Structured Practice

Precis practice: Merit and opportunity

Precis

Precis 20 marks 35 minutes 120 words

Read the following original passage and write a précis of approximately one-third of its length. Supply a suitable title.

Merit is often treated as a quality residing entirely within an individual, but achievement also reflects access to nutrition, schooling, safety, time, networks, and information. Recognising unequal opportunity does not require abandoning standards. It requires examining whether selection methods measure the abilities actually needed and whether talented people have a fair chance to develop them. A legitimate merit system combines transparent criteria, rigorous assessment, support for disadvantaged candidates, and review for hidden bias. Standards and inclusion are not opposites when institutions are designed carefully.

Practice workspace

Write notes or your response

35:00

Suggested approach

Identify the central claim, remove examples and repetition, preserve logical relationships, write in your own words, and add a concise title.

Self-assessment rubric

Accuracy 40%; compression 20%; coherence 20%; language 15%; title 5%.