CSS English chapter 8: Précis and composition skills MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
30 exam-style questions on Précis and composition skills, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
Ten Précis and composition skills questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. Which sentence best opens the paragraph that follows? ____ The banks lent too freely, buyers borrowed beyond their means, and when prices fell, hundreds of families lost their homes.
A
The housing crash was caused by careless lending and careless borrowing.
B
Houses in most cities are built of brick, steel and concrete.
C
Many families in the cities live in rented homes and flats.
D
Prices of land and property always rise and fall in cycles.
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Answer: A. The opening sentence should state the idea that the examples (lending, borrowing, loss) support.
2. Which is the best concluding sentence for an essay arguing that libraries deserve more funding?
A
In conclusion, I have written in this essay about the libraries that many cities possess today.
B
Libraries give every citizen equal access to knowledge; a country that starves them starves its own future.
C
Many libraries are located in old buildings that need regular repair and constant care.
D
A new point must now be made about the cost of the buildings and of their staff.
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Answer: B. A conclusion restates the position with force. The distractors announce, change the subject or introduce a new point.
3. Choose the best order for these sentences. (1) As a result, the match was postponed. (2) Heavy rain fell on the city all night. (3) By morning the ground was under water.
A
2, 3, 1
B
1, 2, 3
C
3, 1, 2
D
2, 1, 3
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Answer: A. The cause (rain) comes first, then its effect on the ground, and last the consequence introduced by 'As a result'.
4. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (1) Reading aloud improves a child's vocabulary. (2) It also builds the habit of attention. (3) My cousin lives in Sialkot. (4) Children who are read to tend to start school with a larger stock of words.
A
Sentence 3
B
Sentence 1
C
Sentence 2
D
Sentence 4
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Answer: A. The paragraph is about the benefits of reading aloud. The remark about a cousin is unrelated.
5. The scheme was well planned and generously funded. ____, it failed within a year.
A
Therefore
B
Similarly
C
Moreover
D
Nevertheless
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Answer: D. The second sentence contrasts with what we would expect, so a word of contrast is needed.
6. How should the précis be expressed?
A
in the précis-writer's own words as far as possible
B
by copying the key sentences of the original in full
C
by copying every second sentence of the passage
D
in the form of short notes that contain no verbs
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Answer: A. A précis condenses ideas in the writer's own phrasing and in connected prose, not by lifting sentences or writing notes.
7. What should a candidate do first when given a passage for précis?
A
begin writing from the opening paragraph without delay
B
count the number of words in every paragraph in turn
C
underline every figure and every name that appears
D
read the whole passage to grasp its central idea
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Answer: D. Careful reading to find the main idea comes before any writing or note-making.
8. Many Pakistani crops depend on irrigation. ____, cotton needs repeated watering during its growing season.
A
In conclusion
B
Nevertheless
C
Previously
D
For example
Show answer
Answer: D. The second sentence gives a specific instance of the first, so For example is correct.
9. Which sentence is the best topic sentence for a paragraph that goes on to describe three ways in which parks improve city life?
A
Parks usually have trees, benches and paths for walking.
B
I like walking in the park with my friends every evening.
C
Public parks improve city life in three important ways.
D
Some cities have no parks at all and no space to build any.
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Answer: C. A topic sentence states the main idea that the rest of the paragraph develops. The others are details, a personal remark or a different point.
10. Which is the strongest thesis statement for an essay on the medium of instruction?
A
Language is a very important part of education in every country, and every school must give it attention.
B
Several countries use different languages in their schools, and each has its own history of instruction.
C
There are many opinions about the medium of instruction, and scholars have long disagreed about them.
D
Primary education should be given in the mother tongue, because children grasp concepts faster in a language they already speak.
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Answer: D. The key takes a position and supports it with a reason. The others are vague or only report facts.
Précis and composition skills: questions students ask
How many Précis and composition skills MCQs are there?
30, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 2 topics: Précis writing principles, Essay structure and thesis statements. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the CSS English chapter 8 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
