Question

(b) Write Precis of the following passage -
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Speech is a great blessing, but is can also be a great curse, for while it
helps us to make our intentions and desires known to our fellows, it can
also, if we use it carelessly, make our attitude completely misunderstood.
A slip of tongue, the use of an unusual word, or of an ambiguous word
and so on, may create an enemy where we had hoped to win a friend.
Again, different classes of people use different vocabularies, and the
ordinary speech of an educated man, may strike an uneducated listener
as showing pride. Unwittingly, we may use a word which bears a different
meaning to our listener from what it does to men of our own class.
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Answer 1

Speech with great blessing and curse

• Speech has both great blessing and curse. Different classes of people use different vocabularies. Unwittingly, we may use a word which bears a different meaning to our listener. we hoped to win a friend but use of ambiguous words or wrong attitude create an enemy.

Answer 2

Precis writing is expressing the passage in the minimum words possible.

• Precis writing generally involves, shortening the passage in a way such that it still explains a similar meaning.

• The correct precis is -

• A speech is a precious gift. However, as it can be misunderstood and turn our friends into enemies, thus we must exercise it carefully to convey our intentions.

• It should not be ignored that for an educated and uneducated person, the words do not hold the same meaning. Therefore, the words used should be cautious and tactful.