
(ix) The elephant in the room
(x) Clear as mud
Q.No.2: Write the antonym of the following words: (10 Marks)
(i) Astigmatism
(ii) Centrifugal
(iii) Diurnal
(iv) Exhaustible
(v) Gluttonous
(vi) Aberration
(vii) Bogus
(viii) Chivalry
(ix) Distort
(x) Prudence
Q.No.3: Change the narration of the following: (10 Marks) i) “What was simmering beneath the surface of their relationship?” she wondered.
ii) “The fatal flaw in the plan would not have been overlooked if a more collaborative approach had been taken,” the historian observed.
iii) The teacher said to the students, “Now solve it yourself.”
iv) I said, “He is brave, isn’t he?”
v) He said to me, “May you be happy.”
vi) The teacher pointed, “Here in this mausoleum lay buried the king.”
vii) He reminded me, “When the cat is away the mice will play.”
viii) The boy said, “Please teacher, allow me to leave the class. I am not feeling well.”
ix) The king said, “You have made me feel happy with your sweet music although I have never felt so much happy before.”
x) He said, “I always welcome my guests sincerely.”
Q.No.4: Change the Voice of the following: (10 Marks)
i) The traumatic experience has been haunting her for years, and her fragile psyche has been slowly unraveling under the weight of her darkest memories.
ii) When did you read the lesson?
iii) You must not waste your precious time.
iv) She will buy a car if she has three million rupees.
v) Were you asked any question?
vi) Do not pay him anything.
vii) I shall prove her innocence.
viii) I had rung the bell.
ix) May she lead a prosperous life.
x) Let this house not be auctioned.
Q.No.5: Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. (10 Marks)
i) The loyal companion stood _______ the king, offering counsel and support through times of turmoil.
ii) The visionary leader looked _______ the present, shaping a future where all could thrive and prosper.
iii) The nomadic tribe migrated _______ the vast steppes, following the seasons and the stars with timeless wisdom.
iv) The messenger traveled _______ the treacherous mountain pass, braving the elements to deliver the urgent news.
v) Almost all car companies care _______ the environment.
vi) She delights _______ cooking.
vii) He insisted _______ seeing the documents.
viii) She made a point in coming late so that everyone would look _______ her.
ix) How are you getting _______ at school?
x) In spite of the heat he refused to take _______ his coat.
Q.No.6: Make a précis of the following passage and suggest a suitable title. (20 Marks)
Passage: Memory plays a central role in shaping individual identity. It provides continuity, linking past experiences with present perceptions and future aspirations. Through memory, individuals construct a sense of self, drawing upon personal history to understand who they are and how they relate to the world. Memories of childhood, relationships, successes, and failures all contribute to the formation of identity. Without memory, identity would lack coherence, becoming fragmented and unstable, as there would be no consistent narrative to connect different stages of life.
However, memory is not a perfect or objective record of events. Rather than functioning like a precise recording, it is selective, reconstructive, and subject to interpretation. Memories are often influenced by emotions, beliefs, and subsequent experiences, which can alter how past events are recalled. Individuals may remember certain moments vividly while forgetting or distorting others. For instance, emotionally significant experiences are often retained more strongly, while neutral or routine details fade over time. This selective nature of memory raises important questions about the reliability of personal narratives and the extent to which identity is shaped by subjective interpretation rather than objective reality.
Furthermore, memory is dynamic rather than fixed. Each time a memory is recalled, it can be reshaped or reinterpreted in light of new experiences or changing perspectives. This means that identity itself is not static but continuously evolving. As individuals grow and encounter new situations, they may reassess past experiences and assign them new meanings. In this sense, memory does not simply preserve identity; it actively participates in its ongoing construction and transformation. The connection between memory and identity is further complicated by the influence of external factors. Social interactions, cultural norms, and shared narratives all play a role in shaping how individuals remember and interpret their experiences. Conversations with others, for example, can reinforce certain memories while diminishing others. Cultural expectations may influence which experiences are considered important or meaningful. As a result, memory is not solely an individual phenomenon but is also shaped by collective influences that extend beyond the individual mind.
[Précis / Answer Section]
Title: The Interplay of Memory and Identity Construction
Précis: Memory is fundamental to forming a coherent self-identity by linking an individual’s past, present, and future. However, it is not an objective record but a subjective and reconstructive process influenced by emotions and beliefs. This selective nature makes memory dynamic, allowing it to be reshaped as individuals encounter new perspectives and experiences. Furthermore, identity is not just a personal construct; it is significantly molded by social, cultural, and collective narratives. Thus, memory acts as an evolving tool that continuously transforms and redefines the self throughout life.
Q.No.7: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end. (5×3 = 15 Marks)
Setting out to affirm the United States defined itself as a new kind of power. The Declaration of Independence, the United States’ constitution and the founding principles helped shape its identity. Even while constructing these doctrines, the founders also established a new approach to power and diplomacy.
The United States avoided permanent alliances and instead focused on temporary arrangements with European powers. The Farewell Address of President Washington advised caution in foreign relations and warned against long-term entanglements. This policy reflected the desire to maintain independence and avoid European-style balance of power politics.
The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 further strengthened this approach, declaring the Western Hemisphere free from European interference. It marked a shift toward continental security and regional dominance.
Over time, the United States expanded its influence through territorial growth, economic development and strategic policies. The country gradually emerged as a major global power, shaping international affairs through both diplomacy and strength.
This development shows how the United States moved from isolation to active engagement in global dealings.
Questions:
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How did the United States define itself as a new kind of power after independence?
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What was the gist of President Washington’s Farewell Address regarding foreign alliances?
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What strategy helped the United States become a great power?
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What is the significance of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823?
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How did the American perception of peace and foreign policy differ from European style of statecraft?
Q.No.8: Translate the following passage into English. (15 Marks)
