A387891083 23351 29 2019 Pev106 PDF

Verbal Ability-I PEV106
UNIT 1
LECTURE 1 & 2
Subject Verb Agreement
Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

BASICS
Agreement in general refers to harmony. In the case of the topic called Subject Verb Agreement, it refers to the verb
agreeing with the subject in number and form of the subject. Subjects must agree with verbs, and pronouns must
agree with antecedents. Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs. In grammar, number
refers to the two forms of a word: singular (one) or plural (more than one).
What is a subject?
The subject; WHO or WHAT is completing the action of the sentence.
It can be either a noun or a pronoun.
Often it appears at the beginning of the sentence.
What is a verb?
A verb can show action -- either mental or physical action.
It can also show state of being.
In grammar, number refers to the two forms of a word: singular (one) or plural (more than one).
A verb agrees with its subject in number.

Singular subjects take singular verbs:
The car stays in the garage .
The flower smells good.
There is an old saying: “Opposites attract.” The rule for singular and plural verbs is just the opposite of the rule for
singular and plural nouns. Remember this when you match subjects and verbs. You might guess that stays and smells
are plural verbs because they end in s. They aren’t. Both stays and smells are singular verbs.
The number of the subject (singular or plural) is not changed by words that come between the subject and the
verb.
One of the eggs is broken.
Of the eggs is a prepositional phrase.
The subject ‘one’ and the verb ‘is’ are both singular. Mentally omit the prepositional phrase to make the subject
verb-agreement easier to make.
Some subjects always take a singular verb even though the meaning may seem plural.
These subjects always take singular verbs: (SANE)
Each Someone
Either Anyone
Neither Nobody
One Somebody
No one Anybody
Everyone Everybody
Someone in the game was (not were) hurt.
Neither of the men is (not are) working.
The following words may be singular or plural, depending upon their use in a sentence, some, any, all,
most. Most of the news is good. (singular)
Most of the flowers were yellow. (plural)
All of the pizza was gone. (singular)
All of the children were late. (plural)
“Subjects joined by ‘and’ are plural. “Subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ take a verb that agrees with the last subject.
Bob and George are leaving.
Neither Bob nor George is leaving. Neither Bob nor his friends are leaving.
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THERE and HERE are never subjects. In sentences that begin with these words, the subject is usually found
later on in the sentence.
There were five books on the shelf. (WERE, agrees with the subject BOOK)
Here is the report you wanted. (IS agrees with subject REPORT)
Collective nouns may be singular or plural, depending on their use in the sentence.
A collective noun is a noun used to name a whole group. (UNISON)
Following are some common examples:
Army, crowd, orchestra, audience, flock, public, class, group, swarm, club, herd, team, committee, jury,
troop, trio, United States
The orchestra is playing a hit song. (Orchestra is considered as one unit—singular.)

The orchestra were asked to give their musical backgrounds. (Orchestra is considered as separate individuals—
plural)
Expressions of time, money, measurement, and weight are usually singular when the amount is considered one
unit.
Five dollars is (not are) too much to ask.
Ten days is (not are) not nearly enough time.
On certain occasions, however these terms are used in the plural sense:
There were thirty minutes to countdown.
Some nouns, while plural in form, are actually singular in meaning.

Mathematics is (not are) an easy subject for some people.
Physics is (not are) taught by Prof, Baldwin.
Mumps, home, economics, social studies, economics, measles, calisthenics, statistics, civics, physics,
gymnastics, phonics, news, acrobatics, aesthetics, thesis, mathematics
Don’t and doesn’t must agree with the subject.

Use doesn’t after he, she, it.
Doesn’t he (not don’t) know how to sail?
They don’t (not doesn’t) make movies like that anymore.
QUICK REVIEW
Subject Example Form Usage

Bread and butter is what I
Bread and butter, Rice and dal Singular
have for my breakfast
Compound Noun
Jack and Jim, Cheese and
Plural Jack and Jim are friends
Oregano
A pair of Spectacles, A pair of Singular A pair of my pants is missing
pliers
Plural Nouns Spectacles, Scissors, Pliers,
Tweezers, Pants, Trousers, Plural My pants are missing
Police
Committee, Orchestra, Band,
Singular The jury has given its verdict
Jury, Class, Crowd, Team
Collective nouns
“UNI“ON” The members of the
Members of the jury Plural jury have given their
verdict
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Measles, Mathematics, News, Economics is an interesting

Nouns ending Singular
Aesthetics subject
with an ‘s’ Economics of the project are
Assets, Earnings Plural very doubtful (Financial/
Economic situation)
Sand, Air, Water, Data
Uncountable
(Datum), Information, Singular Information is processed data.
Nouns
Machinery
The politician along with his
As well as, together with, Verb takes the party men is participating in a
Combined with rally
along with, as long as, in form of the MAIN
Conjunctional phrases
addition to subject to it The party men along with their
leader are participating in a rally
Combined with Either his friends or he is to be
Correlative Neither..nor, Either..or Verb takes the present in the class.
conjunction Conjunction ‘Or ‘ also follows form of the subject
“P‘OXIMITY Either he or his friends are to
the same rule closest to it
be present in the class.
‘ULE”
It is the chairman, not the
students, who decides the code
Negative and Verb takes the
of conduct
Positive compounded A, not B form of POSITIVE
The students, not the
subject subject
teacher, are worried about
the CA
SANE (Someone/Somebody, Everyone in this session is
Singular
Anyone, No one, Everyone) receptive
Indefinite FABS (Few, All, Both, Several) Plural All of you are receptive
pronouns Some points of the lecture
None, Most, Some, Half of, x%
Both are interesting Some part of
of, a third of
the lecture is interesting
To + Verb form is infinitive To
sing, to dance, to cook, to To sing is my
read, to listen Singular passion Singing
Verb + ing form is Gerund is my passion
Infinitives and Singing, Dancing, Cooking
Gerunds To cook multiple cuisines and to
Plural
(Compounded play guitar are my hobbies
infinitives or Cooking multiple cuisines and
gerunds) playing guitar are my hobbies
Two days of off in the weekend
is insufficient
Time, Distance, Speed, Ten kilos of rice is required to
Measurements Singular
Currency, Weight cook for fifty people
1000 kilometers is a very long
distance
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QUESTION FORM
In interrogative sentences, the usual formal of Subject+ Verb + Object is reversed and thus the subject that
determines the form should be carefully identified
1. Where are your friends?

2. Where is your friend?
3. What am I supposed to teach?
4. Who is he talking to?
5. What are you supposed to learn?
6. How is the class?
7. How are your teachers?
PRACTICE 1
1. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
2. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
3. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
4. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
5. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
6. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
7. The members of the committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
8. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
9. Mathematics (is, are) John's favourite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favourite subject.
10. Statistics (is, are) not a piece of cake to learn.
11. Unfortunately, dishonest politics (was, were) used to win the election.
12. Athletics (provides, provide) important opportunities for physical development.
13. Good news usually (travels, travel) fast.
14. Ceramics (take, takes) a great deal of practice for proficiency.
15. The projected statistics (compares, compare) the budgets of the first 3 quarters.
16. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
17. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
18. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
19. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
20. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
21. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
22. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
23. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
24. 50% of the work (is, are) complete.
25. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
26. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
27. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
28. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.
29. Among the animals, turtles cling to their basic structural design, while many others (is, are) experimenting
their way to extinction.
30. Turtles are unique; each (has, have) eight cervical vertebrae, compared with seven of most mammals.
31. Turtles have specific characteristics; all (displays, display) two plated decks: the upper, called the carapace,
and the lower, known as the plastron.
32. Of the female turtles, some (has, have) been found to be twice the size of the males.
33. Running and jogging (is, are) both good for health
34. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
35. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
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PRACTICE 2
Make sentences using the following hints
Hint: Stock, to bull

Stocks of company X bulled last night. / Stocks of company X could be bulling this week.
1. Sibling, to do
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Party man, to beef
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Artists, to envision
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Never, to lure
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. House, to adjourn
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Verdict, to acquit
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Comradeship, to be
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
8. I, to cow
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Convict, to impale
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Love, to make
____________________________________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE 3
Fill in the blanks or correct the error in the italicized sentence wherever applicable
My family (1) _______(to enjoy) scuba-diving, so nearly every vacation, we go on a diving trip. We have
noticed that there (2) (to be) three completely different kinds of divers. We call them the
"nature lovers", the "pool guys", and the "seals".
(__________________________________________________________________________________________________)
The people who we call "nature lovers" enjoy getting in the water for a short swim to look at the rocks,
seaweed and underwater creatures, which (3) (to be) swimming around. The "pool guys", who
wear the latest hi- tech equipment, (4) ________(to come) for a short while to have a swim and test how
good their equipment(5) (to be). The "seals", who wear only their swimsuits, dive in the
water and disappear for what(6) (to seem) like hours. Each of the divers (7) _______(to enjoy)
the ocean in a different way.
The "nature lovers" are the one who enjoy snorkeling around for brief periods of time.
[ _ ]
They always (8) (to try) to have a minimal impact on the environment. For example,
their trash, or garbage, (9) _____ (to be) always taken out. Taking rocks and shells are something
they would never do. They are there to see, but not spoil the beauty of nature that (10) ____________(to
be) under water.
The "pool guys" are the divers who want to go to the beach, or ocean without ever actually leaving their backyard.
[ ______________________________________________________________________________]
They come in utility vehicles (SUVs), carrying heavy-duty wet suits, and the latest in diving masks, fins, and
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airtanks.
They are the ones who are so covered with equipment that they can hardly see, feel, and touch the
underwater environment. Comparing air tanks and wet suits (11) (to be) what they
do most.
The "seals" are the divers who act as if they are returning to their natural habitat.
[ ___________________________________________________________________________________]
Perhaps in previous lives, they were actually seals. Diving into the water, they hardly (12) ________(to make)
a splash. As soon as they are in the water, they start poking around looking for crabs, abalone and other fish.
The"seals" are the people who (13) ________(to cook) on the beach. They are also the ones, who (14)
______________ (to leave) the biggest mess. However, since they use beach wood for their fires and eat
what they catch in the ocean, there (15) ____________(to be) no paper or plastic packaging left behind.
My family (16) ____(to be) a combination of all three types.

All my brother wants to do are try out different kinds of equipment and see how deep he can dive.
[ ] As
for my father, he is a "seal": swimming around and cooking his 'catch' (17) _____________(to be) what he
enjoys the most. My mother and I are "nature lovers": swimming with snorkels and fins is fun, but neither of
us (18) ________________(to have) any interest in diving fifty feet down or reaching under a rock to find a
slimy abalone. So, we all enjoy our diving trips in our own way.
(__________________________________________________________________________________]
Tutorial 1
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
Beginner Exercise:
1.1 Exercise One
When a verb agrees with its subject in number.
Direction: Select the correct verb in each of the sentences below.
1. Your friend (talk-talks) too much.
2. The man with the roses (look-looks) like your brother.
3. The women in the pool (swim-swims) well.
4. Bill (drive-drives) a cab.
5. The football players (run-runs) five miles every day.
6. That red-haired lady in the fur hat (live-lives) across the street.
7. He (cook-cooks) dinner for his family.
8. The boys (walk-walks) to school every day.
9. The weather on the coast (appear-appears) to be good this weekend.
10. The center on the basketball team (bounce-bounces) the ball too high.
1.2 Exercise Two

When a subject is singular or plural depending on its usage and some seem to be plural but always take singular
verb.
1. Each of the girls (look-looks) good on skis.
2. Everybody (was-were) asked to remain quiet.
3. Neither of the men (is-are) here yet.
4. (Is-Are) each of the girls ready to leave?
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5. Several of the sheep (is-are) sick.

6. Some members of the faculty (is-are) present.
7. Nobody in the class (has-have) the answer.
8. Each of the girls (observe-observes) all the regulations.
9. All of the milk (is-are) gone.
10. Most of the seats (was-were) taken.
11. At the end of the fall (comes/come) the hard tests.
12. The slaughter of animals for their fur (has/have) caused controversy.
13. The student, as well as his teacher, (was/were) going on the field trip.
14. The hard tests (comes/come) at the end of the fall.
15. Both of my roommates (has/have) decided to live in the dorms.
1.3 Exercise Three

When a subject is a collective noun or joined by and, or, nor.
1. Margo and her parents (visit-visits) each other often.
2. Either the cups or the glasses (are-is) in the dishwasher.
3. Vern and Fred (need-needs) a ride to work.
4. There (is-are) a dog, a cat, and a bird in the garage.
5. Neither Matt nor his brothers (was-were) at the party.
6. Here into the main ring of the circus (come-comes) the trained elephants.
7. Either the workers or the boss (deliver-delivers) the merchandise.
8. The committee (work-works) hard for better schools.
9. There (is-are) many things to do before the holidays.
10. The jury (was-were) polled for their verdicts.
11. Here (is-are) the nails you need for the projects.
12. Either Joyce or Ellen (was-were) here.
13. The United States (is-are) a country of contrast.
14. A magazine and a book (was-were) lying on the floor.
15. The family (is-are) occupied with their individual problems.
1.4 Exercise Four

When the amount is considered as one unit and some plural form of nouns are actually singular in meaning
1. Mumps (is-are) one of the most uncomfortable diseases.
2. One hundred dollars (is-are) not a lot of money to some people.
3. She (doesn’t-don’t) look very well today.
4. Twenty minutes (is-are) the amount of time it takes me to get home from work.
5. It (doesn’t-don’t) seem so cold today.
6. Gymnastics (is-are) easy for Angela.
7. Interesting news (is-are) what sells our paper.
8. A pound of cookies (cost-costs) about a dollar.
9. They (doesn’t-don’t) think they’ll win the game tonight.
10. He (don’t-doesn’t) speak very well.
Intermediate Exercise
1.5 Fill in the blanks with the suitable option
1. “The owner and the manager ___________arriving soon”
a) Are b. is c. was d. will
2) “Neither tribulation nor solace ____________ felt by the heartless”
a) is b. be c. are d. were
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3) “A theory of physics ____________ that a body in motion stays in motion”

a) Ascertain b. ascertains c. Ascertained d. None of the above
4) “I was appalled. Yikes! There __________ a hair in my broth”
a) Were b. be c. are d. is
5) “My wife and friend ____________ who epitomized true.”
a) Were b. be c. are d. is
6) “The student along with his friends __________ walking towards the office”
a) Was b. has c. are d. were
7) “Two –Thirds of the cake __________ eaten by the rats”
a) Is b. am c. are d. were
8) “More than one mistake_____________ spotted”
a) Was b. will c. are d. were
9)”seventy percentage of the students ______________in favor of their teacher ”
a) Was b. are c. there d. is
10) “The master as well as his dog _____________ suffering the same disease”
a) Were b. are c. is d. am
11) “Some of the cans still ______________ water ”
a) Have b. has c. is d. None of the above
12) “The girl with many others ____________ going to the show”
13) “Ten gallons ____________ a lot of liquid”
14) “Many a student ______________ made the same mistake”
a) Has b. have c. are d. were
15) “The poor __________ suffering”
16) “One of these most intelligent students whose example __________ being followed____ James”
a) is/is b. am/is c. are/is d. were/were
17) “The only one of these most intelligent students who_____ under 18______ Monica ”
a) is/is b. am/is c. are/are d. were/were
18) “The profit in the candy business _________ inordinate ”
a) has b. is c. are d. were
19)” Fifty days ___________ a not a long time to wait for a flamboyant design”
a) is b. will c. are d. were
20) “The majority _____________ most of the time”
a) Rules b. ruling c. rule d. None of the above
Identify the erroneous part
21) “Everybody here (a)/enjoys the(b)/astounding speech given by the president(C)”
a. Everybody here b. enjoys the c. astounding speech d. No error
22) “The couch and chair (a)/ I got at(b) /the store looks (c)/really nice in here(d).”
a. The couch… b. I got at c. the store looks d. really…
23) “The crowd (a)/ is (b) getting angry(c).”
a. The crowd b. is c. getting angry d. No error
24) “The Burbs (a)/ are (b)/ a movie starring Tom Hanks(c).
a. The Burbs b. are c. a movie… d. No error
25) “A large percentage (a)/of the population(b) in the forest are(c)leaving their caves (d)”
a. A large… b. of the… c. in the forest are…. d. leaving…..
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26) “The master and his dog (a)/are(b) /suffering the same disease (c)”
a. The master…. b. are c. suffering the… d. No error
27) “Several (a)/ seeks(b)/ forgiveness while the rest are ideal(c).”
a. Several…. b. seeks c. forgiveness while … d. No error
28) ”The leader , who has been convicted along with his party members on accord of various crimes and
misdemeanour who also acts(a)/ like an angle(b) , to gain more fame (c), are finally going to jail(d).”
a. The leader, who …. b like an angle c. to gain … d. are finally….
29) “Either (a)/ is (b)/acceptable(c)”
a. Either b. is c. acceptable d. No error
30) “Either (a)this cake or chocolate(b) are going to get me sick(c) ”
a. Either b. this cake… c. are going….. d. No error
Improve the sentence by replacing the Underlined part

31) “When has your parents arrived taken you on a tour?”
a. When has b. when have c. when is d. None of the above
32) “A few is available in stock.”
a. A few are b. A few c. A few has d. A few have
33) “The minister, accompanied by his guards, was at the magnanimous charity. “
a. was at b. were at c. have at d. has at
34) “ According to me, anything are tasty except street food”
a. anything is b. anything are c. anything were d. anything has
35) “The group in blue is my family members ”
a. is my family b. are my family c. my family d. was my family
36) “ The number of students selected for the internship have doubled ”
a. have doubled b. have more than c. has doubled d. None of the above
37) “Following intense debate, the faculty has approved the measure to increase class size by 15% over
the next four years.”
a. the faculty has approved the measure to increase
b. the faculty has approved the measure and increased
c. the faculty have approved the measure to increase
d. the faculty have given their approval to the measure to increase
e. the faculty, having approved the measure to increase
38) “The Indian library, which contains 120,000 references from prehistoric times through the Indo- Aryan
period, are home to one of the most impressive collections of ancient Indian records.”
a. which contains 120,000 references from prehistoric times through the Indo- Aryan period, are home
to
b. which contain 120,000 references from prehistoric times through the Indo- Aryan period, are home to
c. containing 120,000 references from prehistoric times through the Indo- Aryan period, are home to
d. which contains 120,000 references from prehistoric times through the Indo- Aryan period, is home to
39) “A number of colorful glass vases were displayed in the store window.”
a. were displayed in the store window
b. was displaying in the store window
c. was being displayed in the store window
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d. No need of replacement
40) “The People’s Republic of China, having 1.3 billion people, with many of which living in outlying rural
areas far to the west of Beijing, often have been considered as an emerging superpower.”
a. having 1.3 billion people, with many of which living in outlying rural areas far to the west of Beijing,
often have been considered as
b. having 1.3 billion people, many living in outlying rural areas far to the west of Beijing, often has been
considered as
c. with 1.3 billion people, many living in outlying rural areas far to the west of Beijing, often has been
considered
d. with 1.3 billion people, with many living in outlying rural areas far to the west of Beijing, often has
been considered to be
Advance Exercise:
1.6 Choose the correct option:
Q1. Before the Civil War, Harriet Tubman, along with other former slaves and white abolitionists, helped create what had
become known as the Underground Railroad, and were responsible for leading hundreds, if not thousands, of slaves to
freedom.
(A) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
(B) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
(C) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and was
(D) has been becoming known as the Underground Railroad, and was
(E) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and was
Q2. Mathematical analysis of humpback whale sounds provide evidence that animals other than humans use a hierarchical
structure of communication.
A. provide evidence that animals other than humans
B. provides evidence that animals other than humans
C. provide evidence that an animal other than humans
D. provides evidence that an animal other than a human
E. provide evidence that animals, like humans,
Q3. According to industry analysts, the recent growth in the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas
are likely to accelerate in the future.
A. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
B. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
C. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
D. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
E. hybrid motor vehicles’ numbers in major metropolitan areas are
Q4. According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in
pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.
A. is likely to double
B. are likely to increase by twice
C. are likely to double
D. will double
E. will increase by twice
Q5. Since 1929, when the global telegraph business peaked, the number of telegrams delivered annually have decreased from
200 million to only 21,000 last year.
A. have decreased from 200 million
B. have been reduced from 200 million
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C. has decreased from 200 million

