Free Summarising and Precis MCQs with Answers
30 Summarising and Precis MCQs from Business Writing and Comprehension, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Summarising and précis writing reduce a passage to its essential ideas while preserving its meaning, sequence and tone. The work involves separating main points from examples, removing repetition and decoration, using concise original wording, maintaining grammatical unity and avoiding personal comments, distortion or unnecessary detail.
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- A. A paraphrase presents only the author's conclusion
- B. A paraphrase retains most details in new wording
- C. A paraphrase removes the original logical sequence
- D. A paraphrase changes the author's intended meaning
Explanation: A paraphrase restates the complete meaning of a passage, often with similar detail and length.
Correct answer: A paraphrase retains most details in new wording- A. Present it as an established fact
- B. Strengthen it with additional reasoning
- C. Attribute it clearly to the writer
- D. Replace it with the writer's own opinion
Explanation: A précis must represent the original writer fairly, so an opinion should remain identifiable as the writer's view.
Correct answer: Attribute it clearly to the writer23. Which method most effectively reduces the length of a passage without losing its central argument?
- A. Replace every verb with a noun
- B. Repeat the conclusion in shorter wording
- C. Delete every sentence containing an example
- D. Combine related points under broader terms
Explanation: Combining related points under broader terms removes unnecessary detail while retaining the argument.
Correct answer: Combine related points under broader terms- A. The writer argues that the policy has limits
- B. I personally agree that the policy has limits
- C. The policy has limits beyond any doubt
- D. We should reject the policy immediately
Explanation: The first option attributes the claim to the original writer without adding personal judgement.
Correct answer: The writer argues that the policy has limits- A. Every original linking word
- B. Only the final linking word
- C. The logical relationship between ideas
- D. The same sentence lengths and punctuation
Explanation: A précis may replace repeated or elaborate connectors, but it must preserve relationships such as contrast, sequence, and result.
Correct answer: The logical relationship between ideas- A. Due to the fact that rainfall was absent, crops failed
- B. It was a situation in which crops failed because rain was absent
- C. The crops, which were present in fields, failed due to rain absence
- D. Because there was no rain, crops failed
Explanation: The second sentence expresses the complete relationship in the fewest clear words.
Correct answer: Because there was no rain, crops failed- A. Report its essential meaning in concise indirect form
- B. Retain its exact wording regardless of the word limit
- C. Remove it because quotations never belong in précis writing
- D. Add another quotation to make the précis authoritative
Explanation: A central quotation may carry an important claim, but its meaning can normally be reported in indirect form.
Correct answer: Report its essential meaning in concise indirect form- A. Remedy, problem, and causes
- B. Problem, causes, and remedy
- C. Causes, remedy, and unrelated background
- D. Background, remedy, and repeated examples
Explanation: Following the original progression makes the argument easier to understand and avoids misleading emphasis.
Correct answer: Problem, causes, and remedy- A. The plan is new and innovative
- B. The plan is new and also innovative
- C. The plan is innovative
- D. The plan is a new plan with innovation
Explanation: Innovative already conveys the idea of being new, so the shorter sentence avoids unnecessary repetition.
Correct answer: The plan is innovative- A. To verify accuracy, emphasis, and proportion
- B. To copy sentences that sound impressive
- C. To increase the précis to the original length
- D. To replace difficult ideas with personal views
Explanation: Comparison with the source helps confirm that the précis is accurate and gives proper emphasis to the main points.
Correct answer: To verify accuracy, emphasis, and proportion