CSS 2002 Solved Precis

• Reconcile (verb): To restore friendly relations between; to make one thing compatible or consistent with another
  • Contextual Explanation: The author suggests it is possible to reconcile Homo sapiens and Homo Faber in a third definition, meaning to make the two ideas consistent or compatible.
• Loquacious (adjective): Tending to talk a great deal; talkative
  • Contextual Explanation: The author proposes that man is primarily Homo loquax, the 'loquacious one,' referring to his characteristic of being very talkative.
• Apehood (noun): The state or condition of being an ape
  • Contextual Explanation: Man is condemned between contented apehood, the simple state of being an ape, and aspiring humanity.
• Codification (noun): The process of arranging laws or rules into a systematic code
  • Contextual Explanation: Language enabled the codification of laws, organizing them into a coherent system.
• Civilization (noun): The stage of human social and cultural development and organization that is considered most advanced
  • Contextual Explanation: Language gave birth to civilization, referring to advanced human society and culture.

The passage discusses the essential role of language in defining humans as both knowers: Homo sapiens, and makers: Homo Faber. It argues that without language, humans would remain frustrated, instinct-driven creatures incapable of civilization. Language enables knowledge accumulation, moral and religious expression, law-making, and the creation of civilization. Moreover, the passage emphasizes the centrality of language in human evolution and civilization, arguing that intelligence alone is insufficient; speech and communication are essential.

Main Idea of the Passage

• Humans achieve their full potential as thinkers and makers only through language, which enables knowledge, ethical ideals, religion, law, and civilization.

Supporting Ideas Helping the Main Idea

• Humans are classified as Homo sapiens (knowers) and Homo Faber (makers), but intelligence alone cannot create civilization.
• Humans combine knowledge, action, and speech; being talkers is essential for development.
• Language enables the accumulation and communication of knowledge.
• Language allows humans to express religious insight, formulate ethical ideals, and codify laws.
• Language transforms humans into fully realized humans and makes civilization possible.

Confused About Main and Supporting Ideas?

Kindly make sure to revise all five lectures on Precis Writing that I have already delivered. In these sessions, we discussed in detail:

• What a precis is and its purpose.
• What the main idea means and how to extract it effectively.
• What supporting ideas are and how to identify them.
• How to coordinate the main and supporting ideas while writing a concise, coherent precis.

Additionally, go through the 20 examples I shared in the WhatsApp groups. These examples highlight the Dos and Don’ts of Precis Writing, and revising them will help you avoid common mistakes and refine your technique.

Precis 1

Humans are officially Homo sapiens, the knowers, yet they also act as Homo Faber, the makers. Therefore, humans combine knowledge and action, but they require speech to actualize potential. Moreover, language enables them to accumulate knowledge, express religious insights, formulate ethical ideals, and codify laws. Thus, by speaking, humans transform their intelligence into true humanity and enable the creation of civilization.

• Original Words in the Passage: 190
• Precis Word Count: 61
• Title: The Role of Language in Human Civilization

Precis 2

Humans, called Homo sapiens and Homo Faber, unite knowledge and action. However, they must first speak to realize their abilities. Furthermore, language allows them to gather knowledge, articulate religious and ethical principles, and codify laws. Thus, through speech, humans become fully human and develop civilization.

• Original Words in the Passage: 190
• Precis Word Count: 45
• Title: Humans: Knowers, Doers, and Speakers

Precis 3

Humans, as Homo sapiens and Homo Faber, unite knowing and doing, yet require speech. Through language, they gather knowledge, express ethical and religious ideas, codify laws, and thus transform into a fully realized civilization.

• Original Words in the Passage: 190
• Precis Word Count: 34
• Title: Speech as the Key to Civilization

Precis 4

Humans, combining knowing and doing as Homo sapiens and Homo Faber, require speech to accumulate knowledge and establish civilization.

• Original Words in the Passage: 190
• Precis Word Count: 19
• Title: Language Makes Humans Human