D. has been reduced from 200 million down
E. has decreased from 200 million down
Q6. As the honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed, staying where it is inserted, this results in the act of stinging causing the bee to
sustain a fatal injury.
(A) As the honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed, staying where it is inserted, this results in the act of stinging causing
(B) As the heavily barbed stinger of the honeybee stays where it is inserted, with the result that the act of stinging causes
(C) The honeybee’s stinger, heavily barbed and staying where it is inserted, results in the fact that the act of stinging causes
(D) The heavily barbed stinger of the honeybee stays where it is inserted, and results in the act of stinging causing
(E) The honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed and stays where it is inserted, with the result that the act of stinging causes
Q7. The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing have been relaxed.
(A) The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly since
regulations on manufacturing have been relaxed.
(B) The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like those caused by faulty wiring, have increased significantly since
regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
(C) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the number caused by faulty wiring, have increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
(D) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly since
regulations on manufacturing had been relaxed.
(E) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the number caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
Q8. Every workday at dawn, the patriarch of one of the city’s five richest families leaves his mansion and walks to city hall.
A. richest families leaves his mansion and walks
B. richest families leave his mansion and walk
C. richest families leaves his mansion and walk
D. richer families leave his mansion and walks
E. richer families leaves his mansion and walks
Q9. In comparison with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds
located farther from the center, and typically have a less symmetric wind field.
A. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther
from the center, and typically have
B. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther
from the center, and typically has
C. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone located farther from the center of
maximum winds, and typically have
D. to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther
from the center, and typically have
E. to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther
from the center, and typically has
Q10. Since the last election, the lobbying effort initiated by environmental organizations, homeowners, and small business
owners have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation.
(A) have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
(B) have increased awareness about pending legislation dealing with the environment
(C) has increased awareness about pending environmental legislation
(D) has increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
(E) has increased awareness of environmental legislation that is still pending
Q11. Since 1989, after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified
Germany, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans, who have had to acclimate to an
entirely different political system.
(A) after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified German, in cultural
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and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans

(B) after the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in cultural
terms as well as those of economic assimilation, were the former East Germans
(C) when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the reunified Germany's most problematic ethnic groups, in terms of cultural
and economic assimilation, was the former East Germans
(D) when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in terms of
cultural and economic assimilation, has been the former East Germans
(E) after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in both
terms of cultural and economic assimilation, have been the former East Germans
Q12. Noting that the price of oil and other fuel components, a major factor in the cost structure of
an airline, have risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic
about their outlook for the upcoming quarter.
A. have risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their
B. have risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about the
C. will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about the
D. has risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their
E. will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their
Q13. A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keeps the
housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.
A. keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did
B. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
C. keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
D. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
E. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did
Q14. The Daughters of the American Revolution, a volunteer service organization, admits as
members only women who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.
A. admits as members only women who can prove lineal descent
B. admit as members only women who can prove lineal descent
C. admits as members women who can prove lineal descent
D. only admit as members women who can prove lineal descent
E. admits as members women who can prove lineal descent only
Q15. Consumption of bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper
dose, also cause a significant reduction in maternal bleeding after childbirth.
A. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions,
seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
B. products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures
and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause significantly reduced
C. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions,
seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significant reduction in
D. bread made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures
and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
E. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions,
seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significantly reduced
Q16. Since the mid-1990s, the central government of Botswana has been forcibly removing native
Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the government justifies their actions by
stating that it is too costly to provide such basic services like medical care and schooling to
such a remote area.
A. justifies their actions by stating that it is too costly to provide such basic services like
B. justifies their actions by stating it is too costly and expensive to provide such basic services as
13

C. justify their actions by stating that it is too costly to provide basic services like
D. justify its actions by stating that it is too costly and expensive to provide such a basic service as
E. justifies its actions by stating that it is too costly to provide such basic services as
Q17. The governor’s team of advisors, including her education and political strategists, has not been
available for comment since the governor released her controversial education reform
proposal.
A. has not been available for comment since the governor released her controversial education reform proposal
B. have not been available for comment since the governor released her controversial education reform proposal
C. have not been available for comment since she released her proposal on controversial education reform
D. has not been available for comment since she released her controversial education reform proposal
E. has not been available to make comments since she released her proposal on controversial reform in education
Q18. Hogarth's engravings, which provide a vivid portrait of eighteenth-century London, are of
interest to both artists and historians.
A. are of interest to both
B. are interests both for
C. are both interesting to
D. is of interest to both
E. is interesting for both
Q19. The banana that contains high level of potassium and other important minerals are considered
to be one of nature’s healthiest fruits.
A. The banana that contains high level of potassium and other important minerals are considered to be
B. The banana, which contains high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered
C. The banana, which contain high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered to be
D. Bananas which contain high levels of potassium and other important minerals are considered
E. The banana, which contains high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered to be
Q20. The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well
as energy costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order
to save money on winter heating.
A. unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
B. rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
C. unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
D. unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
E. rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been
Q21. Every workday at dawn, the patriarch of one of the city’s five richest families leaves his
mansion and walks to city hall.
A. richest families leaves his mansion and walks
B. richest families leave his mansion and walk
C. richest families leaves his mansion and walk
D. richer families leave his mansion and walks
E. richer families leaves his mansion and walks
Miscellaneous Exercise:
1.7 Identify the Error:
1. All of the signs along the highway was removed.
2. Everyone are excited about the party.
3. Sara and Desmond is organizing the food.
4. Many of my classmates are arriving early to decorate the party room.
5. The party start at 8:00.
6. Each of us are bringing a small gift that cost less than $10 for another person.
7. Mike, like many other students, have been trying to decide on the best gift to buy.
14

8. Mike doesn’t want to get something serious; he like to make people laugh.
9. Unfortunately, all the funny things is too expensive.
10. Soo Min is making a cake, and Moses is buying some special chips.
11. Calcium, which is one of the world’s most common elements, are important for growing strong bones and teeth.
12. Every animal requires calcium for its health.
13. Calcium are also used for many other purposes.
14. As far back as Ancient Egyptian times, historians tells us of the use of calcium as a building material.
15. In nature, this important element is always found as a compound such as calcium carbonate and calcium fluoride.
16. Lack of calcium can be a serious problem.
17. Calcium-deficient bones are brittle and break easily.
18. Older people, especially older women, frequently get osteoporosis.
19. Osteoporosis are a condition which causes calcium deficiency in bones.
20. In Canada, one in four women over the age of fifty suffer from osteoporosis.
21. She always offer her food to the poor and needy.
22. Fishermen is spotted catching fish on the bank of the river.
23. The meeting adjourned abruptly by the CEO after about three hours of deliberation.
24. A tie is a very important part of formal dressing for every men.
25. It is true that God helps those who helps themselves.
1.8 Choose the correct verb from the following sentences:

1. My friends and my mother like / likes each other.
2. The team and the band was / were on the field.
3. Building a good marriage and building a good log fire is / are similar in many ways.
4. John or Doris write / writes to us regularly.
5. Neither Carol nor Ted is / are excluded from the meeting
6. Either Patty or Tom was / were asked to lead the meeting.
7. Neither the basket nor the apples was / were expensive.
8. Neither the apples nor the basket was / were expensive
9. Either Maria or you was / were late for class.
10. Either you or Maria was / were late for class.
11. Hardest hit by the high temperatures and the drought was / were the farmers.
12. Neither of them like / likes going to the show.
13. Each of them has / have a good seat.
14. Everybody in the class has / have tickets.
15. Every silver knife, fork, and spoon has / have to be counted.
16. Each cat and each dog has / have its own toy.
17. The committee is / are meeting today.
18. Ten million gallons of oil is / are a lot of oil.
19. The jury vote / votes today.
20. The number is / are very small.
21. A number of students was / were absent.
22. Ten million gallons of oil was / were spilled.
23. The majority of us is / are in favour.
24. Statistics is / are an interesting subject.
25. The rhythm of the pounding waves is / are calming.
26. All of the dogs in the neighborhood were / was barking.
27. A high tax, not to mention unemployment, influence / influences votes.
28. My friends and my mother like / likes each other.
29. The team and the band was / were on the field.
30. None of the matter discussed, seem/ seems to be important.
15

UNIT 2
LECTURE 3 & 4
Vocabulary
16

INTRODUCTION TO VOCABULARY
Vocabulary as a word is a noun and there are a variety of words that comprise vocabulary
Words in a language
Context / discipline/ domain – Medical, Engineering, Economics, Business etc.
Words that an individual knows and uses - Active
Words that an individual knows but not uses – Passive
Interesting vocabulary facts

A highly educated adult has a listening/speaking vocabulary of about 10,000 words but likely knows nearly
100,000 words in reading and writing
It has been found that by the age of three, children from lower income families know 600 fewer words than children
of the same age from families with higher incomes
In order for children to become proficient readers, they need to learn five to six new words per day, 38 words per
week, 2000 new words a year, and 10,000 by the age of 6!
3 Tiers of vocabulary
Beck, McKeown, & Kucan (2002) have proposed three tiers of vocabulary that need to the explicitly taught to children.
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

Description Basic words most Words that appear Uncommon words that are
children know before frequently in texts and for typically associated with a
they enter school which children already have specific domain
some conceptual
understanding
Example Yes, no, happy, chair, Lonely, fortunate Revolution, peninsula, myopia
Head
Why learn vocabulary?

Increases brain power
Improves communication skills
Instils confidence
How to improve vocabulary

Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Tips to guess word meanings?

1. Root words – Root words are words from which a number of words are formulated. Not all but most of the roots
in English are Latin.
Ex: Phobia – Fear – Phobic, Acrophobia, Claustrophobia
Prefixes – A group of letters constituting part of a word, having a meaning and lying as an affix added in front of a
word.
Ex: Anti – Antiseptic, Antioxidant, Antichrist
Suffixes – A group of letters constituting part of a word, having a meaning and lying as an affix added at the end of a
word.
Ex: ‘-ion’ Corrosion, Attention, Permission, Emotion – Used as ‘sion’ or ‘tion’ and forms a Noun
2. Identifying parts of speech

To understand what a word means, it is essential to understand what it is used
17
as. Ex: I am here to project the annual budget of our project.

The first project is a verb and the second project is a noun. So based on the usage the meaning differs.
Context
3. The meanings of the words surrounding a new word can be easily deciphered. This can be done by spotting a
synonym, an antonym, a definition or an explanation to the unknown word
Ex: In his speech, the president tried to assuage people’s concerns about the economy. Indeed his excellent
speech put everyone at ease.
The bold and italicized part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the meaning of ASSUAGE Thus; to
assuage a concern means make to make something less severe or less serious.
Techniques to remember vocabulary
1. Law of visualization
Remembering the word by relating it to a visual image
WORD : ADROIT – skilful
Think of a Robot – An Android – Robots are very skilful
2. Law of association
Remembering the word by associating it with a known word
WORD : SARDONIC – sarcastic
3. Mnemonics
Remembering a word by making funny associations
WORD: EXTIRPATE – Eradicate
My friend is trying to extirpate his extra pate (belly in Hindi)
ROOT WORD, SUFFIXES AND PREFIXES

Recognizing the roots of words can increase one’s reading comprehension as well as vocabulary.
ROOT WORDS
COMMON WORD ROOTS

ac, acr: sharp, bitter acid (something that is sharp, sour, or ill natured), acute (extremely sharp or severe;
keenly perceptive)
ced, ceed, cess: to go, yield, stop antecedent (that which precedes), exceed (to extend beyond or outside of; surpass)
culp: blame culprit (person accused or guilty of a crime), mea culpa (Latin, “my fault”)
dic, dict, dit: to say, tell, use words dictate (to say or read aloud; to issue orders or commands),
predict (to foretell, make known in advance)
equ: equal, even equate (to make or consider two things as equal), equidistant (equally distant)
err: to wander err (to make a mistake), error (a mistake; an incorrect or wrong action)
loc, log, loqu: word, speech dialogue (a conversation between two or more people), neologism (a new word or
mag, maj, max: big magnify (to increase in size, volume or significance; to amplify), maximum (the greatest possible
quantity or degree)
man: hand manual (operated by hand), manufacture (to make by hand or machinery)
min: to project, hang over prominent (standing out, conspicuous; projecting or jutting beyond the line or surface),
eminent (towering above or more prominent that others; lofty, distinguished)
omni: all omnipresent (everywhere at once), omnipotent (all powerful)
pug: to fight pug (a boxer), repugnant (highly offensive or distasteful; hostile, disposed to fight)
ver: truth verdict (the findings of a jury in a trial; decision or judgment), verify (to confirm the truth of)
life vivid (evoking life-like images in the mind; true to life; bright, brilliant, distinct), vigorous (energetic, forceful,
active, strong)
voc, vok: to call vocal (of or pertaining to the voice; tending to express oneself often and freely, outspoken), revoke (to
cancel, call back, reverse, withdraw)
anthro, andro: man, human android (a very human-like machine or robot, especially one made of biological materials),
18
anthropology (the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings)

auto: self automatic (operating without external influence or control; having inherent power of action or motion),
autopsy (examination of a dead body to determine cause of death; seeing with one’s own eyes)
di, dia: apart, through diameter (a straight line passing through the center of a circle; thickness, width), digress (to
turn aside, deviate, or swerve; to stray from the main subject in writing or speaking)
hyper: over, excessive hyperactive (highly or excessively active), hyperventilate (to breathe excessively and
abnormally fast)
morph: shape metamorphosis (a transformation, a marked change of form, character, or function),
polymorphous (having or assuming a variety of forms)
peri: around perimeter (the outer limits or boundary of an area), periscope (an optical instrument that provides a
view of an otherwise obstructed field)
phone: sound phonics (a method of teaching reading by training beginners to associate letters with their sound
values), symphony (a long and complex sonata for an orchestra; a large orchestra)
theo: god atheist (one who denies the existence of a god or supreme being), theology (the study of god and religion)
PREFIXES
PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLES
a-, an- without, not anesthetic, atheist
ab- away, from abject, abscess
ad-, a-, ac-, as- to, toward access, admit, assist
Ante Before antecedent, anterior
anti- Against antibiotics, antioxidant
auto- Self autoimmune, autonomous
ben- Good benefit, benign
bi- two, both bifocals, bipolar
circum- Around circumference, circumscribe
co-, com-, con- With companion, concurrent
contra-, counter- Against contradict, counteract
de- not, from, down degenerate, depress
di-, dis- lack of, not, apart disadvantage, displacement
eu- good, normal eugenics, eulogy
ex- out (of), former expose, extract
exo-, ecto-, extra-, extro- Outside exoskeleton, extraordinary
fore- Before foresee, foreshadow
hemi- Half hemisphere
Hyper above, excessive hyperactive, hypertension
hypo- under, insufficient hypodermic, hypothetical
il-, im-, in-, ir- in, into, not, against illegitimate, inadequate
inter- among. Between interpose, intervene
intra- Within intramural, intravenous
macro- Large macrobiotic, macrocosm
mal- Bad malfunction, malignant
micro- Small microbe, microscope
mis- Wrong misfortune, mistake
mono- One monolingual, monopoly
multi- Many multiple, multitask
non- not, lacking nonfat, nonsense
ob-,o-, oc-, op- against, over, completely object, occur, omit, oppose
omni- All omnipotent, omnivorous
19
peri- Around peripheral, periscope

poly- Many polygamous, polygon
post- After postgraduate, postpone

pre- Before precede, predict, prevent
pro- Forward progress, promotion
quad- Four quadriplegic, quadrangle
re- again, back reform, retain, regenerate
semi- half, partially semiannual, semiconscious
sub- Under submarine, subtropical
super-, supra- above, excessive superlative, suprarenal
sym-, syn- with, together sympathy, synthetic
trans- across, beyond Transform, transportation
tri- Three tricycle, triple
ultra- beyond. Excessive ultraliberal, ultrasonic
un- Not undeserved, unhappy
uni- One uniform, unilateral
SUFFIXES
Noun Suffixes
-ance, -ence: action, process, or state of adolescence (the state of growing up from childhood to adulthood;
the transitional period between youth and maturity), dependence (the state of being dependent)
-ion: act or process; state or condition detection (the act of detecting), election (the act or power of electing)
-ism: act, practice, or process; state or doctrine of feminism (belief in the social, political, and economic equality of
the sexes), materialism (the belief that the acquisition of material possessions is the highest good)
-ist: one who (performs, makes, produces, believes, etc.) dentist (one who is trained and licensed to practice
dentistry), pianist (one who plays the piano)
-ity: quality, state, or degree equality (the state or quality of being equal), fidelity (the quality of being faithful)
-sis: process or action diagnosis (the process of identifying the nature or cause of a disease or injury), paralysis (loss
of sensation or ability to move or function)
-ure: act, condition, process, function enclosure (the act of enclosing or state of being enclosed), failure (the condition
or act of not achieving a desired end; the act or fact of failing to perform as expected or requested)
Adjective suffixes
-able, -ible: capable or worthy of; tending or liable to dependable (worthy of being depended on, trustworthy),
incredible (not credible; unable to be believed, improbable)
-al, -ial, ical: having the quality of, relating to, or characterized by practical (of or relating to practice or action; useful),
ethical (of or relating to ethics or morals)
-an, -ian: one who is or does; related to, characteristic of humanitarian (one who is devoted to the promotion of human
welfare; relating to, or characteristic of a humanitarian), politician (one who seeks or holds a political office)
-ic: pertaining or relating to, having the quality of dramatic (of or relating to drama, theatrical), realistic (of or relating to
the representation of things as they really are)
-ile: having the qualities of fragile (easily broken, damaged, or destroyed; frail), servile (pertaining to or befitting a slave;
abjectly submissive, slavish)
-ish: having the character of childish (characteristic of, pertaining to, or resembling a child), foolish (devoid of good sense
or judgment; exhibiting folly, in the manner of a fool)
-ive: performing or tending towards (an action); having the nature of cooperative (marked by a willingness to cooperate;
done with or working with others for a common purpose), defensive (serving to defend or protect)
-ous, -ose: full of, having the quality of, relating to glorious (having or deserving glory, famous), nauseous (causing
nausea, sickening)
Verb Suffixes
-ate: to make, cause to be or become deteriorate (to make worse, impair; to make inferior in quality or character),
irritate (to cause annoyance or disturbance in; to make impatient, angry, annoyed)
20
-ify, -fy: to make, form into beautify (to make beautiful), specify (to state explicitly or in detail)

-ize: to cause to be or become, to bring about colonize (to establish a colony), democratize (to make or become
democratic)
PRACTICE 1
Prefix and suffix
1. Antecedent means: e. uncertainty, doubt.

a. fighting against.
b. looking after. 8. Agrarian means:
c. coming before. a. incapable of making a decision.
d. under the authority of. b. to cultivate.
e. recent. c. to be out of date.
d. relating to land or land ownership.
2. Multifaceted means: e. the process of testing for impurities.
a. two-faced.
b. many sided. 9. Parity means:
c. uniform. a. to make equal in status, amount, or degree.
d. cut into parts. b. the state of being equal in status, amount, or degree.
e. chaotic. c. one who is equal in status, amount, or degree.
d. the act of making someone or something equal in status,
3. Circumspect means: amount, or degree.
a. relating to the circus. e. to cause to become equal in status, amount, or degree.
b. to examine thoroughly.
c. put forth in writing. 10. Galvanize means:
d. in an uncomfortable position. a. to be active or aware.
e. looking around carefully. b. the state of becoming active or aware.
c. one who becomes active or aware.
4. Consensus means: d. the act of making someone or something become active or
a. general agreement by a group. aware.
b. an individual opinion. e. to cause to become active or aware.
c. a counting of individuals.
d. to issue a warning. 11. Exorbitant means:
e. separate and dissimilar. a. belonging to a group.
b. to orbit.
5. Supercilious means: c. in a new location.
a. less than the norm, disappointing. d. beneath conscious awareness.
b. exactly as expected. e. far beyond what is normal or reasonable; very high.
c. speaking in a measured, exact tone.
d. haughty, with an air of superiority. 12. Denunciation means:
e. achieving what one intended to achieve. a. to denounce or openly condemn.
b. critical, of or like a condemnation.
6. To presage means: c. one who denounces or openly condemns another.
a. to warn in advance. d. the act of denouncing or openly condemning.
b. to send a message. e. to cause to denounce or openly condemn.
c. to pressure.
d. to age gracefully. 13. Metamorphosis means:
e. to be slow to realize. a. to transform.
b. one who has changed.
7. Dubious means: c. a transformation.
a. one who doubts, a non-believer. d. tending to change frequently.
b. to doubt or question. e. capable of dramatic change.
21
c. doubtful, questionable.
d. to be uncertain.

