Imagine reading a passage of 450 words and being asked to summarise it in just 150 words.
You understand the passage. You can identify its main subject. You even know which arguments are important.
But when you begin writing, your answer reaches 190 or 200 words.
You remove a few sentences, only to discover that the précis has lost an important argument.
This is one of the most common difficulties faced by aspirants preparing for descriptive English examinations such as PFRDA Grade A.
The challenge is not simply reducing the number of words. It is reducing the length without reducing the meaning.
A good précis preserves the author’s central idea, essential arguments and logical sequence while removing repetition, illustrations and unnecessary language.
In this article, we will learn a practical method for reducing a longer passage to approximately 150 words, work through a solved example and understand how to improve both accuracy and conciseness.
1. What Does Reducing a Passage to 150 Words Actually Mean?
Précis writing is the process of expressing the essential meaning of a passage in a shorter, coherent form.
Suppose a passage contains 450 words and the practice instruction requires a précis of 150 words.
Your task is to reduce its length by approximately two-thirds while preserving its essential message.
This does not mean deleting two out of every three sentences.
It means understanding the entire passage and reconstructing its main arguments in concise language.
Consider this sentence:
“The government has introduced a number of different initiatives and programmes with the primary objective of ensuring that people living in rural and economically disadvantaged regions are able to obtain access to formal banking services.”
A concise version would be:
“The government has introduced initiatives to expand formal banking access among rural and economically disadvantaged communities.”
Both sentences convey essentially the same idea.
The second uses fewer words without sacrificing the central meaning.
That is the skill we need to develop.
Important: This article uses 150 words as a practical training target. The prescribed length in any PFRDA Grade A examination question takes precedence.
2. Why Do Aspirants Struggle to Reduce a Passage?
Many candidates assume that précis writing is simply a vocabulary exercise.
They try to replace long expressions with shorter words or remove a few sentences.
However, the real difficulties usually arise earlier.
Difficulty 1: Treating Every Sentence as Equally Important
A passage may contain definitions, explanations, examples, statistics, illustrations and conclusions.
Not all of these need to appear in the final précis.
Difficulty 2: Rewriting the Passage Sentence by Sentence
Candidates sometimes shorten each original sentence without considering whether the sentence itself is necessary.
This often produces a précis that is still too long.
Difficulty 3: Removing Essential Arguments
In an attempt to satisfy the word limit, aspirants may delete information that is necessary to explain the author’s reasoning.
Difficulty 4: Repeating the Same Idea
An argument may appear in different forms across several paragraphs.
Repeating each version wastes words.
Difficulty 5: Using Unnecessarily Complicated Language
Aspirants sometimes believe that sophisticated vocabulary improves their précis.
In reality, clear and accurate expression is more important than decorative language.
The solution is to focus on idea selection before sentence compression.
3. The Six-Step Method for Writing a 150-Word Precis
Step 1: Read the Passage Completely
During the first reading, concentrate on understanding the author’s message.
Ask yourself:
- What is the passage mainly about?
- What problem, development or argument is being discussed?
- What conclusion does the author reach?
Do not start counting words immediately.
First understand what must be communicated.
Step 2: Identify the Central Idea
The central idea is the author’s overall message.
For example, consider a passage discussing digital financial inclusion.
Its central idea might be:
“Digital financial services can expand financial access, but their success depends on financial literacy, reliable infrastructure and customer protection.”
This single sentence helps you understand the direction of the passage.
Every supporting point in your précis should contribute to explaining this message.
Step 3: Divide the Passage into Essential Arguments
Read the passage again and identify the main contribution of each paragraph.
A passage on pension reforms may contain the following arguments:
- Increasing life expectancy creates retirement-income challenges.
- Informal workers often lack adequate pension coverage.
- Pension schemes can encourage long-term financial security.
- Financial literacy and affordability influence participation.
- Sustainable pension systems require coordinated policy measures.
