🧾 Title: "Balancing Freedom and Discipline in Education" ________________________________________ ✅ Original Passage Word Count: 340 🎯 Target Precis Word Count (⅓): ~113–115 words ✍️ Precis (Word Count: 113)
The debate on freedom in education includes three schools of thought: absolute freedom regardless of consequences, absolute authority regardless of merit, and conditional freedom based on virtue. The third group, advocating liberty for spontaneous development, is criticized for being too individualistic and neglecting the value of knowledge and cooperation. In a complex society, cooperation and discipline are essential. Therefore, education must transmit key knowledge and skills, not just provide an environment for unstructured growth. True educational success stems from trained minds with self-control and wisdom, not unchecked impulses. Education should offer opportunities for growth, but also foster intellectual and moral development beyond what children can achieve alone.
✅ 1. How important is happiness to most people, and what is the relationship between material wealth and happiness?
Answer:
Happiness is extremely important to most people, yet many struggle to find it despite having more goods and wealth. The passage indicates that material wealth does not necessarily lead to happiness. According to the 2012 Happy Planet Index (HPI), North Americans and Europeans, despite their affluence, are not the happiest. This suggests that excessive consumption can actually detract from true well-being and that a simpler, more conscious lifestyle may offer greater fulfillment
✅ 2. How does the author characterize the concept of ‘Voluntary Simplicity’ as a movement and as a philosophy?
Answer:
The author presents Voluntary Simplicity both as a social movement and a life philosophy. As a movement, it encourages reducing consumption, conserving energy, and minimizing environmental impact. As a philosophy, it promotes conscious living, inner peace, and spiritual enrichment by eliminating clutter and non-essential desires. It is a deliberate choice to prioritize needs over wants and to focus on meaningful experiences rather than material possessions.
✅ 3. What impact is feared by the growing consumerism of modern society?
Answer:
The passage warns that unchecked consumerism can lead to environmental degradation, emotional dissatisfaction, and social inequality. It fosters constant desire for more, resulting in stress, debt, and overconsumption of resources. Consumerism is also wrongly equated with happiness, which leads to waste, increased pollution, and a disconnect from sustainable and fulfilling living.
✅ 4. What influences make it difficult for people to reduce their consumption patterns?
Answer:
People find it difficult to reduce consumption due to aggressive advertising, societal pressure, and the belief that more possessions bring happiness. Modern economies are built around the idea that growth equals success. Additionally, convenience, brand influence, and a lack of awareness about environmental consequences also hinder efforts to simplify
✅ 5. What are the challenges and rewards of voluntary simplicity?
Answer:
Challenges include resisting societal norms, advertising pressure, and distinguishing between wants and needs. It requires self-discipline, conscious decision-making, and sometimes going against mainstream lifestyles.
Rewards include greater peace of mind, better health, stronger community ties, reduced stress, environmental sustainability, and more meaningful use of time and resources. It offers a path to lasting contentment and reduced dependence on material goods.
orrected versions of all the sentences from Q.4:
✅ (i)
❌ His knowledge of languages and international relations aid him in his work.
✅ His knowledge of languages and international relations aids him in his work.
(“Knowledge” is singular, so the verb must be “aids.”)
✅ (ii)
❌ The ambassador, with his family and staff, invite you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon.
✅ The ambassador, with his family and staff, invites you to a reception at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon.
(The subject “ambassador” is singular; use “invites.”)
✅ (iii)
❌ This year, he will sit in the CSS examination.
✅ This year, he will sit for the CSS examination.
(The correct collocation is “sit for” an exam.)
✅ (iv)
❌ The Chief Executive will let us know whether or not he can attend the meeting.
✅ The Chief Executive will let us know whether he can attend the meeting.
(“Whether” alone is sufficient; “or not” is redundant.)
✅ (v)
❌ When he came back from vacation, Aslam and me plan to look for another apartment.
✅ When he came back from vacation, Aslam and I planned to look for another apartment.
(Correct pronoun is “I,” and verb tense should be past for agreement.)
✅ (vi)
❌ If some of you make a noise, they shall be punished.
✅ If any of you make a noise, you shall be punished.
(“Some” refers to a group; “any” fits better with singular context and “you” for consistency.)
✅ (vii)
❌ He came to me to enquire what is the salary attached to the appointment.
✅ He came to me to enquire what salary is attached to the appointment.
(Rephrased for proper word order and natural expression.)
✅ (viii)
❌ I am too tired that I do not hunt words and idioms in my English book.
✅ I am too tired to hunt for words and idioms in my English book.
(“Too tired to” is the correct construction.)
✅ Q.5 (b): Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions (any five)
- The neighbours came into my house to see what’s going on in the house.
- She sat under the shade of the tree.
- The moon does not shine with its own light.
- The burglar jumped over the compound wall.
- She entered into an agreement with them.
- I have been working hard at arithmetic.
- He got off his bicycle.
- It cannot be done without offence.
✅ Q.6: Use only FIVE pairs of words in sentences clearly illustrating their meanings
) Antic / Antique
- The clown performed an amusing antic that made the children laugh.
- We bought an antique clock from the vintage shop.
(ii) Draught / Drought
- A cold draught blew through the open window.
- The country suffered a severe drought that ruined the crops.
(iii) Compliment / Complement
- She gave me a nice compliment on my presentation.
- That scarf perfectly complements your dress.
(iv) Eminent / Imminent
- Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was an eminent scientist of Pakistan.
- The weather forecast warned of an imminent thunderstorm.
(v) Immigrant / Emigrant
- An immigrant is a person who comes to live in a foreign country.
- An emigrant is someone who leaves their country to settle elsewhere.
The sage narrated that beyond the dark forest lies a mountain, where a unique flower blooms—one that radiates joy, emits the fragrance of light, and glows brighter than a thousand suns. However, the mountain is steep and the path to it is full of thorns and countless perils. Many set out on this journey, but most get lost or halted by rivers, cliffs, and storms along the way. Only a few manage to reach the summit. But not everyone who reaches it truly finds the flower; one must ascend with utmost sincerity, courage, and endurance. The world is full of shadows and suffering, but the pursuit of light and enlightenment is the true quest of humankind.