14. To reconcile means:

a. to re-establish a close relationship between. 22. Imperialism means:
b. to move away from. a. one who acquires items from other empires.
c. to undermine. b. an empire built by acquiring other territories.
d. to surpass, outdo. c. relating to the acquisition of territories.
e. to put before something else, prioritize. d. the policy of extending an empire by acquiring other
territories.
15. Didactic means: e. to extend an empire by force.
a. a teacher or instructor.
b. intended to instruct, moralizing. 23. To subjugate means:
c. to preach, moralize. a. to be the subject of a sentence or conversation.
d. the process of instructing. b. to conquer, bring under control.
e. capable of making moral decisions. c. to be wrongly or unevenly distributed.
d. to be surrounded on all sides.
16. Unilateral means: e. to drive away from the source.
a. to multiply.
b. understated. 24. Benevolence means:
c. literal. a. kindness, generosity.
d. one-sided. b. a kind, generous ruler.
e. a complete equation. c. to be generous with one’s time or money.
d. kind, giving charitably.
17. Subordinate means: e. deserving thanks for one’s kindness.
a. under someone else’s authority or control.
b. organized according to rank, hierarchical. 25. To coalesce means:
c. something ordinary or average, without distinction. a. to dig up, mine.
d. repeated frequently to aid memorization. b. to carry out an ill-conceived or poorly planned course of
e. unrealistic, highly fantastical. action.
c. to combine and form a whole; join together.
18. Incisive means: d. to withdraw silently, especially in shame.
a. insight. e. to be very small, barely detectable.
b. worthy of consideration.
c. penetrating, biting in nature. 26. Docile means:
d. to act forcefully. a. one who domesticates animals.
e. the act of penetrating. b. the management of domestic affairs.
c. obedience.
19. Intermittent means: d. willing to obey, easily managed or taught.
a. badly handled. e. to obey authority.
b. occurring at intervals between two times or points.
c. greatly varied. 27. Anomaly means:
d. a number between one and ten. a. regularity, consistency.
e. gathered together in defiance or opposition. b. something that is irregular, abnormal, or deviates from
20. Miscreant means: the usual form.
a. someone who is unconventional. c. a surprising collaboration, the cooperation of unlikely
b. someone who lacks creativity. individuals.
c. a very naãve person. d. discontent among a specific group within a larger
d. a newly elected official. population.
e. an evil person, villain. e. excessive greed.
21. Perennial means: 28. Lamentable means:

a. lasting a very long time, constant. a. regrettable, unfortunate.
b. one who plants a garden. b. to regret.
c. to establish contact. c. an unfortunate occurrence.
22
d. the process of encoding a message. d. to do something regrettable.

e. a person who is trustworthy and dependable. e. one who feels regret.

29. To abscond means:
a. to create a secret hiding place. Root words
b. to do something without telling anyone. Latin
c. to go away secretly and hide. 1. A belligerent person is:
d. to do something ahead of deadline. a. from another country, foreign.
e. to be opposed to. b. kind, eager to help.
c. eager to fight, hostile.
30. Disparate means: d. loving, devoted.
a. chosen from within. e. bitter and angry.
b. exceeding expectations.
c. from the same origin. 2. Someone who is omniscient:
d. able to move across barriers. a. often speaks without thinking.
e. fundamentally different, distinct or apart from others. b. receives the maximum benefit.
c. blames others for his or her own faults.
31. Rectify means: d. is eager to please.
a. to correct. e. is all-knowing.
b. a correction.
c. a surprising error. 3. A renaissance is:
d. an editor. a. a rebirth.
e. erroneous. b. a punishment.
c. a lie.
32. Inscrutable means: d. a mistake.
a. teaching a lesson. e. a speech.
b. having little or no impact.
c. kept between or within members of a family. 4. To equivocate is to:
d. not fathomable; incapable of being understood. a. burn or sting.
e. surrounded by smoke or fog. b. speak in a way that conceals the truth.
c. put something in its proper place.
d. calm or quiet.
33. Antipathy means: e. cause harm or damage to, especially by accident.
a. that which occurred previously.
a. a strong aversion or dislike. 5. Something that is manifest is:
b. an examination of all aspects of an issue. a. everywhere.
c. the act of separating from the source. b. newborn.
d. an incorrect accusation. c. obvious.
d. deadly.
34. Neophyte means: e. large.
a. original, unique.
b. something that comes from multiple sources. 6. Something that is luminous is:
c. a roommate; someone who lives with another. a. bright, shining.
d. a beginner or novice. b. even, equal.
e. a person who refuses to compromise. c. excessive.
d. full of knowledge.
35. Nonchalant means: e. silent.
a. challenging.
b. done with the intent of harming another. 7. A person who is culpable is:
c. not showing anxiety or excitement; indifferent. a. capable.
d. reversing a previous opinion or decision. b. vocal.
e. ancient. c. energetic, full of life.
d. burning with anger.
e. guilty.
23

8. Something that is innocuous is: 16. An edict is:

a. dangerous or deadly. a. a place to rest.
b. irrelevant, wandering from the main path or point. b. a place to stop.
c. harmless, inoffensive. c. the act of seeing or shining.
d. clean, thoroughly washed. d. a formal proclamation or command.
e. projecting over the edge. e. a state of danger or peril.
9. To juxtapose is to:
17. A magnanimous person is:
a. place side by side. a. highly noble, generous.
b. overwhelm, flood. b. extremely talkative.
c. be born again. c. given to wordy, rambling speech.
d. speak in a round-about manner. d. a wanderer, hobo.
e. wash away, erode. e. someone with a sharp wit, sarcastic.
10. Someone who is reticent is: 18. To acquiesce is to:
a. fair, judging equally. a. to call attention to.
b. reserved, silent. b. to speak in a whisper.
c. bubbling over with enthusiasm. c. to mask the truth.
d. deeply in love. d. to give in to, comply with another’s wishes.
e. a great warrior. e. to wish to live another’s life, to want to be someone else.
11. A veritable autograph is:
19. A pugnacious person is best described as:
a. very valuable.
a. nosy.
b. an autograph by a famous person. b. combative.
c. genuine.
c. talented.
d. a forgery or fake. d. ruthless.
e. worthless.
e. evil.
12. To abrogate is to: 20. Something that is erratic:
a. abolish, revoke. a. moves at a constant, steady pace.
b. fight, quarrel. b. is properly ordered; appropriate, in its proper place.
c. rest quietly. c. seems to be harmless but is actually very dangerous.
d. know intimately. d. is cut or divided into equal parts.
e. witness silently. e. is unpredictable, meandering, straying from the norm.
13. An acrimonious relationship is one that: Greek

a. has existed for a long time. 1. To have autonomy means:
b. is extremely friendly. a. to have a great deal of wealth.
c. exists only in the imagination. b. to be independent, self-governing.
d. is bitter or resentful. c. to be very brave, courageous.
e. is enlightened. d. to have very strong opinions.
e. to have the ability to feel what others feel.
14. A vicarious action is one that:
a. is experienced through the life or action of another. 2. Empathy means:
b. enables a guilty person to be set free. a. doing good for others.
c. surrenders the rights of others. b. having a great love for others.
d. has a pleasing and lasting affect on others. c. being the same as everyone else.
e. is of great importance. d. identifying with another’s feelings.
e. being an overachiever, obsessed with success.
15. If there is amity between two nations, there is:
a. war.
3. A state of euphoria is:
b. equality. a. a state of happiness, bliss.
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c. bitterness.
b. a state of total control by an absolute ruler.
d. trading of blame. c. a state of self-denial.
e. friendship.
d. a state of timelessness, suspension.

e. a state of disbelief.
4. Something that is peripheral is:

a. central.
b. a matter of opinion.
c. dissecting, cutting in two.
d. secret, hidden.
e. on the outer edge or boundary.
5. A pseudonym is:
a. a false name.
b. a god or deity.
c. a harsh sound.
d. a long-lasting illness.
e. an excessively long and critical speech.
6. In a state of anarchy, there is:

a. great suffering.
b. a strong emphasis on education.
c. total lawlessness.
d. great respect for the individual.
e. the worship of only one god.
7. Something that is amorphous:

a. has no definite shape.
b. is unable to speak or communicate.
c. without love or compassion.
d. has no name.
e. has a strong resemblance to another.
8. A person who is dogmatic:

a. has a distorted sense of realty.
b. is unable to tolerate those who are different.
c. asserts his or her opinion in an absolute, arrogant manner.
d. has difficulty handling situations in which he or she must
lead others.
e. is secretive, shrouded in mystery.
9. A state of pandemonium is:

a. calm, quiet.
b. ruled by consensus.
c. all-encompassing, complete.
d. noisy and chaotic.
e. inspirational, generating hope.
10. Philanthropy is:

a. the love of humankind.
b. a tendency toward or preference for something.
c. a widespread rumor.
d. the use of force to rule or control others.
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e. the end of innocence after witnessing or experiencing evil.

THEME BASED LEARNING
There are a lot of techniques to learn vocabulary. One another technique is to segregate the words you wish to practice
based on different categories, themes or contexts they belong.
PERSONALITY AND ATTITUDE

adamant (!ad·a˘·ma˘nt) adj. 1. Unyielding to requests, appeals, or reason. 2. firm, inflexible.
The senator was adamant that no changes would be made to the defence budget.
apathetic (ap·a˘·!thet·ik) adj. feeling or showing a lack of interest, concern, or emotion; indifferent, unresponsive.
Mrs. Brownstone was distressed by how apathetic her eighth grade students were about world history.
ascetic (a˘·!set·ik) adj. practicing self-denial, not allowing oneself pleasures or luxuries; austere.
Some religions require their leaders to lead an ascetic lifestyle as an example to their followers.
audacious (aw·!day·shu˘s) adj. fearlessly or recklessly daring or bold; unrestrained by convention or propriety.
Detective Malloy’s methods were considered bold and audacious by his superiors, and they often achieved results.
complaisant (ko˘m·!play·sa˘nt) adj. tending to comply; obliging, willing to do what pleases others.
To preserve family peace and harmony, Lenny became very complaisant when his in-laws came to visit.
ebullient (i·!bul·ye˘nt) adj. bubbling over with enthusiasm, exuberant.
The ebullient children were waiting to stick their hands into the grab bag and pull out a toy.
facetious (fa˘·!see·shu˘s) adj. humorous and witty, cleverly amusing; jocular, sportive.
Mr. Weston’s facetious remarks always made people laugh.
flippant (!flip·a˘nt) adj. not showing proper seriousness; disrespectful, saucy.
Ursula’s flippant remarks in front of her fiancé’s parents were an embarrassment to us all.
impassive (im·!pas·iv) adj. not showing or feeling emotion or pain.
It was hard to know what she was feeling by looking at the impassive expression on her face.
imperious (im·!peer·i·u˘s) adj. overbearing, bossy, domineering.
Stella was relieved with her new job transfer because she would no longer be under the control of such an
imperious boss.
impetuous (im·!pech·oo·u˘s) adj. 1. characterized by sudden, forceful energy or emotion; impulsive, unduly hasty
and without thought. 2. marked by violent force.
It was an impetuous decision to run off to Las Vegas and get married after a one-week courtship.
insouciant (in·!soo·si·a˘nt) adj. unconcerned, carefree, indifferent.
Wendy’s insouciant attitude toward her future concerned her father, who expected her to go to college.
mettlesome (!met·e˘l·so˘m) adj. courageous, high-spirited.
Alice’s mettlesome attitude was infectious and inspired us all to press on. Note: Do not confuse with
meddlesome, meaning inclined to interfere.
morose (mo·!rohs) adj. gloomy, sullen; melancholy.
My daughter has been morose ever since our dog ran away.
nonchalant (non·sha˘·!lant) adj. indifferent or cool, not showing anxiety or excitement.
Franco tried to be nonchalant, but I could tell he was nervous.
officious (o˘·!fish·u˘s) adj. meddlesome, bossy; eagerly offering unnecessary or unwanted advice.
My officious Aunt Midge is coming to the party, so be prepared for lots of questions and advice.
peremptory (pe˘·!remp·to˘·ree) adj. 1. offensively self-assured, dictatorial. 2. commanding, imperative, not allowing
contradiction or refusal. 3. Putting an end to debate or action.
The mother’s peremptory tone ended the children’s bickering.
querulous (!kwer·u˘·lu˘s) adj. complaining, peevish; discontented.
He’s a picky and querulous old man, but I still love him.
sanctimonious (san"k·t!˘·!moh·nee·u˘s) adj. hypocritically pious or devout; excessively self-righteous.
The thief’s sanctimonious remark that “a fool and his money are soon parted” only made the jury more eager to
convict him.
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PRACTISE 2
For numbers 1–10, you will find sentences that describe a personality type or character trait. Read each sentence
carefully and choose the vocabulary word that best describes the person or character trait.
1. To please her boyfriend, Charlotte changed the way she dressed to a style that he preferred.
Charlotte is being
a. apathetic.
b. flippant.
c. complaisant.
d. impetuous.
2. Although he failed another exam, Ivan didn’t seem to care. Ivan is being
a. adamant.
b. apathetic.
c. querulous.
d. imperious.
3. “It’s my way or the highway!” said George. George is being

a. impassive.
b. facetious.
c. morose.
d. peremptory.
4. “My future mother-in-law continually gives me suggestions on planning my wedding. She even ordered the
flowers without consulting me first.” The mother-in-law is being
a. officious.
b. flippant.
c. ebullient.
d. complaisant.
5. When working at the scene of an accident, rescue workers often hide their emotions and maintain a
professional countenance. The rescue workers are being
a. audacious.
b. morose.
c. apathetic.
d. impassive.
6. Mistakenly believing his boss was speaking ill of him, Angelo burst through the door and yelled: “I quit!” to his
boss. Angelo was being
a. imperious.
b. ebullient.
c. impetuous.
d. querulous.
7. At the end of his life, the reclusive billionaire lived in a small apartment with a bed and a bible as his only
possessions, even though he could have had almost any luxury. The billionaire chose a lifestyle that was
a. insouciant.
b. morose.
c. ascetic.
d. facetious.
8. “Susan absolutely insisted that we come along; she wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Susan was being ---------
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a. adamant.
b. querulous.

c. peremptory.
d. audacious.
9. Raj was someone who, no matter how perfect the day, would always find something to complain about. Raj is
very
a. nonchalant.
b. vitriolic.
c. officious.
d. querulous.
10. “You fatuous boor! You’ve ruined my life! I never want to see you again!” This statement is
a. morose.
b. vitriolic.
c. insouciant.
d. apathetic.
ACTION VERBS
abstain (ab·!stayn) v. to choose to refrain from doing something, especially to refrain from voting.
I have decided to abstain from drinking alcohol.
ameliorate (a˘·!meel·yo˘·rayt) v. to make or become better; to improve.
The diplomat was able to ameliorate the tense situation between the two nations.
appease (a˘·!peez) v. to make calm or quiet, soothe; to still or pacify.
His ability to appease his constituents helped him become reelected.
apprise (a˘·!pr!¯z) v. to inform, give notice to.
Part of “usan’s job as a public defender was to apprise people of their legal rights.
appropriate (a˘·!proh·pree·ayt) v. to take for one’s own use, often without permission; to set aside for a special
purpose.
The state legislature will appropriate two million dollars from the annual budget to build a new bridge on the interstate
highway.
assay (a˘·!say) v. 1. to try, put to a test. 2. to examine. 3. to judge critically, evaluate after an analysis.
The chief engineer wanted a laboratory to assay the steel before using it in the construction project.
delineate (di·!lin·i·ayt) v. to draw or outline, sketch; to portray, depict, or describe.
The survey will clearly delineate where their property ends.
demur (di·!mur) v. to raise objections, hesitate.
Polly hated to demur, but she didn’t think adding ten cloves of garlic to the recipe was a good idea.
disconcert (dis·ko˘n·!surt) v. 1. to upset the composure of, ruffle. 2. to frustrate plans by throwing into disorder.
The arrival of her ex-husband and his new wife managed to disconcert the typically unflappable Miriam.
dissemble (di·!sem·be˘l) v. to disguise or conceal one’s true feelings or motives behind a false appearance.
Tom needed to dissemble his goal of taking his boss’s job by acting supportive of his boss’s planned job change.
dissuade (di·!swayd) v. to discourage from, or persuade against, a course of action.
I tried to dissuade them from painting their house purple, but they didn’t listen.
dither (!dith·e˘r) v. 1. to hesitate; to be indecisive and uncertain. 2. to shake or quiver.
During a crisis, it is important to have a leader who will not dither.
divulge (d!¯·!vulj) v. to disclose; to make something known that may have been private or secret.
The reporter refused to divulge her source.
evince (i·!vins) v. to show or demonstrate clearly; to make evident.
The algebra teacher tried to evince the complexity of the material to be covered on the midterm.
extenuate (iks·!ten·yoo·ayt) v. to reduce the strength or lessen the seriousness of something, an incident maybe, by
making partial excuses.
Fred claimed that extenuating circumstances forced him to commit forgery.
forswear (for·!swair) v. 1. to give up, renounce. 2. to deny under oath.
Natasha had to forswear her allegiance to her homeland in order to become a citizen of the new country.
28
impute (im·!pyoot) v. to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe; credit.