These arguments form the skeleton of your précis.
You do not need to preserve every sentence used to explain them.
Step 4: Remove Examples, Repetition and Minor Details
Consider the following passage:
“People increasingly use smartphones to transfer money, pay electricity bills, recharge mobile connections, purchase railway tickets and make payments at local shops.”
A compressed version would be:
“Smartphones enable convenient digital payments for everyday transactions.”
The examples are useful in the original passage, but the main idea can be preserved without listing them individually.
However, do not remove a specific example if it is essential to the author’s argument.
Step 5: Combine Related Ideas
This is one of the most effective techniques for reducing word count.
Original:
“Financial literacy helps individuals understand savings products. It also helps them make responsible borrowing decisions. Financial literacy can improve awareness of insurance products and financial fraud.”
Compressed:
“Financial literacy supports informed saving, responsible borrowing, insurance awareness and fraud prevention.”
Instead of writing three separate sentences, we have combined related arguments into one.
Step 6: Write, Count and Revise
After preparing your outline, write the précis independently.
Then check:
- Have I preserved the central idea?
- Are all essential arguments included?
- Have I maintained the author’s logical sequence?
- Have I avoided personal opinions?
- Are the sentences grammatically correct?
- Have I followed the prescribed word limit?
If your first draft contains 175 words, do not randomly delete 25 words.
Identify where information is repeated or unnecessarily expanded.
If your draft contains only 100 words, check whether important arguments have been omitted.
The objective is accurate compression, not mechanical deletion.
4. Solved Example: Reducing a Passage to 150 Words
Let us work through a complete example based on a topic relevant to financial-sector examinations.
Original Passage: Financial Inclusion and Meaningful Access
Financial inclusion has emerged as an important component of economic development because access to appropriate financial services enables individuals to manage their money, save for future needs and protect themselves against unexpected financial difficulties. In countries with large rural populations and significant income disparities, expanding formal financial services can help reduce economic vulnerability and improve opportunities for participation in productive activities.
India has introduced several initiatives to bring underserved communities into the formal financial system. The expansion of basic banking services, digital payment facilities and direct benefit transfers has helped many individuals access financial services that were previously difficult to obtain. These developments have been particularly important for rural households, women and economically disadvantaged communities that historically faced barriers to formal banking.
However, access to financial services does not automatically result in meaningful financial inclusion. Individuals may possess bank accounts but use them infrequently because of irregular incomes, limited financial knowledge or difficulties accessing banking facilities. Some people may also hesitate to use digital services because they lack confidence in technology or fear becoming victims of financial fraud. Consequently, measuring progress only through the number of accounts opened may provide an incomplete picture of financial participation.
Financial literacy plays an important role in addressing these difficulties. People who understand savings, borrowing, insurance and retirement planning are better equipped to make decisions that support their long-term financial well-being. Financial education can also help individuals recognise fraudulent practices and understand the responsibilities associated with different financial products.
Financial institutions must ensure that services are affordable, accessible and appropriate for the communities they serve. Products designed without considering the income patterns and financial requirements of customers may remain underutilised. Similarly, complicated procedures and inadequate customer assistance can discourage participation even when formal banking infrastructure is available.
Technology can contribute to financial inclusion by reducing transaction costs and extending services to geographically distant communities. Nevertheless, digital expansion must be supported by reliable connectivity, accessible platforms and safeguards against misuse. Without such measures, technological progress may leave behind individuals who lack the skills or resources needed to participate effectively.
Ultimately, financial inclusion should be understood as a process of enabling individuals to use financial services safely, regularly and productively. Its success depends not merely on expanding access but on building financial capability, strengthening consumer protection and ensuring that formal financial services respond to the genuine needs of different sections of society.
5. Step-by-Step Analysis of the Passage
Before writing the précis, we must understand its structure.
Step A: Identify the Central Idea
The passage argues that meaningful financial inclusion requires more than access to bank accounts.
