PMS Punjab 2012 Solved Precis

• Unsound (adjective): Not well-founded or unreliable

  • Contextual Explanation: Describes the claim that universal morality does not exist as flawed or weak.

• Unselfish (adjective): Placing others' needs above one's own

  • Contextual Explanation: Describes a universally respected moral quality, though opinions differ on to whom it should apply.

• Selfishness (noun): Concern only for one's odvantage

  • Contextual Explanation: A negative trait never praised across societies, proving the universality of basic moral values.

• Pressing (adjective): Forceful or insistent

  • Contextual Explanation: Describes how the internal sense of moral law compels individuals to justify or rationalize behavior

The passage discusses whether a universal Law of Nature or decent behavior exists for all humans, countering the view that morality differs drastically across civilizations and ages. Furthermore, the passage aims to convince readers that a universal sense of decency exists and that humans, regardless of culture or era, recognize moral duties. It also explains why people excuse their immoral actions.

Main Idea of the Passage

• Humans universally recognize the Law of Nature and the importance of decency though they justify their immoral behavior to avoid confronting their ethical failings.

Supporting Ideas Helping the Main Idea

• Some claim morality varies widely across civilizations and ages, but differences are only slight.
• Imagining truly opposite morality, like admiration for theft or betrayal, is impossible and absurd.
• People may disagree about the scope of moral duty: family, country, or all, but they always condemn selfishness.
• Society inherently believes in decency and the Rule of Law.
• Individuals rationalize bad behavior by attributing it to external causes, such as tiredness, hunger, and worry, while taking credit for good behavior.

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

Some argue that morality differs across civilizations; however, actual differences are minor. Indeed, truly opposite morals, such as admiring betrayal or theft, are unimaginable. While individuals may vary in whom they owe ethical duty: family, country, or all, they never praise selfishness. Moreover, society inherently respects decency and the Rule of Law. Nevertheless, people often rationalize their bad actions as caused by external factors like hunger or fatigue, while attributing their good behavior to themselves, thus showing a deep acknowledgment of universal moral standards.

• Original Words in the Passage: 250
• Precis Word Count: 84
• Title: The Universal Law of Decency

Precis 2

Some contend that morality varies across ages and societies, but actual variation is small. Indeed, truly immoral behavior, like praising theft, is unimaginable. While moral duty may be limited to family or extend to all, selfishness is never admired. Furthermore, society values decency and the Rule of Law, yet people often excuse their wrong actions due to external factors, while simultaneously claiming credit for good ones, thus showing a belief in universal ethics.

• Original Words in the Passage: 250
• Precis Word Count: 73
• Title: Humanity’s Innate Morality

Precis 3

Morality shows minor variation across societies. Indeed, extremes, such as appreciating theft, are impossible. Although moral duty may be limited to family, selfishness is never admired. Thus, humans inherently respect decency and often rationalize misbehavior while claiming credit for good actions, demonstrating a universal acknowledgment of ethical law.

• Original Words in the Passage: 250
• Precis Word Count: 48
• Title: Belief in Decency

Precis 4

Morality varies little across societies. Moreover, extremes like valuing theft are impossible, and unlike moral duty reserved with family only, selfishness is never approved. Furthermore, humans respect decency, excuse wrongdoing, and claim credit for good actions, hence reflecting universal ethical acknowledgment.

• Original Words in the Passage: 250
• Precis Word Count: 41
• Title: Consistent Human Morality