Doctors impute the reduction in cancer deaths to the nationwide decrease in cigarette smoking.
obfuscate (ob·!fus·kayt) v. 1. to make obscure or unclear; to muddle or make difficult to understand. 2. to dim or
darken.
Instead of clarifying the matter, Walter only obfuscated it further.
rescind (ri·!sind) v. to repeal or cancel; to void or annul.
They have rescinded their offer, so we must find another buyer.
PRACTISE 3
For numbers 1–10, read the following sentences carefully. Decide which answer best describes the italicized
vocabulary word in the prompt.
1. If you abstain from something,
you 6. If you appease someone, you
a. run from it. a. anger that person.
b.choose not to do it. b. annoy that person.
c. come from it. c. calm that person.
d. have an allergic reaction to it. d. please that person.
2.If you rescind an offer, you 7. If you delineate something, you

a. make the offer. a. divide it in two.
b. revise the offer. b. draw or describe it.
c. cancel the offer. c. reverse it.
d. increase the offer. d. count or mark it.
3.If you forswear eating chocolate, you 8.If you demur during a discussion, you--
a. stop eating chocolate. a. raise an objection.
b. love eating chocolate. b. make a good point.
c. depend on chocolate. c. make an embarrassing remark.
d. get sick if you eat chocolate. d. say something that insults someone.
4. If you disconcert someone, you 9. If you stymie someone’s plans, you

a. make that person late for something. a. copy those plans.
b. make that person happy. b. change those plans.
c. upset that person’s composure. c. cancel those plans.
d. recognize that person. d. obstruct those plans.
5. If you dissuade someone, you 10. If you assay something, you

a. discourage that person from doing something. a. buy it.
b. deceive that person. b. examine it.
c. reveal a secret to that person. c. declare it.
d. disappoint that person. d. borrow it.
DESCRIBING THINGS OR SITUATIONS

arcane (ahr·!kayn) adj. mysterious, secret, beyond comprehension.
A number of college students in the 1980s became involved in the arcane game known as “Dungeons and
Dragons.” blatant (!blay·tant) adj. completely obvious, not attempting to conceal in any way.
“amuel’s blatant disregard of the rules earned him a two-week suspension.
empirical (em·!pir·i·kal) adj. based on observation or experience rather than theory.
Frank’s empirical data suggested that mice would climb over the walls of the maze to get to the cheese rather
than navigate the maze itself.
endemic (en·!dem·ik) adj. 1. prevalent in or characteristic of a specific area or group of people. 2. native to a
particular region.
29
Kudzu, a hairy, purple flowered vine thought to be endemic to the southeastern United States, was actually
imported from Japan.

exigent (!ek·si·je˘nt) adj. 1. urgent, requiring immediate action or attention; critical. 2. requiring much effort
or precision, demanding.
The late-night call on Paul’s cell phone concerned matters of an exigent nature.
exorbitant (i"·!zor·bi·ta˘nt) adj. greatly exceeding the bounds of what is normal or reasonable; inordinate and excessive.
Three thousand dollars is an exorbitant amount of money to pay for a scarf.
expedient (ik·!spee·di·e˘nt) adj. 1. appropriate for a purpose, a suitable means to an end. 2. serving to promote
one’s own interests rather than principle.
A quick divorce was an expedient end to the couple’s two-month marriage.
fulsome (!fuul·so˘m) adj. offensive due to excessiveness, especially excess flattery or praise.
Her new coworker’s fulsome attention bothered Kathryn.
harrowing (!har·oh·in") adj. distressing, creating great stress or torment.
The turbulent flight proved to be a harrowing experience for Jane.
ineluctable (in·i·!luk·ta˘·be˘l) adj. certain, inevitable; not to be avoided or overcome.
The ineluctable outcome of the two-person race was that there would be one winner and one loser.
inveterate (in·!vet·e˘·rit) adj. habitual; deep rooted, firmly established.
I am an inveterate pacifist and unlikely to change my mind.
multifarious (mul·ti·!fair·i·u˘s) adj. occuring in great variety, diversified; having many aspects.
The job requires the ability to handle multifarious tasks.
pernicious (pe˘r·!nish·u˘s) adj. deadly, harmful; very destructive.
Nancy’s opponent started a pernicious rumor that destroyed her chances of winning.
plaintive (!playn·tiv) adj. expressing sorrow; mournful, melancholy.
Janice’s plaintive voice made me decide to stay and comfort her longer.
resonant (!rez·o˘·na˘nt) adj. echoing, resounding.
The new announcer at the stadium has a wonderfully resonant voice.
stringent (!strin·je˘nt) adj. very strict; according to very rigorous rules, requirements, or standards.
The stringent eligibility requirements greatly limited the number of candidates for the scholarship.
subliminal (sub·!lim·!˘·na˘l) adj. below the threshold of consciousness.
Subliminal advertising is devious but effective.
sundry (!sun·dree) adj. various, miscellaneous.
The sundry items in her backpack reveal a great deal about her personality.
trenchant (!tren·cha˘nt) adj. 1. penetrating, forceful; effective. 2. Extremely perceptive, incisive. 3. clear-cut, sharply
defined.
It was a trenchant argument, and it forced me to change my mind about the issue.
tumultuous (too·!mul·choo·u˘s) adj. 1. creating an uproar; disorderly, noisy. 2. a state of confusion, turbulence,
or agitation; tumult.
It was another tumultuous day for the stock market, and fluctuating prices wreaked havoc for investors.
PRACTISE 4
For numbers 1–20, choose the answer that best
completes the prompt.
3. People with inveterate beliefs
1. A multifarious task would
a. can be easily manipulated.
a. have many different components.
b. have adopted their beliefs from another.
b. have very few components.
c. hold their beliefs deeply and passionately.
c. be very complex.
d. change their beliefs frequently.
d. be impossible to complete.
4. A prosecutor’s trenchant closing statement would be
2. Plaintive cries would be
a. a very effective closing statement.
a. musical, soothing.
b. a very offensive closing statement.
b. plain, uninteresting.
c. a very weak closing statement.
c. loud, jarring.
d. a very confusing closing statement.
d. sorrowful, mournful.
30

8. A pernicious virus would be
5. A harrowing experience is a. acquired in the sub-Saharan desert.
a. mundane and boring. b. deadly and very destructive.
b. distressing and upsetting. c. contagious and easily transmitted.
c. sensual and romantic. d. mild and easily treated.
d. happy and joyful.
9. A blatant statement is
6. An item of clothing that is exorbitant in price is a. obvious.
a. extremely inexpensive.
b. secretive.
b. extremely expensive.
c. fabricated.
c. on sale.
d. loud.
d. a good value.
10. Empirical data is data that
7. An arcane organization is one that
a. has been acquired through a detailed
a. actively recruits new members. study of relevant text.
b. is very old and outdated. b. has been acquired from ancient empires.
c. is very secretive and mysterious. c. has been gathered through observation and/or
d. is located in a foreign land. experience.
d. has been proven false
RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY

apostate (a˘·!pos·tayt) n. one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions.
Disillusioned with the religious life due to recent scandals in the church, Reverend Gift lost his faith and left the ministry,
not caring if he’d be seen as an apostate by colleagues who chose to remain.
apotheosis (a˘·poth·i·!oh·sis) n. deification; an exalted or glorified ideal.
Lancelot was the apotheosis of chivalry until he met Guinivere.
blasphemy (!blas·fe˘·mee) n. contemptuous or irreverent acts, utterances, attitudes, or writings against God or other
things considered sacred; disrespect of something sacrosanct.
If you had committed blasphemy during the Inquisition, you would have been tortured and killed.
desecrate (!des·e˘·krayt) v. to violate the sacredness of, to profane.
Someone desecrated the local cemetery by spray-painting graffiti on tombstones.
dogma (!daw"·ma˘) n. a system of principles or beliefs; a prescribed doctrine.
Some find the dogma inherent in religion a comfort, whereas others find it too restrictive.
draconian (dray·!koh·ni·a˘n) adj. very harsh, extremely severe (especially of a law or punishment).
Students of international policy are often shocked by the draconian punishments used by other countries for seemingly
minor offences.
gargantuan ("ahr·!"an·choo·a˘n) adj. gigantic, huge.
It was a gargantuan supermarket for such a small town.
hallow (!hal·oh) v. to make holy, consecrate.
The religious leader proclaimed the new worship hall a hallowed space.
imprecation (im·pre˘·!kay·sho˘n) n. an invocation of evil, a curse.
In the book I’m reading, the gypsy queen levies an imprecation on the lead character.
infidel (!in·fi·de˘l) n. 1. a person with no religious beliefs. 2. a non-believer; one who does not accept a particular
religion, doctrine, or system of beliefs.
Because Tom had been raised with strict religious beliefs, it was no surprise that he was viewed as a heathen and an
infidel by his family when he refused to be married in the church.
lilliputian (lil·i·!pyoo·sha˘n) adj. 1. very small, tiny. 2. trivial or petty.
My troubles are lilliputian compared to hers, and I am thankful that I do not have such major issues in my life.
mercurial (me˘r·!kyoor·i·a˘l) adj. 1. liable to change moods suddenly. 2. lively, changeable, volatile.
Fiona is so mercurial that you never know what kind of reaction to expect.
31
narcissism (!narh·si·siz·e˘m) n. admiration or worship of oneself; excessive interest in one’s own personal features.
Some critics say that movie stars are guilty of narcissism.

occult (o˘·!kult) adj. 1. secret, hidden, concealed. 2. involving the realm of the supernatural. 3. beyond ordinary
understanding, incomprehensible.
The rights and beliefs of the occult organization were finally made a matter of public record after a long investigation.
omnipotent (om·!nip·o˘·te˘nt) adj. having unlimited or universal power or force.
In Greek mythology, Zeus was the most powerful god, but he was not omnipotent, since even his rule was often held in
check by the unchangeable laws of the Three Fates.
omniscient (om·!nish·e˘nt) adj. having infinite knowledge; knowing all things.
In a story with an omniscient narrator, we can hear the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters.
phoenix (!fee·niks) n. 1. a person or thing of unmatched beauty or excellence. 2. a person or thing that has become
renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation (after the mythological bird that periodically
immolated itself and rose from the ashes as a new phoenix).
The phoenix is often used to symbolize something that is indomitable or immortal.
protean (!proh·tee·a˘n) adj. taking many forms, changeable; variable, versatile.
In Native American mythology, the coyote is often called the “shape shifter” because he is such a protean character.
sacrilegious (sak·r!˘·!leej·u˘s) adj. disrespectful or irreverent towards something regarded as sacred.
Her book was criticized by the church for being sacrilegious.
PRACTISE 5
For questions 1–8, in Column A you will find brief descriptions of the stories or mythological characters that are the
source of the vocabulary words in Column B. Match each vocabulary word to its source.
Column A Column B
1. From Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, when Gulliver travels to the land inhabited by people only
draconian
six inches tall.
2. After the god in Greek mythology who had wings on his feet and moved very swiftly. gargantuan
3. After the character in Greek mythology who was in love with his own reflection. lilliputian
4. From a sixteenth-century tale by Francois Rabelais about the life of a giant. mercurial
5. After the mythological bird that periodically ignites itself and arises anew from the fire. narcissism
6. After the Greek god who had the power to change his shape at will. phoenix
7. After the chivalrous, romantic, idealistic knight created by the early seventeenth century
protean
Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes.
8. After the Athenian lawmaker who created a code of laws that punished people very severely even for
quixotic
minor offenses.
LOVE, HATE, WAR AND PEACE

abhor (ab·!hohr) v. to regard with horror, detest.
I abhor such hypocrisy!
aficionado (a˘·fish·yo˘·!nah·doh) n. a fan or devotee, especially of a sport or pastime.
The Jefferson’s attendance at every game proved that they were true aficionados of baseball.
altercation (awl·te˘r·!kay·sho˘n) n. a heated dispute or quarrel.
To prevent an altercation at social functions, one should avoid discussing politics and religion.
apocalypse (a˘·!pok·a˘·lips) n. a cataclysmic event bringing about total devastation or the end of the world.
Many people feared an apocalypse would immediately follow the development of nuclear weapons.
ardor (!ahr·do˘r) n. fiery intensity of feeling; passionate enthusiasm, zeal.
The ardor Larry brought to the campaign made him a natural campaign spokesperson.
bellicose (!bel·!˘·kohs) adj. belligerent, quarrelsome, eager to wage war.
32
There was little hope for peace following the election of a candidate known for his bellicose nature.
cabal (ka˘·!bal) n. 1. a scheme or conspiracy. 2. a small group joined in a secret plot.

With Antonio as their leader, the members of the unit readied themselves to begin the cabal.
contentious (ko˘n·!ten·shu˘s) adj. 1. quarrelsome, competitive, quick to fight. 2. controversial, causing contention.
With two contentious candidates on hand, it was sure to be a lively debate.
fervent (!fur·ve˘nt) adj. 1. having or showing great emotion; ardent, zealous 2. extremely hot, burning.
Norman had a fervent belief that aliens had already landed on earth.
fervor (!fur·vo˘r) n. zeal, ardor; intense emotion.
The fervor of the fans in the stands helped propel the team to victory.
incursion (in·!kur·zho˘n) n. a raid or temporary invasion of someone else’s territory; the act of entering or running into
a territory or domain.
There was an incursion on the western border of their country.
misanthrope (mis·!an·throhp) n. one who hates or distrusts humankind.
Pay no mind to his criticism; he’s a real misanthrope, and no one can do anything right in his eyes.
nemesis (!nem·e˘·sis) n. 1. source of harm or ruin; the cause of one’s misery or downfall; bane. 2. agent of retribution
or vengeance.
In Frankenstein, the monster that Victor creates becomes his nemesis.
odious (!oh·di·u˘s) adj. contemptible, hateful, detestable.
This is an odious policy that will only damage the environment more.
penchant (!pen·cha˘nt) n. a strong inclination or liking.
I have a real penchant for science fiction writing and spend hours reading my favorite authors every night.
pillage (!pil·ij) v. to forcibly rob of goods, especially in time of war; to plunder.
The barbarians pillaged the village before destroying it with fire.
placid (!plas·id) adj. calm and peaceful; free from disturbance or tumult.
Lake Placid is as calm and peaceful as its name suggests.
rancor (!ran"·ko˘r) n. a bitter feeling of ill will; long-lasting resentment.
Greg is full of rancor towards his brother, and this causes tension at family gatherings.
reprisal (ri·!pr!¯·za˘l) n. 1. an act of retaliation for an injury with the intent of inflicting at least as much harm in return. 2.
the practice of using political or military force without actually resorting to war.
The president promised a swift reprisal for the attack.
xenophobia (zen·o˘·!foh·bi·a˘) n. a strong dislike, distrust, or fear of foreigners.
Many atrocities have been committed because of xenophobia.
PRACTISE 6
For questions 1–10, read the sentences below carefully. Decide which vocabulary word best completes the sentence.
1. A person who owns dozens of Mozart CDs and repeatedly goes to performances of his music is a Mozart
a. penchant.
b. misanthrope.
c. fervor.
d. aficionado.
2. Something that is hateful or detestable is ____________

a. fervent.
b. full of ardor.
c. odious.
d. an aficionado.
3. A person who seems to dislike and distrust everyone ____________

a. suffers from xenophobia.
b. is a misanthrope.
c. is full of rancor.
d. is odious.
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4. A person’s passionate love for his or her spouse would be called ____________
a. ardor.
b. rancor.
c. xenophobia.
d. odious.
5. If you detest or despise something, you ____________

a. are fervent.
b. have a penchant for it.
c. are a misanthrope.
d. abhor it.
6. If you have a strong liking for something, you ____________

a. abhor it.
b. have a penchant for it.
c. feel rancor toward it.
d. are a misanthrope.
7. If you feel intense passion or zeal for something, you ____________

a. abhor it.
b. feel fervor.
c. feel rancor.
d. have a penchant for it.
8. A person who fears or dislikes foreigners ____________
a. suffers from xenophobia.

b. is an aficionado.
c. has a penchant for other countries.
d. feels ardor towards foreigners.
9. If you feel a great deal of resentment or ill will towards someone, you feel ____________
a. ardor.
b. odious.
c. rancor.
d. xenophobia.
10. A person who is intensely zealous and emotional about something ____________
a. is fervent about it.
b. feels rancor.
c. is odious.
d. abhors it.
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Tutorial 2
Vocabulary
1. Choose the correct option
1) What is the meaning of the word prefix?
a) a word within a word
b) a group of letters put before a root word which changes its meaning
c) a group of letters put at the end of a root word which changes its meaning
2) If you take away the prefix from disagree, the root word is agree.
a) True b) False
3) What do you do if you reread a book?

a) don't read it b) read it again c) read it for the first time
4) Which of the following is a suffix?

a) pre b) un c) ed
5) Which of the following is not a suffix?

a) ful b) ing c) re
6) What does the word tireless mean?

a) always feeling tired b) never feeling tired c) feeling less tired than someone else
7) Which of these words means 'not sure'?

a) undone b) uncertain c) dissure
8) If you take away the prefix and the suffix, what is left of the word 'unemployed'?
a) unemploy b) employed c) employ
9) What prefix would you add to the word 'finished' to show that there is still some work to be done?
a) un b) dis c) mis
10) What prefix would you add to the word 'view' to indicate that you see something before other people do?
a) re b) pre c) dis
11) What suffix would you add to the word 'blame' to show you have done nothing wrong?
a) ness b) less c) ed
12) Which two suffixes have the same meaning?

a) ful and less b) less and ness c) s and es
13) Which of these words cannot be made into another word by adding the prefix 'sub'?
a) way b) marine c) book
14) Which of these prefixes means below?

a) under b) pre c) over
15) Which of the following words cannot use the suffix -ful?
a) color- b) doubt- c) hope- d) value-
16) Which of the following cannot use the suffix -ive?

35
a) conclus- b) decis- c) reveal- d) reduct-

17) Which of the following cannot use the suffix -ure?
a) clos- b) depart- c) fiss- e) polit-
18) Which of the following cannot use the suffix -ance?

a) vigil- b) brief- c) deliver- d) repent-
19) The prefix meaning away from is:

a) ante- b) anti- c) apo- d) ab-
20)The prefix meaning up is:
a) ana- b) apo- c) sub- d) post-
21) The prefix meaning against is:

a) contra- b) dia- c) ex- d) peri-
22) The prefix meaning outside is:

a) ecto- b) hypo- c) peri- d) infra-
23)The prefix meaning external is:
a) exo- b) intra- c) endo- d) post-
24) The prefix meaning within is:

a) supra- b) meta- c) intra- d) inter-
25) The prefix meaning through is:

a) dia- b) ex- c) peri- d) auto-
26) The prefix meaning outside of is:

a) meta- b) para- c) extra- d) meta-
27) The prefix meaning many is:

a) poly- b) mega- c) mono- d) post-
28) The prefix meaning below normal is:

a) hyper- b) pre- c) mesd. d) hypo-
29) The prefix meaning positioned beneath is:

a) supra- b) infra- c) inter- d) re-
30) The prefix meaning both is:

a) co- b) ambi- c) dia- d) ana-
31) The suffix meaning an instrument is:

a) –graphy b) –metry c) –logy d)-scope
32) The suffix meaning expansion is:

a) -ecstasis b)-algia c) –malacia d)-phagy
33) The suffix meaning fear is:

a) –algia b) -pheresis c) –phobia d)-philia
36

2. i) Add the correct prefix to the front of each base word to make a new word.
1) dis- , non- , un-
i) honest ii) stop iii) ripe iv) pleasant
ii) ___________ ii) ____________ iii) ___________ iv) ____________
ii) Add the correct suffix to make a new word.
1) -able , -ment , -ness

i) Depend ii) amaze iii) manage iv) soft
i) _________ ii) ___________ iii)_________ iv) __________
3. Circle the most likely meaning of the word part that is shared within each set of words.
1. circulate, circumnavigate, circuit
The root circ / circum probably means
a. around b. broken c. fair d. straight
2. innovative, novel, renovate
The root nov probably means
a. clear b. old c. new d. sweet
3. installation, implement, imprison
The prefix in-/im- probably means
a. aside b. behind c. in d. out
4. animism, animal, animation
The root anima probably means
a. color b. death c. many d. life
5. atheistic, amoral, apathetic
The prefix a probably means
a. not b. loving c. excessive d. surely
4. Change each word in column A to an adjective by adding a suffix and write the new word in column B.
A B A B
1. Portugal Portuguese 11. Child
2. misery miserable 12. Burma
3. awe 13. Consider
4. move 14. count
5. China 15. Congo
6. remark 16. master

37

7. Canton 17. speech
8. service 18. wish
9. penny 19. End
10. grate 20. bounty
5. Match the prefixes on the left with their meaning(s) on the right. Two of these prefixes have one
meaning (although used in different ways).
Prefixes Meaning
• auto- (a) After or later than.

