PRECIS WRITING: 20 MCQs with Answers

1. What is precis writing?
a. A form of poetry
b. A concise summary of a passage
c. An elaborate essay
d. A type of creative writing

2. What is the primary purpose of precis writing?
a. Adding unnecessary details
b. Expanding the original passage
c. Condensing and summarizing
d. Creating ambiguity

3. What does precis emphasize?
a. Repetition of ideas
b. Lengthy explanations
c. Clarity and conciseness
d. Complex vocabulary

4. Which factor is crucial in precis writing?
a. Inclusion of personal opinions
b. Faithful representation of the original text
c. Ignoring the main ideas
d. Adding unrelated information

5. How does precis contribute to effective communication?
a. By introducing irrelevant details
b. By confusing the reader
c. By condensing information
d. By expanding the text

6. In precis, what should be avoided to maintain clarity?
a. Succinct language
b. Ambiguity
c. Repetition of key ideas
d. Factual accuracy

7. What is the ideal length of a well-crafted precis?
a. Longer than the original passage
b. Significantly shorter than the original
c. Approximately the same as the original
d. Irrelevant to the original length

8. Which element is NOT essential in a precis?
a. Main ideas
b. Supporting details
c. Author’s personal opinions
d. Tone of the original passage

9. What role does precision play in precis writing?
a. Creating confusion
b. Enhancing clarity
c. Increasing word count
d. Elaborating on ideas

10. What is the key to a successful precis?
a. Inclusion of personal anecdotes
b. Lengthy explanations
c. Faithful representation of ideas
d. Jargon and technical terms

11. Which of the following is NOT a step in precis writing?
a. Reading the passage thoroughly
b. Eliminating unnecessary details
c. Expanding upon each idea
d. Organizing key points logically

12. What should a precis writer prioritize when faced with word limit constraints?
a. Including all details
b. Sacrificing clarity for brevity
c. Retaining essential information
d. Ignoring the word limit

13. In precis, what does fidelity to the original text mean?
a. Introducing personal opinions
b. Maintaining accuracy and faithfulness
c. Expanding upon the author’s ideas
d. Using complex language

14. Why is it essential to understand the context of the original passage in precis writing?
a. To create ambiguity
b. To distort the author’s intentions
c. To accurately represent the ideas
d. To add personal interpretations

15. What should a precis writer focus on when identifying the main ideas of a passage?
a. Ignoring key concepts
b. Emphasizing minor details
c. Capturing the core elements
d. Omitting critical information

16. What is the primary function of a precis title?
a. Adding creative flair
b. Summarizing the entire passage
c. Confusing the reader
d. Providing an unrelated context

17. What is the consequence of deviating from the original tone in a precis?
a. Improved clarity
b. Enhanced expressiveness
c. Loss of fidelity to the source
d. Increased reader engagement

18. How does a precis differ from a paraphrase?
a. They have the same purpose
b. A paraphrase is longer and more detailed
c. A precis includes personal opinions
d. Both are interchangeable terms

19. When revising a precis, what should be prioritized?
a. Expanding the summary
b. Adding personal interpretations
c. Ensuring clarity and conciseness
d. Including unrelated information

20. What is the ultimate goal of a well-crafted precis?
a. Confusing the reader
b. Enhancing the word count
c. Communicating the original ideas clearly
d. Omitting essential details

Answers:

1. What is precis writing?
– b. A concise summary of a passage

2. What is the primary purpose of precis writing?
– c. Condensing and summarizing

3. What does precis emphasize?
– c. Clarity and conciseness

4. Which factor is crucial in precis writing?
– b. Faithful representation of the original text

5. How does precis contribute to effective communication?
– c. By condensing information

6. In precis, what should be avoided to maintain clarity?
– b. Ambiguity

7. What is the ideal length of a well-crafted precis?
– b. Significantly shorter than the original

8. Which element is NOT essential in a precis?
– c. Author’s personal opinions

9. What role does precision play in precis writing?
– b. Enhancing clarity

10. What is the key to a successful precis?
– c. Faithful representation of ideas

11. Which of the following is NOT a step in precis writing?
– c. Expanding upon each idea

12. What should a precis writer prioritize when faced with word limit constraints?
– c. Retaining essential information

13. In precis, what does fidelity to the original text mean?
– b. Maintaining accuracy and faithfulness

14. Why is it essential to understand the context of the original passage in precis writing?
– c. To accurately represent the ideas

15. What should a precis writer focus on when identifying the main ideas of a passage?
– c. Capturing the core elements

16. What is the primary function of a precis title?
– b. Summarizing the entire passage

17. What is the consequence of deviating from the original tone in a precis?
– c. Loss of fidelity to the source

18. How does a precis differ from a paraphrase?
– b. A paraphrase is longer and more detailed

19. When revising a precis, what should be prioritized?
– c. Ensuring clarity and conciseness

20. What is the ultimate goal of a well-crafted precis?
– c. Communicating the original ideas clearly