I have provided a precis-writing practice exercise from the 2025 CSS English Grammar and Precis paper. If you practice this passage, it will be helpful for you to prepare well for the coming CSS examination. You can obtain good marks only when you practice precise writing at least three times a day. Here is test 07 of precise writing.
Precis Writing: Test 07
Homi K. Bhabha, a prominent postcolonial scholar, advances a profoundly philosophical yet grounded concept of nationalism, positing that “nations, like narratives, lose their origins in the myths of time and only fully encounter their horizons in the mind’s eye,” thereby highlighting the complex interplay between the imagined, the mythical, and the material in the construction of national identity. Nations, like narratives, are constructed through historical contingency, shaped by ethnic obsessions and regional affiliations that often obscure their origins. As a result, national identities can become rigid and exclusionary, antagonizing the notion of humanism envisioned by ancient philosophers like Socrates and Plato.
This idea has implications for our understanding of humanism, a cornerstone of intellectual traditions from Goethe and Rousseau’s emphasis on the universal human experience to Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd’s advocacy for reason and compassion as bridges between cultures. Al-Ghazali’s The Alchemy of Happiness strikes a balance between promoting local identity and warning against provincial, insular nationalism, making him a votary of cultural exchange and understanding. He advocates for an even-handed approach, balancing love for one’s land with justice for all citizens. In The Revival of Religious Sciences, Al-Ghazali emphasizes balancing universalism and particularism, recognizing that national identity must be tempered by justice and equality. By promoting inclusive citizenship, he offers an antidote to exclusivist nationalist ideologies.
By exploring the intersections between nationalism and humanism, Bhabha’s work encourages critical reflection on how national identities are constructed and how new forms of global citizenship may be imagined by prioritizing shared humanity over narrow national interests. However, the rise of nationalism has often led to a narrowing of perspectives, prioritizing regional affiliations over universal values, resulting in a stringent and aggressive form of patriotism that stifles dissent and creativity. Like a chameleon, nationalism can adapt and change, often blurring the lines between patriotism and xenophobia.
Altogether, nationalism is not inherently destructive, but its mixed legacy reveals both positive and negative consequences. While nations increasingly recognize the need for pluralism and egalitarianism, the desire to dominate persists, manifesting in violent forms. In this context, a balanced approach to nationalism is required, one that harmonizes national pride with universal human values and human rights. (Words 360)
Solution for the Passage
Homi K. Bhabha views nationalism as a constructed narrative shaped by imagination, history, and material conditions rather than fixed origins. Such constructions often become rigid and exclusionary, conflicting with humanist ideals rooted in universal values. Thinkers like Al-Ghazali advocate balancing love for one’s land with justice, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, offering a corrective to narrow nationalism. Bhabha emphasizes re-imagining national identity through shared humanity and global citizenship. Although nationalism can unify societies, it has frequently fostered intolerance, aggression, and suppression of dissent. Therefore, a nuanced form of nationalism is essential, one that preserves national pride while upholding pluralism, equality, and human rights. (Words 102)
Main Point of the Passage
- Nationalism is a historically constructed and imagined narrative.
- Rigid nationalism undermines humanism and universal values.
- Al-Ghazali offers a balanced model of inclusive nationalism.
- Nationalism can be both unifying and divisive.
- A nuanced nationalism aligned with human rights is essential.
Suggested Titles
- Nationalism as a Constructed Narrative
- Balancing National Identity and Humanism
- The Dual Nature of Nationalism
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