• bi- (b) Between.
• circum- (c) Exactly half / partly but not completely.
• co- (d) Across / changing / between
• inter- (e) Together / sharing.
• micro- (f) Single / one.
• mono- (g) Before.
• post- (h) One small part of a larger thing / below another thing/ smaller or less
• pre- important than another thing.
• semi- (i) Two / twice / double
• sub- (j) Around.
• tele (k) Of or by yourself / working by itself.
• trans- (l) Extremely small.
• uni- (m) At or over a long distance.
6. Use the prefixes from the left-hand column above, and the base words / roots from the box below, to form
words that can complete definitions 1 – 28. One definition can be completed with two words (using the same
prefix).
1. A / an student is a student who is studying after receiving an advanced degree such as an

M.A. or Ph.D.
2. A / an voice or sound is boring and unpleasant because it does not change its loudness or become higher
or lower.
3. Something that is is the same everywhere you find it.
4. When you something, you change spoken or written words into another language.
5. A / an is one of two games, such as football, that are played immediately before the last game in a
sports competition.
6. A / an is a short break in the middle of a play, film, concert, etc.
7. is a situation in which people or things combine well to form a unit.
8. A is a meeting held among people who are in different places, using an electronic
communication system such as a computer.
9. An event that is happens twice every year.
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10. An event that is happens once every two years.
11. A / an is the distance measured around the edge of a circle, or the edge of a circle or a
round object / area.
12. A / an is a book about your life that you write yourself.
13. If you something, you decide that it will not be done at the time it was planned, but at a later
time.
14. If someone finds a way of avoiding a rule or law that limits them, especially by using a clever trick that does
not break the law, we can say that they it.
15. A / an is a piece of equipment for looking at things that are too small to see normally.
16. Something that is is very special, unusual, or good, or is not the same as anything or anyone
else.
17. If something happens too soon or before its usual time, we can say that it is .
18. Something that is is not as good as you would normally expect, or not good enough to be
accepted.
19. If two people live together in a physical relationship but are not married, we say that they
.
20. A / an is a living thing that is so small you cannot see without special equipment (such as that
in 15 above).
21. If something , it changes into something completely different.
22. A company that has complete control of the product or service it provides because it is the only company that
provides it can be said to be, or have, a / an .
23. If something is , it happens or develops in a particular way because of things that have
existed, happened, or been decided before.
24. Someone who is is able to speak two languages very well.
25. If a country, state, region, organization, etc., has , it is independent and has the power to
govern itself.
26. Something that is exists, happens or stays somewhere for a short period of time only.
27. If a person is , he or she has less power or authority than someone else.
28. A / an stone is one that is used in jewelry and is fairly valuable, but not as valuable as other
stones such as diamonds or rubies.
PERSONALITY AND ATTITUDE

7. Confidence
A person who has TOO much confidence in themselves, and who considers themselves superior to others,
is 1 – and someone who cares too much about their appearance is . The opposite of
arrogant is 3 – someone who is 4 and who does not call attention to their own
greatness. People’s confidence affects the way they make decisions. Someone who is 5
makes strong, firm decisions and is confident in their choices. The opposite is an 6 or 7
person – someone who feels 8 -(not confident) and has difficulty making final
decisions, or who constantly goes back and forth from one option to another without committing. An 9
person may also be rather sensitive (meaning their feelings are easily hurt).
8. You will find sentences describing a personality trait or attitude followed by a fill in the blank exercise. Read
each sentence carefully and choose the vocabulary word from the list below that best completes the second
sentence. Write the correct answer in the blank.
Audacious, ebullient, facetious, flippant, imperious, insouciant, mettlesome, morose, nonchalant, sanctimonious
1. Even after the rain began, Latisha continued to push forward and finish the marathon. Latisha is a
person.
39
2. Though the hurricane was approaching, the surfers thought it would be a great time to go surfing
regardless of the risk. The surfers are being .
3. When friends came to play, Rachel would only let them play the games she selected; she even dictated where
her friends would sit and what they could eat. Rachel is being .
4. At work, Tom boasted that he and his family never missed church on Sunday mornings; he did not mention that
they always left services without saying hello to any of their friends or neighbors. Tom’s boastful statements are
.
5. Having already won two awards, the movie director coolly and calmly walked up to the podium to collect his
third award of the evening. The director’s manner is very .
6. Chang has been sulking in her room after learning she wasn’t accepted by the college of her choice. She is even
saying that she may not go to college at all. Chang is feeling .
7. Tom shocked the jurors when he stuck his tongue out at the judge during the court proceedings. Tom is being
toward the judge.
8. Reynaldo was a popular guest at dinner parties because of his ability to turn a phrase and to make funny, witty
remarks. Reynaldo is very .
9. Though she was only an office assistant, Adele marched boldly into the vice president’s office and calmly told
him she would someday be his boss. Adele is being .
10. The teenage girls were jumping up and down in the aisles as their favorite band took the stage. The girls are
acting in a(n) manner.
9. Identify the meaning of the words underlined, write the meaning and frame the same in sentences of your
own.
1. After his girlfriend left him, Johnson was despondent and wouldn’t talk to anyone.
Meaning
Sentence
2. I was caught in a dilemma between traveling by airplane and taking a train, which is slower but more
comfortable.
Meaning
Sentence
3. Something about his flippant answer made her think he would be a master at verbal fencing.
Meaning
Sentence
4. My antipathy toward telemarketers is so strong that I am often rude to them.
Meaning
Sentence
5. The teacher lost his job because he cruelly berated students who made mistakes.
Meaning
40
Sentence
6. We forbade ourselves to even discuss our impetuous actions for fear of disturbing Howie so all we could do is
cross our fingers and pray.
Meaning
Sentence
7. His avidity was insatiable and he could brook no opposition; but, unlike his father, he was morose, silent and
unsympathetic
Meaning
Sentence
8. My obnoxious neighbor keeps talking to me while I’m trying to read in my backyard.
Meaning
Sentence
9. Cadbury’s beard and tattoos stigmatized him as a bad match for Wall Street, so he couldn’t find work as a
financial analyst.
Meaning
Sentence
10. When a piece of art evokes beauty and tranquility, it is an example of art that has a pleasing esthetic.
Meaning
Sentence
11. Because of the sparkle in his eye and his confident style, John F. Kennedy was a charismatic leader.
Meaning
Sentence
12. Your college studies will go on too long if you make capricious jumps from one major to another.
Meaning
Sentence
Action verbs
10. Write the best word verb to each definition. Use each word only once.
abandon fortify evade assimilate

ascertain intensify persist
augment unleash aggravate impoverish divulge
apprehend invoke
plunge
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To make a person or group poor

To go down suddenly
To capture
To make sure of
To make bigger or better
To continue to exist
To strengthen
To increase in power
To disclose
To consume and incorporate
To leave; to give up
To release a thing or an emotion
To make worse
To get away from something that tries to catch you _
To call on for support
11. Read the sentences below carefully. Decide which vocabulary word best matches the action described in the
sentence.
1. Tammy drastically improved the situation.
a. evince b. demur c. ameliorate d. rescind
2. Ryan hid his plans to steal Jason’s girlfriend behind a mask of false friendship.
a. obfuscate b. appropriate c. dissemble d. disconcert
3. Ian attributed the rent increase to the new sports complex downtown.
a. impute b. ameliorate c. extenuate d. divulge
4. Darlene’s lack of serious injury made the benefits of using a seatbelt very clear.
a. apprise b. evince c. dissuade d. dither
5. Carson’s problems at home made his boss overlook his sloppy work.
a. appropriate b. divulge c. rescind d. extenuate
6. The general informed the president of the latest events.
a. obfuscate b. apprise c. ameliorate d. impute
7. The funds were put aside to build a computer laboratory for the students.
a. dither b. abstain c. appropriate d. evince
8. Casey’s version of the story only made it even more unclear how the accident happened.
a. obfuscate b. extenuate c. stymie d. dissemble

9. Carmella told the entire office about the boss’s scandalous affair.
a. dissuade b. divulge c. apprise d. appease

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10. Dina wasn’t sure which class to register for and caused a delay for others waiting in line.
a. abstain b. divulge c. obfuscate d. dither
Describing things and situations
12. Look at sentences 1 – 14 and choose a word from the box that has a similar meaning to the words and
expressions in the sentences.
1. His instructions were very brief and clear.
2. Here's an imaginary situation: you are in the desert and you run out of water.
3. Latin is considered by many to be an outdated language, despite the fact that many words from the
language are still in use today.
4. From a financial point of view it was a very dangerous plan.
5. There are plenty of opportunities for promotion if you are prepared to work hard.
6. The conference was really disorganized and a complete waste of time.
7. His lectures are boring and I never seem to learn anything useful or interesting.
8. It was obvious that the President had been told what to say by his advisers.
9. Uncontrolled corruption and abuse of power by officials eventually prompted new anti-corruption laws.
10. The setting of the scene in chapter one of the book is essential to the plot.
11. He gained a reputation as an honest and fair dealer, and therefore won the respect of his customers.
12. He was a determined man who believed in fighting for his principles at any cost.
13. She was a serious, hardworking student who achieved excellent grades.
14. The story seemed believable at first, but a bit of research revealed some startling irregularities.
13. Choose the answer that best completes the prompt.
1. “Corn is endemic to South America” means
a. corn was introduced to South America by European settlers. b. corn is a native plant of South
America.
c. corn caused an epidemic in South America. d. corn is imported into South America.
2. If a boarding school has stringent rules, the rules will be
a. contemporary and forward thinking. b. outdated and antiquated.

43
c. loose and liberal. d. strict and rigorous.

3. An ineluctable consequence
a. cannot be avoided. b. is not desirable.
c. would not be anticipated. d. can be avoided.
4. A subliminal message
a. is easy to identify. b. originates from another country.
c. is received at the subconscious level. d. is written in secret code.
5. A resonant sound
a. echoes through a space. b. is harsh and piercing.
c. is soft and delicate. d. cannot be heard by humans.
6. An expedient resolution is
a. slow and cumbersome. b. inappropriate for the situation.
c. quick and fast-acting. d. appropriate for the situation.
7. An exigent medical condition would
a. affect the extremities. b. be slow to develop.
c. be commonplace and of little concern. d. require immediate attention.
8. Stores that sell sundry items
a. sell items appropriate for long journeys in the sun.

b. b. sell items expressly for farming and ranching.
c. sell an array of miscellaneous items.
d. sell only food-stuffs.
9. If your boss believes you to be fulsome, you are probably
a. offending your boss by offering him or her excessive praise.

b. irritating your boss by being lazy and uncooperative.
c. pleasing your boss by being an exemplary employee.
d. inspiring your boss by being courageous and bold.
10. A tumultuous crowd at a sporting event would be
a. very rowdy and disorderly. b. very respectful and honorable.
c. very quiet and indifferent. d. very loyal and dedicated.

44
14. From the list below, choose one word which could be used in place of the word shown in bold without
changing the meaning of the sentence.
ascribed assent proclaimed sustain Upsurge emancipate embrace allude testify

inconsistent interrelate outcome saturate alleged vague Discern Litigation
1. The minister resigned because many people felt that his behaviour was at variance with his role in public life.
2. The clear increase in skin cancer has been attributed to the fact that more people now take holidays in hot
countries.
3. The new law course attempts to cover all aspects of international law.
4. Some people argue that robots in the home will liberate us from having to do the housework in the not too distant
future.
5. The independence of the United States of America was announced in 1776.
6. The witness was so nervous that he refused to give evidence when the case came to court.
7. In Britain, the Queen must give her agreement to a new law before it can come into force.
8. Despite the efforts of the doctors, it was not possible to notice any real improvement in the condition of the
patient.
9. In the course of a trial, lawyers are forbidden to mention or even refer to any previous criminal activity the
accused may have been responsible for in the past.
10. A recent survey has found that most people have only an uncertain understanding of how and why we study
theoretical science.
11. Some students will stay up all night to finish their work, but it is impossible to maintain this for very long and so
it is not recommended.
12. The prisoner claimed that he had been attacked by the police, but there was no evidence to prove this.
13. When the interest in the company declined, the value of its shares began to fall.
14. A number of universities are worried about legal action in the law courts by students who are dissatisfied with
their courses.
15. During the last twenty-five years, there has been a significant increase in the number of overseas
students in British universities.
RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY
15. Definitions and Samples: Write the meaning of the words and use them in sentences of your own.
• Agnostic
Meaning
Sentence
45
• Sacrificially

Meaning
Sentence
• Atheist
Meaning
Sentence
• Deify
Meaning
Sentence _
• Pious
Meaning
Sentence
• Omniscient
Meaning
Sentence
• Hallow
Meaning
Sentence
• Narcissism
Meaning
Sentence
• Infidel
Meaning
Sentence
• Phoenix
Meaning
Sentence
46

LOVE, HATE, WAR AND PEACE
16. For questions 1–10, read the sentences below carefully. Decide which vocabulary word best
completes the sentence.
1. A person who owns dozens of Mozart CDs and repeatedly goes to performances of his music is a Mozart ___________
a. penchant. b. misanthrope. c. fervor. d. aficionado.
2. Something that is hateful or detestable is

a. fervent. b. full of ardor. c. odious. d. an aficionado.
3. A person who seems to dislike and distrust everyone _

a. suffers from xenophobia. b. is a misanthrope. c. is full of rancor. d. is odious.
4. A person’s passionate love for his or her spouse would be called

a. ardor. b. rancor. c. xenophobia. d. odious.
5. If you detest or despise something, you

a. are fervent. b. have a penchant for it. c. are a misanthrope. d. abhor it.
6. If you have a strong liking for something, you

a. abhor it. b. have a penchant for it. c. feel rancor toward it.
d. are a misanthrope.
7. If you feel intense passion or zeal for something, you

a. abhor it. b. feel fervor. c. feel rancor.
d. have a penchant for it.
8. A person who fears or dislikes foreigners

a. suffers from xenophobia. b. is an aficionado.
c. has a penchant for other countries. d. feels ardor towards foreigners.
9. If you feel a great deal of resentment or ill will towards someone, you feel
a. ardor. b. odious. c. rancor. d. xenophobia.
10. A person who is intensely zealous and emotional about something

a. is fervent about it. b. feels rancor. c. is odious. d. abhors it.
17. For questions 11–20, read the following sentences carefully. Decide which answer best describes the
vocabulary word in the prompt.
11. If you were involved in an altercation, you
a. had an accident. b. had a heated argument.

c. served in a war. d. were part of a conspiracy.
12. If you are a contentious person, you

a. are usually right. b. believe in “an eye for an eye.”
c. always try to keep the peace. d. are very competitive and quarrelsome.
13. If you are part of a cabal, you

a. are involved in a secret plot. b. are participating in a protest.
47
c. belong to the majority d. are fighting against the enemy.

14. If you are a bellicose leader, you
a. do everything in your power to avoid war. b. are eager to wage war.
c. remain neutral during international conflicts. d. treat all citizens equally.
15. If an apocalypse is near, you can expect

a. a period of extended peace. b. a time of anarchy.
c. total devastation and destruction. d. an invasion.
16. If your country suffers an incursion, your territory

a. has been invaded. b. is in a depression.
c. has seceded to form a new state. d. has had a natural disaster.
17. If you meet your nemesis, you meet

a. the leader of your country. b. your guardian angel.
c. the cause of your misfortunes. d. the person who decides your fate.
18. If you pillage a village, you

a. set it on fire. b. destroy it with bombs.
c. negotiate peace between warring tribes. d. ransack it and steal as much as you can.
19. If you are a placid person, you

a. are usually calm and peaceful. b. are always trying to pick a fight.
c. are disloyal. d. are not to be trusted.
20. If you plan a reprisal, you

a. plan to surrender. b. plan to retaliate.
c. hope to negotiate a cease-fire. d. plan to desert the army.
18. Answer the following questions
1. Cody’s lip was trembling as he waited for the nurse to stitch up the cut on his arm. What is happening to Cody’s
lip?
a) It is shaking. b) It is dry. c) It is bleeding. d) It is cracked.
2. Mark is nibbling on a cookie. What is he doing?

a) He is taking big bites of the cookie. b) He is baking cookies.
c) He is taking small bites of the cookie. d) He is licking the cream off the cookie.
3. If you crumple up your shirt, what will happen to it?

a) it will be clean the next day. b) it will be hanging in your closet.
c) it will have a rip in it. d) it will be wrinkled
4. Which is the most fragile?

a) an apple b) an eggshell c) a can of soda d) a brick
5. Who would be most likely to wear peculiar clothing?

a) a basketball player b) a clown c) a police officer d) a doctor
6. Who would most likely live the most solitary life?

a) a hermit b) a police officer c) a factory worker d) a movie star
7. Which of these is a way in which someone is usually compensated?

a) an umbrella b) a paycheck c) the flu d) an excuse
48

8. Aaryan is very cordial. He is very
a) quiet b) talented c) necessary for life d) friendly
9. Which of the following is the most rigorous?

a) 20 minutes of free time b) two hours of free time
c) an hour of homework d) training of a NCC cadet
10. When it came to dancing, Jae was reluctant. She was

a) an expert b) an amateur
c) always the first one on the floor d) not willing to jump right in
11. Which of the following is a genre?

a) New York b) rain c) science-fiction d) a waiter
12. Where are you most likely to dwell?

a) at a bank b) across the ocean c) in a church d) in a house
13. Which of the following is most tangible?

a) racism b) loud music c) the love a father has for his son d) paper
14. Tarrell anticipated the concert. He

a) avoided it b) loved it c) passed out flyers d) looked forward to it
15. Which of the following demonstrates the meaning of salvage?

a) A diver who rescues a boat from the ocean floor
b) A kid who wins a medal for skateboarding at the X-Games
c) A plane that can fly through enemy territory undetected
d) A crowd that cannot be controlled
16. The mad scientist put a human brain into a robust body. The body is
a) smart b) strong c) beautiful d) admired
17. Which event would most likely be considered dismal?

a) a wedding b) a climb up a mountain that gets harder and harder
c) the death of a pet d) a trip in a submarine that goes deep under the sea
18. An anonymous gift would

a) come from an unknown person b) be unwanted c) be worth a lot of money d) be just what
you wanted
19. Cleo was gratified to hear the news, so she

a) rolled her eyes and made a joke b) started crying
c) smiled and sat back in her chair d) was locked in jail for her crime
20. Which of these events would occur in an abrupt way?

a) a date at the movies b) a babysitting job
c) a political campaign d) a car crash
21. What type of movie is usually gruesome?

a) romantic movies b) comedies c) horror movies d) children’s movies
22. Which of these events would be considered a catastrophe?

a) a school dance b) a nuclear war c) an exciting football game d) a light rainstorm
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19. Identify the pairs are either similar or opposite to each other
abandon – leave able – incompetent
earmark - label abrupt - expansive
accustomed - routine active - dormant
baggy - ill-fitting elegant - unrefined
enormous - diminutive bicker - argue
dismal - bright bitter - acrid
broad-minded - prejudiced childish - infantile
collaspe - fall apart cynical - believing
combat - battle crisis - dilemma

crucial - trivial envious - resentful
evade - confront fatal - deadly
incredible - astounding hospitable - hostile
crude - refined doomed - condemned
grumble - complain gigantic - puny
20. Fill in the blanks from the words given
Agnostic simulations triggered expeditiously anticipate phantom

contemplate catastrophic permeated
Anomaly tangible paradigm
• By placing sensors in earthquake-prone areas, scientists can some tremors in time

to warn the public.
• The architect died in a elevator accident.
• His devoutly Christian parents had problems with his beliefs.
• Using carrier pigeons, the military commanders exchanged messages .
• The usual for economic growth in developed countries does not apply to some
poor nations.
• To test car safety, automobile makers study crash .
• The smell of cooking the entire apartment building.
• One benefit of putting electrical cables underground is a clearer view of the

50
sky.
• Many visitors reported seeing a that appeared around the lake.

