Phrases, Letters and Précis
Overview
This topic tests three practical composition skills that appear regularly in MAHA TET Paper I and Paper II: phrasal verbs, letter-writing and précis-writing. These areas bridge grammar knowledge and real-world communication, which is why teacher eligibility exams emphasise them—teachers must model correct, effective written English for students.
Phrasal verbs form a core part of English vocabulary and are frequently tested through fill-in-the-blanks or sentence-completion items. Letter-writing assesses your ability to organise ideas in formal and informal registers. Précis-writing (though less common in objective exams) tests comprehension, summarisation and concise expression. Together, these skills reflect the LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) competencies expected of elementary-level teachers.
Mastering this topic requires memorising common phrasal verbs, understanding letter formats and practising condensing passages to one-third their length without losing the central idea.
Key Concepts
- Phrasal verb = main verb + adverb/preposition (or both), creating a new meaning distinct from the original verb. Example: "give up" (surrender) differs from "give" (hand over).
- Separable vs inseparable phrasal verbs: Separable ones allow an object between verb and particle ("turn the light off" or "turn off the light"); inseparable ones do not ("look after the child", not "look the child after").
- Formal letters follow a fixed structure: sender's address → date → receiver's address → salutation → subject line → body → complimentary close → signature. Tone is impersonal and polite.
- Informal letters to friends or relatives use a simpler format (address, date, salutation, body, closing) and a conversational, warm tone.
- Précis is a compressed version of a passage—usually one-third of the original length—written in your own words, in third person, past tense, and indirect speech.
- Title of précis should capture the central theme in a few words; it is placed above the summary.
- A good précis retains all essential ideas but omits examples, repetitions, direct speech and rhetorical flourishes.
- Register and purpose determine word choice: formal letters avoid contractions ("do not" not "don't"); informal letters permit them.
Formulas / Key Facts
| Area | Must-Remember Points |
|---|---|
| Phrasal verbs | "Break down" (stop functioning / lose emotional control), "carry out" (execute), "look forward to" (anticipate), "put off" (postpone), "turn down" (reject), "bring up" (raise/mention). |
| Separability test | If object is a pronoun, it must go between verb and particle for separable phrasal verbs: "Turn it off" (correct), not "Turn off it". |
| Formal letter salutation | "Dear Sir/Madam" → close with "Yours faithfully"; "Dear Mr/Ms [Name]" → close with "Yours sincerely". |
| Informal letter salutation | "Dear [First Name]" or "My dear [Name]" → close with "Yours lovingly / With love / Best wishes". |
| Précis length | Approximately one-third of the original word count. |
| Précis person and tense | Always third person, past tense, indirect speech. |
| Précis title | Short, thematic; placed before the summary. |
Worked Examples
Example 1 — Phrasal Verb (Fill in the blank)
Question: The meeting was __________ due to the chairman's illness. (call off / call on / call for)
Solution:
- "Call off" means to cancel.
- "Call on" means to visit or request.
- "Call for" means to demand.
The sentence refers to cancellation, so the correct answer is called off.
Example 2 — Formal Letter
Task: Write a letter to the Headmaster requesting three days' leave for a family function.
Format:
[Your Address]
[City, PIN]
[Date]
The Headmaster
[School Name]
[School Address]
Subject: Application for Three Days' Leave
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am writing to request leave for three days, from [start date] to [end date], as I need to attend a family function in my hometown. My father's 60th birthday celebration requires the presence of all family members.
I have completed my pending assignments and informed my colleagues. Kindly grant me leave for the mentioned period.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Class/Designation]Key points: Address on top-left, date below address, subject line, formal salutation, polite request in body, "Yours faithfully" because salutation is "Respected Sir/Madam" (no name).
Example 3 — Précis Writing
Original Passage (120 words): "Books are the best companions one can have. They never desert us in times of trouble. They give us knowledge and entertainment. Unlike human friends, they do not demand anything in return. A good book can change your perspective and open new horizons. Reading regularly improves vocabulary, sharpens thinking and reduces stress. In this age of smartphones, people spend hours scrolling through social media but ignore books. This is unfortunate because no app can replace the depth of a well-written book. Schools must encourage a reading habit from an early age so that children grow up valuing literature."
Précis (40 words):
Title: The Value of Books
Books are loyal companions that offer knowledge and joy without expecting anything. Regular reading enhances vocabulary and thinking. Despite the digital age, schools should cultivate reading habits in children because books provide depth that technology cannot match.
Steps followed:
- Identified central idea: importance of books and reading.
- Removed examples ("unlike human friends", "scrolling through social media").
- Converted to third person, past tense where needed.
- Reduced to approximately one-third (40 words from 120).
Common Mistakes
| Wrong Thinking | Correct Fix |
|---|---|
| Treating all phrasal verbs as separable and placing pronouns after the particle ("give up it"). | Remember: if separable, pronouns must go between verb and particle ("give it up"). |
| Using "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Mr Sharma". | "Yours faithfully" follows impersonal salutations; use "Yours sincerely" when you address someone by name. |
| Copying sentences directly from the passage into the précis. | Always paraphrase; use your own words while keeping the original meaning. |
| Writing the précis in first person because the passage uses "I" or "we". | Précis must be in third person regardless of the original. |
| Making the précis half or equal in length to the original. | Aim for one-third of the original word count—no more, no less. |
Quick Reference
- Phrasal verb = verb + adverb/preposition; meaning often idiomatic—learn as vocabulary chunks.
- Separable phrasal verbs: pronoun objects go between verb and particle.
- Formal letter: sender's address → date → receiver's address → salutation → subject → body → close → signature.
- "Yours faithfully" (no name known) vs "Yours sincerely" (name known).
- Précis: one-third length, third person, past tense, indirect speech, own words, include a short title.
- Common phrasal verbs for exams: break down, carry out, give up, look after, put off, turn down, bring up, call off.