It also depends on financial literacy, affordability, suitable services, digital accessibility and consumer protection.
Step B: Identify the Essential Arguments
| Paragraph | Essential Argument |
|---|---|
| 1 | Financial inclusion supports economic security and participation |
| 2 | Banking and digital initiatives have expanded access |
| 3 | Account ownership alone does not guarantee meaningful use |
| 4 | Financial literacy improves decisions and awareness |
| 5 | Services must be affordable and appropriate |
| 6 | Digital expansion requires connectivity and safeguards |
| 7 | Effective inclusion depends on safe and productive financial participation |
These seven arguments are the foundation of our summary.
Step C: Identify What Can Be Removed
The original passage includes several supporting details that need not appear separately.
For example:
- Individual examples of savings, borrowing and insurance can be grouped as financial decision-making.
- References to different disadvantaged groups can be compressed into underserved communities.
- Repeated explanations about account ownership and actual use can be combined.
- Detailed descriptions of technology-related difficulties can be shortened.
We must preserve the ideas, not every illustration.
Step D: Prepare a Concise Outline
Our précis will follow this sequence:
Importance of financial inclusion → Expansion of access → Barriers to meaningful use → Financial literacy → Appropriate services → Digital safeguards → Conclusion.
This outline ensures that the final answer remains coherent.
6. Model Precis – Exactly 150 Words
Title: Beyond Access: Meaningful Financial Inclusion
Financial inclusion promotes economic security by enabling people to access and use suitable financial services. In India, banking initiatives, digital payments and direct benefit transfers have expanded formal financial access, particularly among underserved communities. However, opening accounts alone does not ensure meaningful participation. Irregular incomes, limited financial knowledge, inadequate infrastructure and fears of fraud may discourage regular use. Financial literacy helps individuals make informed decisions about savings, credit, insurance and retirement planning while recognising financial risks. Financial institutions must offer affordable, accessible products suited to customers’ needs and provide adequate assistance. Technology can extend services to remote communities, but its benefits depend on reliable connectivity, inclusive platforms and consumer safeguards. Therefore, financial inclusion should be assessed through the safe, regular and productive use of financial services rather than account ownership alone. Sustainable progress requires financial capability, appropriate products, accessible technology and stronger protection for vulnerable users.
Word Count: 150 words, excluding the title.
Why This Precis Works
The model preserves the complete argument of the original passage.
It begins with the importance of financial inclusion, acknowledges progress, explains the remaining barriers and concludes with the conditions necessary for meaningful participation.
It does not reproduce the original passage sentence by sentence.
It also avoids adding unrelated opinions or new arguments.
Most importantly, the author’s essential meaning remains intact despite the substantial reduction in length.
7. How to Reduce a Draft from 190 Words to 150 Words
Suppose your first précis draft contains 190 words.
You need to remove approximately 40 words.
Do not begin by deleting important sentences.
Instead, examine the following opportunities.
Technique 1: Replace Long Expressions
| Long Expression | Concise Alternative |
|---|---|
| Due to the fact that | Because |
| A large number of individuals | Many people |
| In order to improve | To improve |
| At the present point in time | Currently |
| Has the ability to | Can |
| For the purpose of providing | To provide |
| It is important to note that | Omit if unnecessary |
| In spite of the fact that | Although |
These changes reduce length without substantially affecting meaning.
Technique 2: Combine Repeated Ideas
Original:
“Financial institutions must provide affordable services. They should also ensure that financial services are easily accessible to rural customers.”
Improved:
“Financial institutions must provide affordable and accessible services to rural customers.”
Technique 3: Remove Unnecessary Introductions
Original:
“It can be clearly observed from the discussion that financial literacy plays a very important role in improving financial inclusion.”
Improved:
“Financial literacy strengthens financial inclusion.”
Technique 4: Replace Lists with General Categories
Original:
“Customers use digital banking to transfer funds, pay bills, purchase goods, recharge mobile phones and make other payments.”