• A cigarette the explosion.
• White tigers get their beautiful coloring from a genetic .
• If you each step for so long, we will never complete this project on time.
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UNIT 3
LECTURE 5
Précis Writing
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PRÉCIS WRITNG
What is précis writing?
A précis is a summary. Précis-Writing is a very useful exercise. The word précis is derived from French that means
summary and précis writing means the art of summarizing. Précis writing is one of the most useful skills you can acquire
for your work both as a student and as a professional. Précis writing involves summarizing a document to extract the
maximum amount of information, then conveying this information to a reader in minimum words.
Most of us read carelessly. Writing précis gives training in careful reading. Précis -writing is regarded as a very important
kind of composition because it develops one's capacity to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential.
A précis is a shortening, in your own words, of a text of written work. You are to describe as accurately and briefly as
possible the substance or main ideas contained in a text.
To write an effective précis, read the passage several times for a full understanding. Note key points. It may, in fact, be
helpful to underline these words. Do not use abbreviations or contractions. When writing about history, use the past
tense.
Finally, check your précis against the original to be sure that it is exact and retains the order, proportions, and
relationships of the original.
Definition: A précis is a clear, compact logical summary of a passage. It preserves only the essential or important ideas
of the original.
ACCORDING TO OXFORD DICTIONARY
“It is a short version of a speech or a piece of writing that gives the main points of ideas.”
ACCORDING TO CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY

“Précis is a short form of the text which briefly gives only the important parts.”
Qualities of a good précis
1. Clarity
Clarity implies, getting your message across so that the receiver can understand what the writer is trying to convey. It
is the basic and essential need of a précis. The ideas should be clear and understandable. There should not be any
ambiguity in your writing. The writer can achieve clarity by using simple language and simple structure. If your précis is
not understandable to the reader it will lose its importance and meaning from the reader’s perspective.
2. Correctness
Mistakes in your writings always irritate the reader. Of course mistakes are never intentional; however there is no
excuse. At the time of writing or composing a précis, the writer must ensure that the facts and figures are correct.
Structure of sentences and spellings of words must be correct because a single mistake in structure or spelling may spoil
the message. Avoid the following mistakes:
Misspelled words
Mistakes in figures and dates
Mistakes in punctuation
Mistakes of grammar and structure
Objectivity
Objectivity is the ability to present or view facts without bias and prejudice. While writing the précis of a text, the writer
should adopt an objective approach. He/ She should not give or add his/ her personal opinions and ideas in a précis. A
précis should be purely a summary of the original text without missing the so called objective or original intent.
4. Coherence
Coherence refers to the logical and clear interconnection of ideas. Any piece of information ought to be coherent and
a précis is no exception. The ideas which are presented in a précis must have a logical connection without disrupting
the given correlation. A well-knit summary of the original text is another requisite in précis writing.
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5. Completeness

Another striking feature of a good précis is its completeness. A précis should be complete in all respects. Completeness
means that the writer should include all the important facts in a précis. Though omitting data from the original text is
an important skill while creating a précis of the same, choosing what to omit is vital. Only those points that are
considered redundant, impertinent and imprecise are to be chosen for omission. It not, meaning of the précis could get
tampered.
6. Conciseness
Conciseness is synonymous to précis. Conciseness in précis writing refers to the inclusion of only those points that need
to be included, nothing more or nothing less. A concise piece of work conveys the message in the fewest possible words.
But one point must be kept in mind that the writer should not omit some basic and essential facts to achieve
conciseness. To be concise -
Omit unnecessary details
Eliminate wordy expressions
Include only relevant material
Avoid unnecessary repetition
Rules to follow
A well written précis should be a serviceable substitute for the original work. The goal of a précis is to preserve the core
essence of the work in a manner that is both clear and concise. Adhere to the points given below for writing an effective
précis:
Read Carefully
First read the passage twice or thrice carefully to summarize it. This will enable you to understand the main
theme of the passage.
Underline (In case of reading from the hard copy)
Underline and mark the important ideas and essential points from the original text; pick out distinct data from
the passage otherwise.
Outline
With the help of the identified important ideas, draw the outline of your précis.
Omit
Omit all the unnecessary information and substitute long phrases with apt vocabulary. Redundant adjectives
and unnecessary adverbs can also be omitted.
Don’t Omit
Never omit the important points and ideas which are essential to be described.
Size
Keep the fact in your mind that the length of the précis should be not more than one third of that of the
original passage.
Indirect Speech
A précis should be written in reported speech. If there is direct speech in the passage, it should be changed into
indirect speech.
Tense and Person
It should be written in the third person and past tense. In the case of universal truth present tense to be retained.
Own Words
A précis should be written in your own words and the writer should abstain from repeating words from the
original passage.
Précis of a Dialogue
The précis of a dialogue or conversation should always be expressed in the narrative form.
Objective Approach
Adopt an objective approach. Do not add your personal ideas to a précis. Collate all the important points and ideas
in a logical order.
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One Paragraph
There could be two or more paragraphs in the original text. While making the précis, try to write all the ideas in
one paragraph.
Rough Draft
After omitting all the unnecessary ideas, prepare a rough draft to finalize it.
Final Draft
Having read the rough draft and pointed out some mistakes which may be found in the rough draft, prepare the
final draft.
PRACTICE 1
(a) Read the following passage and answer the question given at the end:
A life of action and danger moderates the dread of death. It not only gives us fortitude to bear pain, but teaches us at
every step the precarious tenure on which we hold our present being. Sedentary and studious men are the most
apprehensive on this score. Dr. Johnson was an instance in point. A few years seemed to him soon over, compared with
those sweeping contemplations on time and infinity with which he had been used to pose himself. In the still life of a
man of letters there was no obvious reason for a change. He might sit in an arm chair and pour out cups of tea to all
eternity would it had been possible for him to do so. The most rational cure after all for the inordinate fear of death is
to set a just value on life. If we mere wish to continue on the scene to indulge our head-strong humour and tormenting
passions, we had better be gone at once,; and if we only cherish a fondness for existence according to the good we
desire from it, the pang we feel at parting which it will not be very server.
Questions to be asked in order to write a perfect précis:
Suggest a suitable title for the passage.
What type of people are afraid of death and why?
How can we get rid of the fear of death?
What idea do you form about Dr. Johnson from this passage?
Explain the meanings of the words written in bold types.
Formulate a précis of the passage.
Précis (a)
(b) Rewrite the following passage precisely into 1/3rd of its size with a suitable title
It is physically impossible for a well-educated or brave man to make money the chief object of his thoughts, just as it is
for him to make his dinner the principal object of them. All healthy people like their dinners, but their dinner is not the
main object of their lives. So all healthy minded people like making money—ought to like it and enjoy the sensation of
winning it; it is something better than money. A good soldier, for instance, mainly wishes to do his fighting well. He is
glad of his pay—very properly so, and justly grumbles when you keep him ten years without it—still his main notion of
life is to win battles, not to be paid for winning them. So of clergyman’s object is essentially to baptize and preach, not
to be paid for preaching. So of doctors. They like fees no doubt, -- out to like them; yet if they are b rave and well
educated, the entire object of their lives is a not fee. They, on the whole, desire to cure the sick, and, if they are good
doctors, and the choice were fairly put to them, would rather cure their patient and lose their fee than kill him and get
it. And so with all the other brave and rightly trained men; their work is first, their fee second – very important always,
but still second.
Précis (b)
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(c) Rewrite the following passage precisely into 1/3rd of its size
The use of leaded gasoline in vehicles designed for unleaded gasoline can increase tailpipe emissions 200 to 800
percent, EPA has determined. More than 1 million tons of hydrocarbons and 12 million tons of carbon monoxide were
spewed from the tailpipes of cars with defective emission control systems during fiscal year 1983.
Studies show that most people who engage in fuel switching do so to save money—about 7 cents a gallon. However,
these people are victims of faulty economics, according to Joe Cannon, EPA’s assistant administrator for Air and
Aviation. “In the long run, the use of leaded gas in the car will more quickly foul the spark plugs, wear out the exhaust
system, degrade the oil, and foul the oxygen sensor in new cars, in addition to ruining the catalytic converter,” he said.
Cannon estimates that people who substitute leaded for unleaded gasoline will end up paying 12 cents a gallon in extra
maintenance and repairs.
Précis (c)
(d) Rewrite the following passage precisely into 1/3rd of its size
The Clean Air Act of 1970, amended in 1977 and 1981, is one of the basic laws under which EPA operates. Its purpose
is “to protect and enhance the quality of the nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health and welfare and
the productive capacity of its population.”
In order to do that, Congress authorized a national research and development program to prevent and control air
pollution. The act also provided for EPA to assist state and local governments in the development and execution of their
air quality programs.
The Clear Air Act required EPA to set national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for certain air
pollutants. The law also required emission standards for mobile sources of air pollution (vehicles), and for new
stationary sources such as smokestacks. In addition, the act called for regulation of hazardous air pollutants for which
no ambient air quality standard is applicable.
Another section of the law was designed to protect air quality in national parks, wilderness areas, monuments,
seashores, and other areas of special national or regional natural, recreational, scenic, or historic value, and to prevent
significant deterioration of air quality in those areas.
Précis (d)
(e) Rewrite the following passage precisely into 1/3rd of its size
The food habits of birds make them especially valuable to agriculture. Because birds have higher body temperatures,
more rapid digestion, and greater energy than most other animals, they require more food. Nestling birds make
extremely rapid growth, requiring huge amounts of food. They usually consume as much or more than their own
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weight in soft-bodied insects every day. Young robins have been observed to gain eight times their original weight the
first eight days of their life.
Insect-eating birds must fill their stomachs five to six times daily because they digest their food so fast and because
of the large amount of indigestible material in insects. One young robin, weighing three ounces, consumed 165
cutworms weighing 51⁄2 ounces in one day. If a 10-pound baby ate at the same rate, he would eat 181⁄3 pounds of
food in a day. Of course, birds cannot control insects completely, but they are of great value. By using soil and
water-conserving practices, farmers and ranchers could probably double the population of helpful birds. Field and
farmstead windbreaks, living fences, shrub buffers, grass waterways, and farm ponds are only a few of the many
land-use practices useful in attracting and increasing beneficial forms of wildlife.
Précis (e)
Tutorial 3
PRECIS WRITING
3.1 Beginner Exercise
1. Rewrite the following passage precisely into 1/3rd of its size with a suitable title.
Trees give shade for the benefit of others, and while they themselves stand in the sun and endure the scorching heat, they produce
the fruit of which others profit. The character of good men is like that of trees. What is the use of this perishable body if no use is
made of it for the benefit of mankind?
Sandalwood, the more it is rubbed, the more scent does it yield. Sugarcane, the more it is peeled and cut up into pieces, the more
juice does it produce. The men who are noble at heart do not lose their qualities even in losing their lives. What matters whether men
praise them or not? What difference does it make whether they die at this moment or whether lives are prolonged? Happen what
may, those who tread in the right path will not set foot in any other. Life itself is unprofitable to a man who does not live for others.
To live for the mere sake of living one’s life is to live the life of dog and crows. Those who lay down their lives for the sake of others
will assuredly dwell forever in a world of bliss.
2. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE PRECISELY INTO 1/3RD OF ITS SIZE WITH A SUITABLE TITLE.
Among the manifold misfortunes that may befall humanity, the loss of health is one of the severest. All the joys which life can give
cannot outweigh the sufferings of the sick. Give the sick man everything and leave him sufferings a d he will feel that half the world is
lost to him.
Lay him on a soft silken couch; he will nevertheless be under the pressure of his suffering while the miserable beggar, blessed with
health, sleeps sweetly on the hard ground. Spend his table with dainty meals and choice drinks, and he will thrust back the hand that
proffers them and every the poor man that thoroughly enjoys his dry crush Surround him with the pomp of kings, let his chair be a
throne and his crutch a world saving scepter, he will look with contemptuous eye on marble, on gold and on purple and would deem
himself happy, could he enjoy, even was it under a thatched roof, health of the meanest of his servants.
Machines have, in fact, become the salves of modern life. They do more and more work that human beings do not want to do
themselves. Think for a moment of the extent to which machines do work for you. You wake, perhaps, to the hoot of a siren by a
machine in a neighbouring factory. You wash in water brought to you by the aid of machinery, heated by machinery and placed in
basins for your convenience by a machine. You eat your breakfast quickly cooked for you by machinery, go to school in machines made
for saving leg labour. And if you are lucky to be in a very modern school, you enjoy cinema where a machine teaches you or you listen
57
to lessons broadcast by one of the most wonderful machines. So dependent has man become on machines that a certain

writer imagines a time when machines will have acquired a will of their own and become the master of men, doomed once more to
slavery.
Misers are generally characterized as men without honor or without humanity, who live only to accumulate, and to this passion
scarifies who live only to accumulate, and to this passion sacrifices the most of the joy of abundance, banish every pleasure and make
imaginary wants real necessities. But few, very few, correspond to this exaggerated picture; perhaps there is not one in whom all these
circumstances are found united. Instead of this we find the sober and the industrious branded by the vain and the idle with the odious
appellation: men who by frugality and the idle with the obvious appellation; men who by frugality and labour, raise themselves above
their equals and contribute their share of industry to the common stock. Whatever the vain or the ignorant may say, well where it for
society had we more of this character among us. In general, with these avaricious men we seldom lose in our dealings; but too
frequently in our commerce with prodigality.
Men and women are of equal rank but they are not identical. They are be peerless pair being supplementary to one another, each
helps the other so that without one the existence of the other cannot be conceived and, therefore it follows as a necessary corollary
from these facts that anything that will impair the status of either of them will involve the equal ruin of them both. In framing any
scheme of
women’s education this cardinal truth must be constantly kept in mind. Man is supreme in the outward activities of a married air and
therefore it is in the fitness of things that he should have a greater knowledge thereof. On the other hand, noise life is entirely the
sphere of woman and, therefore in domestic affairs, in the upbringing and education of children, woman ought to have more
knowledge Not that knowledge should be divided into water tight compartment’s or that so that some branches of knowledge should
be closed to anyone, but unless courses of instruction are based on discriminating appreciation of these basic principles, the fullest
life of man and woman cannot be developed.
When we survey our lives and efforts, we soon observe that almost the whole of our actions and desires are bound up with the
existence of other human beings. We notice that whole nature resembles that of the social animals. We eat food that others have
produced, wear clothes that others have made, live in house knowledge and beliefs has been passed on to us by other people though
the medium of a language which others have created. Without language and mental capacities, we would have been poor indeed
comparable to higher animals.
We have, therefore, to admit that we owe our principal knowledge over the least to the fact of living in human society. The individual
if left alone from birth would remain primitive and beast like in his thoughts and feelings to a degree that we can hardly imagine. The
individual is what he is and has the significance that he has, not much in virtue of the individuality, but rather as a member of a great
human community, which directs his material and spiritual existence from the cradle to grave.
Several times in the history of the world particular countries and cities or even small groups of people have attained a high degree of
civilization. Yet none of these civilizations, important they were, have lasted and one of the reasons why they did not least was that
they were confined to a very few people. They were like little oasis of civilization on deserts of barbarism. Now it is no good being
civilized if everybody round about you is barbarous, or rather it is some good but it is very risky. For the barbarians are always liable
to break in on you, and with their greater numbers and rude vigor scatter your civilization to the winds. Over and over again in history
comparatively civilized people dwelling in cities have been conquered in this way by barbarians coming down from the hills and burning
and killing and destroying whatever they found in the plains.
3.2 Intermediate Exercise
It is physically impossible for a well-educated, intellectual, or brave man to make money the chief object of his thoughts just as it is
for him to make his dinner the principal object of them. All healthy people like their dinners, but their dinner is not the main object of
their lives. So all healthy minded people like making money ought to like it and enjoy the sensation of winning it; it is something better
than money.
A good soldier, for instance, mainly wishes to do his fighting well. He is glad of his pay—very properly so and justly grumbles when
you keep him ten years without it—till, his main mission of life is to win battles, not to be paid for winning them. So of clergymen. The
clergyman's object is essentially baptize and preach not to be paid for preaching. So of doctors. They like fees no doubt—ought to like
them; yet if they are brave and well-educated the entire object to their lives is not fees. They on the whole, desire to cure the sick;
and if they are good doctors and the choice were fairly to them, would rather cure their patient and lose their fee than kill him
58

and get it. And so with all the other brave and rightly trained men: their work is first, their fee second—very important always; but
still second.
English education and English language have done immense goods to India, in spite of their glaring drawbacks. The notions of
democracy and self-government are the born of English education. Those who fought and died for mother India's freedom were nursed
in the cradle of English thought and culture. The West has made contribution to the East. The history of Europe has fired the hearts of
our leaders. Our struggle for freedom has been inspired by the struggles for freedom in England, America and France. If our leaders
were ignorant of English and if they had not studied this language, how could they have been inspired by these heroic struggles for
freedom in other lands? English, therefore, did us great good in the past and if properly studied will do immense good in future.
English is spoken throughout the world. For international contact our commerce and trade, for the development of our practical ideas,
for the scientific studies, English-is indispensable "English is very rich in literature," our own literature has been made richer by this
foreign language. It will really be a fatal day if we altogether forget Shakespeare, Milton, Keats and Shaw.
These are two considerations which deserve at least a word in any discussion of the future of the Indian theatre. The first is the rapid
development of the cinema as a competitive for prophesied favor. At first, in the early flush of cinematic triumph people—some of
whom might have been expected to, know better— prophesies the extinction of the theatre. It is now clear that though here and
there, temporarily, the theatre may be affected, the cinema cannot hope to replace the stage and elbow it out of existence.
Experience in the West has shown that the stage will always be required as a federal studio. For the technique is different and great
stage actors have, always, to their disgust, discovered that film acting is at least only second best to them; it cannot mean to them
what the stage means. Something is lacking in the human touch. In the theatre heart responds to heart and mind acts on mind in a
way unknown to the cinema. Thus, there is no danger of extinction to the theatre. On the other hand, the rivalry of the screen ought
to and will put theatre to a new test and give it a new stimulus that may well lead to still higher planes of artistic achievement. Finally,
a word about a national language spoken, written and thought might do for the theatre in India.
With the new awakening in social life the need of a common tongue is being increasingly felt. Much work is being done to bring out a
common linguistic medium. The day when, it is accepted will be a great day for the Indian theatre, as it will be for all art in the country.
But the theatre, because its life blood is spoken word, will gain most. With a common tongue, with a live national consciousness, the
theatre will become to its own as definite instrument of national unity reflecting the national mind, interpreting the national heart
and dreaming national dreams for the future.
Certain people consciously or unconsciously cherish the desire that some part of their work and of their accomplishment will outlive
their own individual life. The influence which they have exercised on the world in which they lived, the concern which they have built
up, the books which they have written, the work they have laid as a part of some scientific edifice, whose completion they themselves
will not live to see all such things inspire the people that some aspect of themselves will outlast their own personal existence, the
artist bequeaths his pictures, the scholar his contribution of knowledge while poets and composers are primarily concerned that
posterity shall take pleasure in their creations. Statesmen envisage that particular agreement in whose development they themselves
had played a crucial part will preserve their names for future generations. People are not unconcerned for their posthumous
reputation. Many an old person is distinctly preoccupied with this question and keeps a zealous watch to ensure that his achievement
are properly quoted and recorded.
We live in an age of great hurry and great speed. Men have lost their inward resources. They merely reflect. Like a set of mirrors,
opinions which they get a little leisure, they turn to material diversions from outside rather than to inward resources. This internal
vacuum is responsible for mental and nervous troubles. The cure for this is not so much treatment by medicine and surgery but a
recovery of faith in the ultimate goodness, truth and the decency of things. If we are able to recover that faith, if we are able to live in
this world with our consciousness centred in the intimacy of the spirit, many of the problems to which we are subject today may be
overcome. Our people were regarded as aspiring after metaphysical insight, but we seem to forget that it never occurred to them to
equate eternal life with either the surrender of the mind or the sacrifice of the body. When an Upanishad writer was asked to define
what is meant by spiritual life. He gave the answer that it consists of the satisfaction of the mind, the abundance of tranquillity of the
spirit. Body, mind and spirit must be integrated and they must lead to a harmonious developed life. If we get that, we have life eternal.
A keen sense of humour is the hall mark of culture. When a person can crack a joke on himself, he raises himself at one in the estimation
of his friends. There are people who can throw jokes at others, but never take one thrown against them. This one-way
59
traffic is not really a high sense of good humour. It is the essence of hamper that there should be give and takes in the process good

