CSS 2016 Solved Precis

• County (Noun): A territorial division within a state, typically functioning as a local government area
  • Contextual Explanation: Identifies Cherokee as a specific administrative region within Oklahoma
• Souvenir (Noun): An object kept as a reminder of a place or event
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to items sold in the shops that tourists buy to remember their trip
• Pageant (Noun): A public entertainment or dramatic presentation, often historical in theme
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to the outdoor performance "Unto These Hills," which reenacts Cherokee history.
• Off-peak (Adjective): Referring to a time when demand or activity is lower than usual
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes the tourism season when fewer visitors are present and income sources must be diversified
• Cosmology (Noun): The study or understanding of the universe and its origins
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to the Cherokee beliefs about the universe, represented in their carvings and artwork
• War bonnets (Noun): Traditional feathered headgear worn by Native American leaders and warriors
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to decorative ceremonial items sold as souvenirs in Cherokee shops.
• Tepees (Noun): Cone-shaped tents, made of animal skins or cloth, traditionally used by Indigenous tribes
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to traditional dwellings displayed near the souvenir shops for cultural representation

This passage is a description of a traveller's vacation to Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Mainly, it highlights the traveller's desire for a unique destination, the historical and cultural aspects of the town of Qualla Boundary, the experience of interacting with a local named George, and the economic survival methods of the Cherokee people, including tourism and gambling.

Simply put, the author recounts a memorable and unique vacation and aims to inform the reader about the cultural and economic life of the Cherokee people in Qualla Boundary through the lens of a personal journey.

Main Idea of the Passage

• The narrator’s visit to Cherokee reveals its cultural heritage, local interactions, and economic efforts to sustain the community.

Supporting Ideas Helping the Main Idea

• The author chose an unconventional destination to avoid typical tourist crowds.
• Qualla Boundary offered scenery, a cultural village, and a pageant on Cherokee history.
• The author's conversation with a local man named George provided insight into the tribe's livelihood.
• The Cherokee people depended on diverse income sources, including tourism and Bingo Weekends, to supplement their economy during off-peak seasons.
• A visit to a museum showcased the tribe's traditional arts and crafts.
• The author cherished the experience and looked forward to more travels.

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

The author and his friend chose a vacation to the exotic location of Cherokee, Oklahoma, desiring to avoid common tourist spots. Their travels led them to the town of Qualla Boundary, which maintained its tribal heritage with attractions replicating 18th-century life. They also encountered a local who provided insight into the tribe's economic practices. He told them that the Cherokee people did not depend solely on tourism for their survival; instead, during periods of low tourism, the tribe used other methods to earn an income, such as organized Bingo events, which provided substantial profits. The author’s trip also included a visit to a museum showcasing the traditional arts of the tribe. Indeed, he had a really memorable experience.

• Original Words in the Passage: 436
• Precis Word Count: 118
• Title: Qualla Boundary: Preserving Heritage and Adapting Economies

Precis 2

Seeking an unusual vacation, the narrator chose Cherokee, Oklahoma. Qualla Boundary, with its mountain scenery, cultural village, and historical pageant, offered a glimpse into Cherokee heritage, and souvenir shops and tepees reflected traditional lifestyle, where the narrator met George, a local who explained the tribe’s challenges. He recounted his past as a woodcutter and described how the community turns to alternative income in off-seasons, notably through Bingo Weekends that attract large crowds and generate revenue. The narrator also visited a museum displaying baskets, carvings, and symbolic art of Cherokee cosmology. All in all, the journey left lasting impressions, inspiring hopes for future travels.

• Original Words in the Passage: 436
• Precis Word Count: 103
• Title: A Trip to Cherokee

Precis 3

On vacation, the narrator travelled to Cherokee’s Qualla Boundary, known for its cultural village, historical pageant, and scenic landscape. Moreover, local shops displayed traditional crafts and tepees, where he met George, a resident who shared the community’s struggles and economic strategies. According to him, beyond trade, the Cherokees organized Bingo Weekends during the off-season to sustain income. Furthermore, the museum also revealed their artistry through baskets, carvings, and symbolic representations. Undoubtedly, the experience left the narrator deeply impressed and eager for more journeys to distinctive places.

• Original Words in the Passage: 436
• Precis Word Count: 86
• Title: Exploring Cherokee Heritage

Precis 4

The author's unique vacation to Qualla Boundary in Cherokee offered an intimate look into the tribe's culture and economic life: the town showcased its past through cultural sites and crafts. And a local provided insight into their financial resilience, explaining that tourism was supplemented by other sources of income, such as gambling events, particularly during the off-season. Indeed, the trip, which also included a visit to a museum, was a nostalgic experience for the author.

• Original Words in the Passage: 436
• Precis Word Count: 75
• Title: The Economy and Culture of Qualla Boundary