Improved:
“Customers use digital banking for everyday financial transactions.”
Technique 5: Avoid Repeating the Conclusion
If your final paragraph already communicates the author’s conclusion, do not restate it in different words.
One clear concluding sentence is usually more effective than several repetitive statements.
8. What Should You Never Remove from a Precis?
Reducing the length does not mean removing everything that appears complicated.
Certain elements may be essential.
The Main Problem
If the passage explains a demographic, economic or social challenge, the précis should identify it.
Major Causes
If the author explains why a problem exists, the essential causes should be retained.
Important Consequences
If the passage connects a development with major economic or social effects, those relationships may be necessary to preserve the argument.
The Author’s Qualification
Words such as “however”, “although” and “nevertheless” often introduce important limitations.
For example:
“Technology can improve productivity, but it cannot completely replace human workers.”
A précis that mentions only productivity improvements changes the author’s meaning.
The Main Conclusion
The author’s final position is often essential to the summary.
A précis should preserve that position without adding personal opinions.
9. Five Common Mistakes in 150-Word Precis Writing
Mistake 1: Writing Too Much Background
Aspirants sometimes spend 50–60 words introducing a topic before reaching the author’s main argument.
Correction: Begin directly with the central idea.
Mistake 2: Including Every Example
Examples help explain the original passage, but listing them may consume unnecessary words.
Correction: Generalise examples wherever the meaning remains accurate.
Mistake 3: Removing Essential Supporting Arguments
A short answer is not automatically a good précis.
Correction: Check the final answer against your outline of essential ideas.
Mistake 4: Using Inaccurate Paraphrasing
Candidates may replace words without understanding their meaning.
For example, “financial inclusion” and “financial independence” are not interchangeable.
Correction: Use simple words that preserve the author’s intended meaning.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Grammar During Compression
In an attempt to reduce length, aspirants sometimes remove articles, verbs or necessary connectors.
Incorrect:
“Government introduced schemes improve financial inclusion.”
Correct:
“The government introduced schemes to improve financial inclusion.”
Never sacrifice grammatical accuracy merely to save a few words.
10. A Practical Time-Management Method
During practice, you can divide your précis-writing time into four stages.
| Stage | Suggested Share of Time |
|---|---|
| Reading and understanding | 25% |
| Selecting and organising ideas | 20% |
| Writing the précis | 40% |
| Checking and revision | 15% |
For example, during a 20-minute practice exercise, this translates into approximately five minutes for reading, four minutes for planning, eight minutes for writing and three minutes for revision.
These are training suggestions, not official PFRDA section-wise timings.
As your reading and compression skills improve, you can adjust the allocation.
11. Practice Exercise: Write Your Own 150-Word Precis
Read the following passage carefully.
Passage: Retirement Planning in a Changing Economy
Retirement planning has become increasingly important as life expectancy rises and traditional sources of financial security change. Individuals may spend several decades after leaving active employment, making it necessary to accumulate sufficient resources during their working years. Without adequate preparation, retirement can create financial uncertainty and increase dependence on family members or public assistance.
Many workers, particularly those employed in informal occupations, do not have access to regular employer-sponsored retirement benefits. Their incomes may fluctuate, making consistent savings difficult. Even among individuals with stable earnings, immediate financial obligations often receive greater attention than long-term retirement needs.
Financial awareness is therefore an essential component of retirement preparedness. Individuals who understand the importance of early savings, long-term compounding and appropriate pension products are better positioned to make informed decisions. However, financial knowledge alone may not be sufficient when incomes are low or financial products are difficult to access.
Pension systems must consequently address both awareness and affordability. Flexible contribution arrangements, accessible enrolment processes and trustworthy institutions can encourage wider participation. Digital technology may simplify access, but adequate customer assistance remains important for individuals who are unfamiliar with online platforms.