humour is often the test of tolerance. A fanatic is incapable of good humour. He is tearing others to pieces fearing of getting himself
torn all the time. Good humour defeats itself. If there is malice in it, or is indulged in to hurt others. A joke should never hurt otherwise
it is no joke at all. A joke should make the person who makes it and the person who has to take it, laugh together. That is why tolerance
and culture are the sources of every good joke.
Education ought to teach us how to be in love always and what to be in love with. The great things of history have been done by the
great lovers, saints, men of science and artists, and the problem of civilization is to give every man a chance of being a saint, a man of
science or an artist. But this problem cannot be solved unless men desire to be saints, men of science and artists. And if they are to
desire that continuously they must be taught what it means to be these things. We think of the man of science, or the artist if not of
the saint, as a being with peculiar gifts who exercises more precisely and incessantly perhaps, activities which we all ought to exercise.
It is a commonplace belief that art has ebbed away out of our ordinary life, out of all the things which we use, and that it is practiced
no longer recognize the aesthetic activity as an activity of the spirit and common to all men. We do not know that when a man makes
anything he ought to make it beautiful for the sake of doing so, and that when a man buys anything he ought to demand beauty in it
for the sake of that beauty in it for the sake of that beauty. We think of beauty if we think of it at all, as a mere source of pleasure, and
therefore it means to us an ornament added to things for which we can pay extra as we choose. But neatly is not an ornament to life,
or the things made by man. It is an essential part of both.
The thing above all that a teacher should Endeavour to produce in his pupils if democracy is to survive, is the kind of tolerance that
springs from an Endeavour to understand those who are different from ourselves. It is perhaps a natural impulse to view with horror
and disgust all manners and customs different from those to such we are use. Ants and savages put strangers to death. And those who
have never travelled either physically or mentally find it difficult to tolerate the queer ways and outlandish beliefs of other nationals
and other times other sees and other political parties. This kind of ignorant intolerance is the antithesis of civilized outlook and is one
of the gravest dangers to which cur over crowded world is exposed. The educational system, ought to be designed to correct it, but
much too little is done in this direction at present. In every country nationalistic feeling is encouraged and school children are taught
what they are only too ready to believe, that the inhabitants of other countries are morally and intellectually inferior to those of the
country in which the school children happen to reside. In all this the teachers are not to blame. They are not free to teach as they
would wish. It is they who know most intimately the needs of the young. It is they who through daily contact have come to care for
them. But it is not they who decided what shall be taught or what the methods of instruction are to be.
Almost every country in the world believes that it has some special dispensation from Providence, that it is of the chosen people or
race and that others, whether they are good or bad, are somewhat inferior creatures. It is extraordinary now this kind of feeling
persists in all nations of East as well as of the West without exception. The nations of the East are strongly entrenched in their own
ideas and convictions and sometimes in their own sense of superiority about certain matters. Anyhow in the course of the last two or
three hundred years, they have received many knocks on the head and they have been humiliated, and they have been debased and
they have been humiliated, and they have been debased and they have been exploited. And so, in spite of their feeling that they were
superior in many ways, they were forced to admit that they could be knocked about and exploited. To some extent, this brought a
sense of realism to them. Three was also an attempt to escape from reality by saying that it was sad that we were not so advanced in
material or technical things but that these were after all superficial things. Nevertheless, we were superior in essential things, in
spiritual things and moral values. I have no doubt that spiritual things and moral values are ultimately more important than other
things, but the way one finds escape in the thought that one is spiritually superior simply because one is inferior in a material and
physical sense, is surprising. It does not follow by any means. It is an escape from facing up the causes of one’s degradation.
Discipline is of the utmost importance in student life. If the young students do not obey their superiors and go without discipline, they
will deprive the training they should have at this period and in future they will never be able to extract obedience from other sin the
society. Society will never accept them as persons fit for commanding and taking up any responsible positions in life. So it is the
bounder. Duty of all the students is to observe discipline in the preparatory stage of their life. A college without discipline can never
impart suitable education to students. The rule of discipline in the playground and the battle field as well plays a very important role.
A team without discipline may not fare well in spite of good players for want of mutual understanding and cooperation. In any army
everyone from the rank of the general down to the ranks of an ordinary soldier must observe discipline. In case a soldier does not
obey his immediate superior the army becomes a rabble quite unfit for the achievement of the common ends of war. At first sight it
may appear to us that discipline takes away individual liberty. But on analysis it is found that it does not do so, for liberty is not license.
We find disciplined liberty at the root of all kinds of human happiness.
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India has witnessed great expansion of educational opportunities since the attainment of independence. However, the disables
children have not yet benefited in any substantial manner from the growth in educational facilities. Education of handicapped children
ultimately becomes more dependent and non- productive. It is therefore believed that scarce national resources should not be wasted
on them. Further, it has been our misconceived notion that the education of handicapped children requires highly specialized people
and as such, it must essentially be very costly. Maybe, precisely for these wrong notions we have not been able to involve clinical and
educational specialization programmers of training and education exclusively meant for handicapped children. It is encouraging to
note that the new National Policy on Education has recommended the placement of such children in regular schools so as to provide
them integrated education along with normal students. The integrated education will take care of the different needs of various
categories and types of disabled children. The objective is to place the disabled children in ordinary schools for imparting education
with the help of special teachers, aids and other resources. For fulfilling this objective an array of the necessary infrastructure by way
of training of teachers, provision of equipment and book etc are some of the basic pre-requisition. Hopefully, the parents and their
handicapped children will be greatly relieved when the latter are transferred to regular schools.
The world today is divided into smokers and non-smokers. It is true that the smokers cause some nuisance to the non-smokers, but
this nuisance is physical while the nuisance that the non-smokers cause the smokers is spiritual. There are of course, a lot of non-
smokers who don’t try to interface with the smokers and wives can be trained even to tolerate their husbands smoking in bed. That is
the surest sign of a happy and successful marriage. It is sometimes assumed, however, that the non-smokers are morally superior. But
have missed one of their greatest pleasures of mankind. I am always scared and ill at ease when I enter a house in which there are no
ash-trays. The room is apt to be too clean and orderly, the cushions are apt to be in their right placed and the people are apt to be
correct and understood. And immediately I apt on the best behaviour which means the same thing as the most think behaviours.
One of the pleasantest things in the world is going on a journey but I like to go by myself. I can enjoy society in a room, but out of
doors, nature is company enough for me. I am then never less alone than when alone. I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at
the same time. When I am in the country, I wish to vegetate like the country. I am not for criticizing hedgerows and black cattle. I go
out of town in order to forget the town and all that is in it. There are those who for this purpose go to watering places, and carry the
metropolis with them. I like more elbow room and few encumbrances. I like solitude when I do not give myself up to it, for the sake
of solitude, nor do I ask for a friend in my retreat. The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect livery to think, feel, and do just as one pleases
we go on a journey chiefly to be free of all inconveniences, to leave ourselves behind. It is because I want a little breathing space to
music on different matters, that I absent myself from the town for a while without feeling at a loss. The moment I am left to myself,
instead of a friend to exchange the same stale topics over again, let me have a trace with this sort of impertinence. Give me the clear
blue sky over my head and the green turf beneath my feet, a winging road before me and a three hour’s march to dinner and then to
thinking.
3.3 Advance Exercise

Exercise 1
As early as the sixth or seventh century B.C. Panini wrote his great grammar of the Sanskrit language. He mentions previous grammars
and already in his time Sanskrit had crystallized and become the language of an ever-growing literature. Panini’s book is something
more than a mere grammar. To has been described by the Soviet. Professor Th. Stcherabatsky, of Leningrad, as one of the greatest
productions of the human mind Panini is still the standard authority on Sanskrit grammar. Through subsequent grammarians have
added to it and interpreted it. It is interesting to note that Panini mentions the Greek script. This indicates that there were some kind
of contacts between India and the Greeks long before Alexander came to the East. The study of astronomy was specially pursued and
it often merged with astrology. Medicine had its text books and there were hospitals. Dhanwantri is the legendary found of the Indian
science of medicine. The best-known old text books however, date from the early centuries of the Christian era. These are by Charka
on medicine and Sushruta bon surgery. Charka is supposed to have been the royal court physician of kanishka who had his capital in
the north-West. These text books enumerate a large number of diseases and give methods of diagnosis and treatment. They deal with
surgery, obstetrics, baths, diet, hygiene, infant feeding, and medical education. The approach was experimental, and dissection of
dead bodies was being practiced in course of surgical training. Various surgical instruments are mentioned by Sushrutas, as well as
operations including amputation of limbs, abdominal, caesarean section, cataract, etc. Wounds were sterilized by fumigator. In the
third or fourth century B.C. there were also hospitals for animals. This was probably due to the influence of Jainism and Buddhism
with their emphasis on non- violence.
Exercise 2
Little babies are fun; in fact, they are absolutely adorable. I hope this opening statement will absolve me of the guilt the following
words are going drown me in. So, babies are sweet little things, but why do most parents the world over make out that their babies
are the sweetest? The most common and prodigious phenomenon of nature continues to be the world’s greatest event every time
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there is a new entry into the parents’ ranks.

Creation is wonderful and there are few who can refute that, but certain laws of nature don’t allow for improvisations and such laws
apply to little babies. Every baby, if he is a normal little bounder, just has to cry when his little food bag is empty. There is; nothing
particularly intelligent about that, but there are parents who go poetic on this attribute of the little one.
Then comes a stage where a baby just has to roll over on to her stomach periodically. Every baby does it. But try explaining that to a
fanatic parent. “Oh, but she does it all by herself. It’s just marvellous. You should watch her, you really should. Come on Baby boo, on
your stomach”. Much does “Babyboo” care for parental pride at that stage. While the bored parent of four shuffles her feet waiting
for the demonstration the new parent is totally engrossed in repeating the request.
After a while Baby seems to oblige but not because she has some Mohammed Ali complex of Pam the Greatest but because her little
body wants to. This act is promptly interpreted as the corroboration of the parental statement that Baby is so intelligent and look how
she did it on request!
There is something extremely appealing about babies, and little detours in conversation now and then centred on a sudden gurgle or
cooing is perfectly normal. What is vexing is one has one’s attention constantly dragged away from some very absorbing discussion to
a perpetual refrain of “My baby now…”
Babies, left to themselves are charming creatures; even in their tantrum-prone state. Add a dash of parental pride by all means, but
when it increases beyond proportion, the compound is unpalatable. A state of extreme pathos presents itself when an unmarried
person visits friends who have just acquired parental status. The new Papa and Mama might be slightly sensitive about fitting into the
gushing new mold initially. But when Baby suddenly gurgles and the visiting friend responds impulsively, it is completely out of hand.
Another interesting transformation in many fresh parents is from I-love-babies to I-love-only-my-babies. Two sets of new parents get
together and after the cursory chucking of chins of each other’s baby there is a very compulsive game set in motion called i-vaguely-
know-you-are-talking-about-your-kid-but-what- I-have-to say-about-mine is far more interesting. It is confounding how the love for
babies gets concentrated into a concentric point once one becomes a parent.
There are exceptions to every generality but sometimes one wishes the exceptions would become the generality and vice versa. This
would be a nice state of affairs in the meet-my-baby context or should it be contest?
Exercise 3
The most have neglected the careful study of the cinema. When they think of the cinema they think only of sex and immorality, they
do not think of the good things about the cinema. Many of them seem to have a closed mind on the subject. They are suffering under
a complex, caused by the age-old prejudice of the so-called genteel folk towards any kind of show business and the men engaged in
it. Even in countries like England and America which are certainly more advanced than India, they look down upon actors and actresses
with an air of superiority. The main reason for this prejudice is perhaps that members of this profession always depend on public
support and patronage for their very existence. The showman, like a politician, exists only at the pleasure of the public. He is always
dispensable, not indispensable. He is always to bow down to the whims and fancies of his public. Here the public becomes superior to
the showman and the showman accepts the position of superiority assumed by public men because public men like showmen depend
on the same public. If public men work for the good of the public, showmen do, as a matter of fact, work for the pleasure of the public,
the two are different spheres of activity. That is all the difference.
Another reason for the inhibited growth of the cinema is the confused thinking about its use, its scope and its purpose. It can be and
is, as a matter of fad, to a very large extent, used as a means of propaganda, publicity and advertisement. It can be developed as one
of the fine arts in its own right. It can be used as a medium for the enlightenment of other nations about our own culture, customs
and manners. It has often been said that one of the potent causes of international misunderstanding, hot and cold wars, is the people
of different countries do not have the means to appreciate and understand each other adequately. We are all familiar nowadays with
the international exchange of students and professors, permanent culture establishments in foreign countries, tourist information
bureaus, and hundreds of good-win missions. There can be no gainsaying that the cumulative effect of all these activities in establishing
mutual international understanding and paving the way for permanent world peace is very great. No wonder, therefore, that all
modem States consider the film industry as a ‘key’ industry which has to be preserved and fostered at all costs.
The scope of cinema being so wide, and the purpose for which it can be applied so varied, it is obvious that the agencies employing
the medium of screen for various specific purposes must also be necessarily as varied. Its use as a medium of advertisement, for
instance, can be sponsored only by commercial interest. Its use as a medium of mass education is pre-eminently the domain of National
and State Governments. It is, indeed, a great pity that our educational institutions have not begun to exploit the immense potentiality
of the film for educational purposes. A careful consideration of the different agencies which can exploit motion picture for specific
purposes leads to the inevitable conclusion that the only scope for private enterprise is the field of public entertainment. I take it that
it is agreed on all hands that recreation and entertainment are almost as important as food, clothing and shelter. Apart from recreation,
being good of the people themselves, it is in the interest of the State itself to keep the people contented and well provided with
wholesome pastimes during the time when they have no work. The idle man’s brain is indeed the devil’s workshop. That is why all
successful governments, from time immemorial, have made it a policy of high statecraft to keep the people away from mischief and
discontent by means of State-sponsored recreation.
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Exercise 4

The work which Gandhiji had taken up was not only the achievement of political freedom but also the establishment of a social order
based on truth and non-violence, unity and peace, equality and universal brother hood and maximum freedom for all. The unfinished
part of his experiment was perhaps even more difficult to achieve than the achievement of political freedom. In the political struggle
the fight was against a foreign power and all one could do, was either join it or wish it success and give it their moral support. In
establishing a social order of the pattern there was a likely possibility of a conflict arising between groups and classes or our own
people. Experience shows that man values his possessions even more than his life because in the former he sees the means for
perpetuation and survival of his descendants even after his body is reduced to ashes. A new order cannot be established without
changing the mind and attitude of men, for at some stage or the other, the 'haves' have to yield place to the 'have-nots' to achieve a
kind of egalitarian society.
The root cause of class conflict is possessiveness or the acquisitive instinct. So long as the ideal that is to be achieved is one of securing
maximum material satisfaction, possessiveness is neither suppressed nor eliminated but grows on what it feeds. Nor does it cease of
be such it is possessiveness, still, whether it is confined to only a few or is shared by many.
If egalitarianism is to endure, it has to be based not on the possession of the maximum material goods by a few or by all but on
voluntary enlightened renunciation of those goods, which cannot be shared by others or can be enjoyed only at the expense of others.
This calls for substitution of spiritual values for purely material ones. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us how the acquisitive instinct
inherent in man could be transmuted by the idea of trusteeship by those who 'have' for the benefit of all those who 'have not', so that
instead of leading to exploitation and conflict - it would become a means and incentive for the amelioration and progress of society
respectively.
Exercise 5
Of all the amusements which can possibly be imagined for a hardworking man, after his daily toil, there is nothing like reading an
entertaining book - a thriller, a murder mystery or even a travelogue. It calls for no bodily exertion of which he had enough through
the day.
It relieves his home of its dullness. It transports him to a livelier and more interesting scene, and while he enjoys himself there, he may
forget the evils of the present moment, be it personal or general. It accompanies him to his next day's work and if the book he has
been reading be anything above the very idlest and the dullest, it gives him something to think about, besides the drudgery of his
everyday occupation, his day to day frustration, the fuss that people make over insignificant happenings, etc.
If I were to play for a taste which should stand me in good stead under every variety of circumstances and be a source of happiness
and cheerfulness through life, it would be a taste for reading. This habit of reading once developed brings lifelong happiness and
companionship, a contentment which can only be believed once experienced. Give the man this taste, and the means of gratifying it,
and you can hardly fail to make him happy unless indeed you put into his hand a most perverse selection of books. This perverse
selection however would put him off books completely for the rest of his life. It is thus the right book which makes his leisure hours
not only rewarding but gives him a new lease of life.
Now have a look at the above passage. From the first line itself you can say that the passage is about Books. So you can go with the
title "Importance of Books" / " Advantages of Books" / " Book is a real friend" and so on... Later try to understand the motive of the
passage and write it in your own words. If you observe the below precis, you will find the words like contentment, companionship etc.
Contentment means, the state of being happy and satisfied. Usually if somebody says that he / she is happy, you will imagine the
person is dancing with excitement. But contentment is not that kind of happiness. Contentment means a peaceful ease of mind. It’s
being satisfied with what you have, whatever that is. You might feel a sense of contentment knowing you have a cup of hot chocolate
and a good movie to look forward to tonight (Reading books in our case). We could save almost 3 lines of information by using a single
word "Contentment". In the same way, companionship... This means the good feeling that comes from being with someone else. In
this way, try to simplify the given essay in your own words. Now let’s have a look at the final output.
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UNIT 3
LECTURE 6
Sentence Completion
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What are Sentence Completion Questions?
• They are nothing but the good old ‘Fill in the Blanks’ type of questions we’ve been handling since primary school!
• The only difference is – the ‘test’ is of a slightly different kind when it comes to your level today; and what companies/
recruiters test in you using this variety of questions.
What do they test?

Vocabulary
Not just ‘meanings’of words, but also their fine usage
Your ability to mark logical consistency among given elements of a
sentence. Your ability to grasp how words fit into various contexts
Sometimes, your mere knowledge of how parts of sentence affect each other can help you determine which option to pick;
.You
may not necessarily know the meanings of the options given!!
QUESTION TYPES
1. Single Blank
The man is most , talking sweetly one day and blasting on the other.
a. Indifferent b. Objective c. Unpredictable d. Ineffectual e. Unobtrusive
2. Double Blank
Although her attitude is usually ; but she can be at the name of her landlord.
a. Vicious, ignored b. Serene, provoked c. Energetic, disappointed d. Meek,
compliment e Perverse, betrayed
Double Blank questions are easier to solve rather than the Single Blank ones. The reason is you can eliminate
word pairs based on the inaptness of just one word in the pair!!
3. Close Text Completion Questions:
The girl was ( solitude/ lonely/ solitary/ unique). Yet, she never felt lonely. It was her
(contempt/ likeness/ preference) for (despondency/ dilemma) that made her a
(fighter/ fugitive).
THE CHALLENGES
1. Sometimes subordinate clauses, relative clauses, prepositional phrases, etc. can complex the sentences and
make comprehension and right selection difficult.
2. Some questions are set to judge whether you understood the tone of the writer as well as his subject.
3. Sometimes, technical, poetic, formal/ informal, academic, research-oriented, etc. styles of writing would need a
specific word that might be difficult to figure out of all close choices given.
Tips to solve Sentence Completion Questions:
Read the sentence carefully for meaning

You are never going to determine the answer until you understand the question. Think about the sentence means and what
part of speech is necessary to correctly complete the sentence.
Visualize
Before you go to the choices, think of the possible words for the blanks. It will save you from wrong choices. This is better than
trying out the choices to find out "what sounds good." It is faster and less prone to errors.
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Structure Words
Look for words like but, rather, although, however, and, while, but, therefore. They reveal the sentence organization and the
hint- blank relationship. They tell you what kinds of words to look for, as they change the thought process in the sentence.