A sustainable approach to retirement security requires cooperation among individuals, employers, financial institutions and policymakers. Retirement preparedness should be viewed not merely as a personal savings decision but as an important component of broader economic and social security.
Your Assignment
Write a précis of 150 words and give it a suitable title.
Before writing, complete these three steps:
- Identify the central idea in one sentence.
- Write five essential arguments from the passage.
- Prepare your précis without referring to the original passage sentence by sentence.
After completing your answer, check whether you have included the problem, its causes, the importance of awareness, the need for accessible pension arrangements and the author’s conclusion.
Do not simply copy expressions from the original passage.
12. How to Know Whether Your Precis Is Actually Improving
One of the difficulties with self-study is that aspirants often judge a précis by its word count.
They believe that an answer is good because it contains exactly 150 words.
But word count alone cannot establish quality.
A précis may satisfy the limit and still contain serious weaknesses.
For example, it may:
- Miss the author’s central argument.
- Omit an important cause or consequence.
- Change the meaning through inaccurate paraphrasing.
- Contain grammatical errors.
- Repeat ideas unnecessarily.
- End without preserving the author’s conclusion.
A useful way to measure improvement is to compare successive attempts against the same criteria.
| Skill | Question to Ask |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Did I understand the complete passage? |
| Idea selection | Did I retain the essential arguments? |
| Compression | Did I remove unnecessary details? |
| Accuracy | Did I preserve the author’s meaning? |
| Language | Are my sentences clear and correct? |
| Word limit | Did I follow the prescribed length? |
This is where meaningful feedback becomes valuable.
At Bank Whizz, our approach to descriptive English preparation begins with an independent diagnostic attempt.
Rather than asking aspirants to memorise model answers, we encourage them to write first, identify their weaknesses and work on specific corrections.
For instance, an aspirant who consistently writes 190 words for a 150-word task may need help with compression.
Another aspirant who writes only 90 words may actually be struggling with comprehension or the selection of essential ideas.
Both candidates need different corrective exercises.
If you are preparing for PFRDA Grade A Descriptive English, you can begin by assessing your present writing ability through the Bank Whizz Free PFRDA Grade A Diagnostic Test Series.
The purpose of the diagnostic is simple: understand where you stand before deciding what to practise next.
For aspirants who prefer a more organised preparation process, the PFRDA Grade A Descriptive English Mentorship Programme brings together structured learning and practice across Essay Writing, Precis Writing and Reading Comprehension.
The important thing is to make every writing attempt contribute to measurable improvement.
13. Frequently Asked Questions
Is a précis always one-third of the original passage?
One-third is a commonly taught guideline, but it is not a universal rule. Follow the word limit or compression instruction given in the actual question.
Should I write exactly 150 words?
If the question specifies exactly 150 words, aim to comply with that instruction. If it says “approximately 150 words”, a small variation may be acceptable, subject to the examination instructions.
Can I remove all examples from the passage?
Many examples can be omitted or generalised. However, an example that is essential to the author’s reasoning should not be removed automatically.
Should I include my own suggestions in the conclusion?
No. A précis must reflect the author’s arguments and conclusions, not your personal opinions.
Is using difficult vocabulary necessary for a good précis?
No. Clear, concise and grammatically accurate English is more important than unnecessarily sophisticated vocabulary.
What should I do if my précis is much shorter than required?
Review whether you have omitted important arguments, explanations or qualifications. Do not add irrelevant information merely to increase the word count.
Conclusion
Reducing a passage to 150 words is not an exercise in deleting sentences randomly.
It requires careful reading, identification of the central idea, selection of essential arguments and accurate compression.
Remember this sequence:
Read → Understand → Identify → Organise → Compress → Review
With regular practice, you will become better at distinguishing essential information from unnecessary details.
For PFRDA Grade A Descriptive English, the objective should be to write a précis that is not only concise but also complete, coherent and faithful to the original passage.
A successful précis does not say everything in fewer words. It says everything essential in fewer words.