Always read all the answer choices

In sentence completion section, if you are strapped for time and you select “A” because it works without checking the other
choices, it just may be that answer choice “E” was an even better selection.
Use process of elimination

This is especially true of the questions with 2 blanks. This essentially doubles the chances you will know at least one of the 2
words in the answer choices and that you can eliminate the choice from consideration if the words do not make sense.
Improve Your Vocabulary

Improving your vocabulary and usage can help you do better as the word meanings help you find the right answer.
Working Backwards
The two-blank questions can be easier as you have more opportunities to eliminate wrong choices. If you can eliminate a
choice based on one word, you don't need to know the other word. Often, working backwards i.e. picking the second blank
choice first works better.
Positive/Negative Flow
When you read the sentence, you have to look out for adjectives/adverbs which tell you the idea of the sentence. After finding
these adjectives/adverbs, you need to find out if the idea of the sentence is positive/negative. All the negative ideas may be a
"bad word/bad phrase" or any term which has no/none/not... in it. In simple words, if the flow of the first part of the
sentence is positive and the second part is negative, then the blank must be negative to even the flow of the sentence. This
would solve the sentence completion question without even understanding the question.
Structure Words
Look for words like but, rather, although, however, and, while, but, therefore. They reveal the sentence organization and the
hint- blank relationship. They tell you what kinds of words to look for, as they change the thought process in the sentence.
Always read all the answer choices

In sentence completion section, if you are strapped for time and you select “A” because it works without checking the other
choices, it just may be that answer choice “E” was an even better selection.
Use process of elimination

This is especially true of the questions with 2 blanks. This essentially doubles the chances you will know at least one of the 2
words in the answer choices and that you can eliminate the choice from consideration if the words do not make sense.
Improve Your Vocabulary

Improving your vocabulary and usage can help you do better as the word meanings help you find the right answer.
Working Backwards
The two-blank questions can be easier as you have more opportunities to eliminate wrong choices. If you can eliminate a
choice based on one word, you don't need to know the other word. Often, working backwards i.e. picking the second blank
choice first works better.
Positive/Negative Flow
When you read the sentence, you have to look out for adjectives/adverbs which tell you the idea of the sentence. After finding
these adjectives/adverbs, you need to find out if the idea of the sentence is positive/negative. All the negative ideas may be a
"bad word/bad phrase" or any term which has no/none/not... in it. In simple words, if the flow of the first part of the
sentence is positive and the second part is negative, then the blank must be negative to even the flow of the sentence. This
would solve the sentence completion question without even understanding the question.
Punctuation:
Whenever the punctuation "," (comma) appears, followed by a blank in between two sentences, then it means that the synonym
of the phrase/word before "," is the meaning of the blank. In simple words, when you find ',' followed by a blank then find the
synonym of the word before ',' and check the options to match the synonym of the word.
In the same way, when you find ":"( colon) or ";"( semi-colon) in the sentence, they will indicate that the idea coming up is
merely an explanation of the earlier idea. So, simply find the synonym of the word/phrase before the punctuation and fill in the
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blank with the synonym from the options given.

Transitional Words
Be alert to transitional words. Transitional words tell you what is coming up. They indicate that the author is now going to
draw a contrast with something stated previously, or support something stated previously.
There are certain indicators to guide sentence completion:
i. Contrast Indicators:
To contrast two things is to point out how they differ. In this type of sentence completion problem, we look for a word that has
the opposite meaning (an antonym) of some key word or phrase in the sentence.
Following are some of the most common contrast indicators:

But Yet Despite Although However Nevertheless
Example: Although the warring parties had settled a number of disputes, past experience made them _________ to
express optimism that the talks would be a success.
A. rash B. ambivalent C. scornful D. overjoyed E. reticent
"Although" sets up a contrast between what has occurred--success on some issues--and what can be expected to occur--success
for the whole talks. Hence, the parties are reluctant to express optimism. The common word "reluctant" is not offered as an
answer- choice, but a synonym--reticent--is. The answer is (E).
ii. Support Indicators:
Supporting words support or further explain what has already been said. These words often introduce synonyms for words
elsewhere in the sentence.
Following are some common supporting words:
And Also Furthermore Likewise In Addition For
Example: Davis is an opprobrious and ________ speaker, equally caustic towards friend or foe--a true curmudgeon.
A. lofty B. vituperative C. unstinting D. retiring E. laudatory
"And" in the sentence indicates that the missing adjective is similar in meaning to "opprobrious," which is very negative. Now,
vituperative--the only negative word--means "abusive." Hence, the answer is (B).
iii. Cause And Effect Indicators:
These words indicate that one thing causes another to occur. Some of the most common cause and effect indicators are
Because For Thus Hence Therefore If ,
Example: Because the House has the votes to override a presidential veto, the President has no choice but to ________.
A. object B. abdicate C. abstain D. capitulate E. compromise
Since the House has the votes to pass the bill or motion, the President would be wise to compromise and make the best of
the situation. The answer is (E).
A few more indicators:

iv. CONTEXT CLUES
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Important words or phrases can help decipher which word would fit in the blank best. These are context clues.
The is a masterpiece for it is a statement on truth as well as the manner in which step-by-step his real
life experiences helped him locate his true call. (autobiography/ prosody/ elegy)
The context clue in this case is “real life experiences”.
Context Clues can be synonyms, antonyms or definitions.
Usually if an antonym context clue is present, the words, ‘however’, ‘but’, etc. will be also present in the sentence.
Whenever a comma or colon comes after the blank, what comes after is usually the definition/
description of the omitted word.
, the revival of old learning and culture, changed the pages of history.
v. Red herrings!
A red herring is a ‘distracter’, ‘a misleading clue’. (the expression originates from the fact that criminals rub
herring, a type of fish, on trails to distract the hunting dogs chasing them)
We are lagging behind in and everyone seems to be just copying trends set by the West.
a. Eastern b. Spiritual c. Nation d. Innovation
The word, ‘West’ can be a red herring here. The moment we see it, we may jump to concluding that ‘Eastern’ or
‘“spiritual’ or even ‘nation’ might be the answer. The idea, however, is about not ‘copying’. Hence, the answer is
its opposing ‘innovation’. None of the other options fits in grammatically even!
vi. AMPLIFICATION INDICATORS

Words like “not just,…..but…” signify that the word pair you need to look for consists of those similar in
meaning: but the second one is supposed to be more intense in the same quality than the first one.
Madhu is not just , she is .

Sweet, sour b. Submissive, aggressive c. Assertive, aggressive
Sentence completion mixed Practice Exercises:

In the following questions sentences are given with blanks to be filled in with an appropriate word. Four alternatives are suggested
for each question. Choose the best alternative.
1. The criminal ————— madness to escape punishment.
a) showed c) affected
b) acted d) none of these
2. During his regime, Akbar —————- many reforms in the country.

a) made c) effected
b) caused d) started
3. He did not get a promotion, as there was a/an ————— report against him.
a) impressive c) adverse
b) good d) wrong
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4. Which cat is ————— to fish?

a) against c) adverse
b) averse d) none of these
5. I can apprehend the bare principles of the Theory of Relativity, but I cannot ————— its full implications.
a) assimilate c) comprehend
b) digest d) conceive
6. I shall not —————— my right to this house, unless you promise to give me another one.
a) discard c) avoid
b) give in d) waive
7. Every one should know the basic —————— of economics.

a) principals c) principles
b) rules d) laws
8. There we met a —————– gentleman with a tall stature and a flowing beard.
a) revered c) reverend
b) reverent d) respectful
9. He hates his landlady because he feels that she is ————- and meddlesome.
a) carefree c) official
b) caring d) officious
10. Only —————- people succeed in life.

a) ingenuous c) religious
b) industrious d) industrial
11. It was a —————– presentation and we all enjoyed it thoroughly.

a) masterful c) masterly
b) mastery d) mastermind
12. He lives a ————– life in the city, neglecting his old parents in the village.
a) satisfactory c) miserable
b) luxurious d) noble
Tutorial 4
SENTENCE COMPLETION
4.1 Exercise: Beginner
Directions: Complete the sentence using the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a
whole.
1. Although it’s not remotely frightening in the daylight, the estate takes on __________ quality at night.
A. an eerie B. a stately C. a jovial D. an optimistic E. a marvellous
2. I have always preferred __________ areas to __________ ones, because I really like the countryside.
A. city … downtown B. rural … urban C. attractive … beautiful D. quiet … tranquil
E. magnificent … majestic
3. Though the accident damaged the car pretty severely, mechanics were able to __________ it and make it almost good as new.
A. destroy B. build C. salvage D. hinder E. cure
4. Silvio first arranged the anthology in __________ order based on when the writers published each piece, but he later switched
to ____________ ordering system based on the spelling of the authors’ names.
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A. reverse … a straightforward B. random … an orderly C. mathematical … a geometric

D. chronological … an alphabetical E. original … a superior

5. The other children did not want Alexander to play with them, so they ________ him from their game.
A. exchanged B. exhibited C. exposed D. examined E. excluded
6. Apart from the one small river running through it, the desert is entirely __________.
A. arid B. humid C. remote D. temperate E. moist
7. Eleanor is ___________ peanuts: the smallest taste of peanut butter can stop her breathing and put her in the hospital.
A. enamored of B. allergic to C. intrigued by D. interested in E. fatal to
8. The dancer tried to ________ the movements of his teacher, exactly copying every graceful step.
A. plagiarize B. interpret C. mimic D. possess E. refine
9. The professor told her students about the project months in advance so that they would have ________ time to complete their
work.
A. chronological B. constant C. insufficient D. ample E. standard
10. Because the soldier fought so valiantly, he was ___________ by the president who awarded him an honorary medal.
A. commended B. rejected C. encountered D. ambushed E. chastised
11. Stalin often purged the Communist Party of his enemies and __________ in order to eliminate __________ and maintain his
control over the party.
A. supporters … dispute B. maniacs … rebellion C. fugitives … power
D. associates … cooperation E. rivals … dissent
12. Northampton High School is __________: students come from 24 different countries and speak 15 languages.
A. diverse B. uniform C. local D. similar E. identical
13. A new rule prohibits students from_____________ on campus after school, so, now, all students must leave campus by 4 PM.
A. arriving B. remaining C. dining D. returning E. fighting
14. My mother’s ___________ salary never left us with enough money to afford luxuries such as vacations, new cars, or nice clothes.
A. meager B. unlimited C. supportive D. tremendous E. prosperous
15. Trying to teach a dog to speak English is ___________task; the creature will never be able to use language like we do.
A. a worthwhile B. an admirable C. a futile D. a respectable E. a fruitful
4.2 Exercises: Intermediate

# Exercise 1
DIRECTIONS for the question 1 to 15: Complete the sentence by filling in the appropriate blank/blanks from the options provided.
1. Challenges must be __________ to realize the _________ of a greater regional economic integration.
a) Overcome....Potential
b) Suppressed....power
c) Ignored....benefits
d) Sustained....Advantages
e) Attempted....battles
2. He’s got a sharp ________. He might just get into trouble, if he isn’t careful.
a) Tongue
b) Mouth
c) Intellect
d) Vision
e) Brain
3. We had lunch _____ a Chinese restaurant yesterday
a) In
b) On
c) At
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d) Inside
e) Around

4. Vinod is clearly _________ when it comes to speaking English.

a) To a disadvantage
b) At a disadvantage
c) From a disadvantage
d) In a disadvantage
e) On a disadvantage
5. It was clear that there was no rationale behind his act; he went solely by his _____ and somehow succeeded.
a) Logic
b) Interpretation
c) Intuition
d) Analysis
e) Compass
6. For silent movies to succeed, the quality of acting has to be______ as there are no ______ dialogues or music for support.
a) Mediocre...engaging
b) Sublime...intimate
c) Realistic...melodramatic
d) Substantial...vehement
e) Extraordinary...mesmerizing
7. Sports for the visually challenged ________ their confidence and help them to mingle with the _______ of society.
a) enrich .....stalwarts
b) plummet.....elite
c) boost.....mainstream
d) abate.....cream
e) curb.....best
8. Every minister must be made_______ to the public for his/her acts of omission and commission.
a) menacing
b) acceptable
c) approachabler
d) accountable
e) dispensable
9. Suresh is a _________ who can dupe even the not so gullible.
a) smooth operator
b) perfect gentleman
c) knowledgeable person
d) jack of all trades
e) blabbermouth
10. The news is too good _______.
a) to be bad
b) to be acceptable
c) to be true
d) and can be credible
e) to know
11. I have never _____ such a problem and therefore confess I have no_______ to it.
a) left alone.... inhibitions
b) chickened at .... solution
c) dreaded...panacea
d) come across.... ready-made answer
e) marvelled at ..... Compulsions
12. Our job as teachers is to _______ the thirst for knowledge and _____ the spark of enthusiasm.
a) quench....Ignite
b) substantiate.....quell
c) sensitize....douse
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d) sustain .... mitigate

e) abate .... celebrate

13. At a time when most charities seem to think of _____ increasing their capital, Warren Buffet’s stipulation that what he gifts
must be spent within ten years comes as a _______ announcement.
a) perennially ..... contradictory
b) merely.....surprise
c) eternally ..... Involuntary
d) sporadically.....refreshing
e) constantly ..... landmark
14. Technology may have changed the way alliances are fixed in India (now at the click of a button) but the___ still is arranged
marriages with even most youngsters ______ the practice.
a) preference....loathing
b) norm ..... endorsing
c) practice....Customizing
d) convention....disdaining
e) tradition.....avoiding
15. The Maruti has become so ______ that snobbish customers, who believe their tastes are superior to others, are ________
buy this car of the masses
a) reputed....shirking from
b) sought after.... queuing to
c) ubiquitous .... disinclined to
d) affordable .... waiting to
e) convenient .... craving to
# Exercise 2
1. Elise always envisioned the monastery as an austere place of worship; however, upon visiting it, she found it surprisingly
a) comfortable
b) barren
c) strict
d) ornate
e) simple
2. Although it is necessary to carry a relatively large number of provisions when traversing the Australian Outback, it is
____________ that you keep your pack from becoming too _____________.
a) crucial...ponderous
b) mandatory...insulated
c) helpful...elongated
d) imperative...compact
e) important...convoluted
3. After living a life of depravity and transgression, the offender felt so ___________that he declared he would become a priest,
and devote the remainder of his life to __________.
a) melancholy...sadness
b) tentative...shame
c) terrible...sin
d) contrite...atonement
e) stolid...repentance
4. He vowed to embrace a newfound _________once the trial began; nonetheless the accused resorted to his typical manner of
___________ as soon as he took the stand.
a) ingenuousness…naïveté
b) mendaciousness...deceitfulness
c) passion...exuberance
d) candor...duplicity
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e) residence...decrepitude

5. Mr. Plainview is a man of secrecy. He deals with the mob and other ___________organizations, and regularly participates in
their ______________ activities.
a) clandestine...unlawful
b) anarchistic...fraudulent
c) amiable...illegitimate
d) disdainful...scrupulous
e) illegal...exhilarating
6. Even the most _________gambler stops betting when he or she runs out of money.
a) intelligent
b) cautious
c) hazardous
d) foolhardy
e) circumspect
7. Upon hearing the __________argument for the opposition, Mr. Algene felt __________that he would win the debate.
a) dubious...uncertain
b) substantial...sure
c) deplorable...convinced
d) tenuous...confident
e) hardy...positive
8. The lifestyle of a monk is ________; one must devote oneself to religious exercise, self-discipline, and abstention from material
satisfaction.
a) dull
b) ascetic
c) lachrymose
d) harsh
e) prodigal
9. The orator's speech was too _________; it would have been more succinct if she avoided discussing ________ subjects.
a) complicated...germane
b) prolix...tangential
c) resplendent...pertinent
d) convoluted...complex
e) terse...florid
10. Don was the most ____________ individual I had ever met; good fortune eluded him at every turn.
a) contentious
b) auspicious
c) venerable
d) hapless
e) ignominious
11. Due to the workers’ ___________ and unremitting work ethic, the bridge was built in under one month.
a) assiduous
b) laborious
c) stolid
d) pedantic
e) jovial
12. It is not a good idea to befriend ____________ animals; they are exposed to foreign environments and therefore may carry
diseases that the human immune system has not evolved to combat.
a) Domesticated d) Indigenous
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b) Ponderous e) endangered
c) feral

13. Although my sister’s _____________ with the rock star seemed ridiculous, she actually ___________ her dream of going on a
date with him last night.
a) obsession...engaged
b) fixation...participated in
c) infatuation...fulfilled
d) fascination...obliterated
e) affair...succumbed to
14. With such a(n) _____________ personality, it is difficult to imagine what made Amanda feel so melancholy.
a) ebullient
b) exciting
c) passionate
d) seditious
e) irascible
15. Being the __________host that she was, Anika made sure to approach each lodger with __________disposition.
a) convivial...an affable
b) churlish...a reputable
c) engaging...a specious
d) wicked...benign
e) amiable...a scrupulous
4.3 Advance level

# Exercise 1
For each blank select one entry from the corresponding column of choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.
1. Coach Mark Robinson has told Sussex's __________ players they must follow the example of Luke Wells and become more
ruthless. Robinson faces a selection dilemma for tomorrow's County Championship clash against Yorkshire at Hove with
four ... (continued…)
a. Equivocal
b. Restive
c. Fringe
d. quiescence
2. And my imagination gave him plenty of credit for pettiness, indiscipline, deceit and an __________ arrogance. I knew him to be
capable of stunning chutzpah and cheap sensationalism. I've seen his over-the-top attacks on rivals, his situational
ethics ... (continued…)
a. abhor
b. transgress
c. overweening
d. quandary
3. By __________ on Jun 5, 2012 12:00 PM CDT in Baseball · Tweet · 9 comments; Story-email Email; Printer Print. 11 AM
a. Regale
b. Voluptuous
c. clamor
d. Poseur
4. Our energy __________ is very much an eco-web of relationships. In this eco-web, thinking about such questions brings up
thinking about how your religious beliefs shape your answers, and do they square with reality the same can be asked about
your …
a. Incense
b. Quandary
c. Eclat
d. discern
5. The San Francisco Bay's deadliest catches -- for eaters of fish, that is -- are __________, shark, striped bass and white sturgeon,
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according to state officials. Looks delicious, but certain people should limit their intake of salmon and other fish
if ... (continued…)
a. Pedestrian

b. Purvey
c. Perch
d. quirk
6. Well, not screaming, but getting in a __________, I guess you say." Testino added the duchess "looked fabulous" and he even
helped do her own makeup. We love Kate's down-to-earth approach to style! The famed photog also revealed the relaxed
portraits of ... (continued…)
a. Fluster
b. Extinguish
c. Hubris
d. dilate
7. The Syrian government's increasingly __________ hold on power weakened further as rebels struck military targets across the
country and thousands of businesses shut down in response to an opposition-called general strike.
a. Chauvinist
b. Noxious
c. Tenuous
d. ubiquitous
8. The Toyota Tacoma, America's best-selling compact pickup truck, continues to __________ praise — and sales. The no-
nonsense Tacoma is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports. Two months ago, the Tacoma also was named the top truck in
its category in JD ... (continued…)
a. Garner
b. Machination
c. Encomium
d. braggart
9. PK Abdul Azis emphasized the need for __________ utilization of all the fund allocated to the department under XI Plan and
creation of better academic and research environment for the benefit of the students. While seriously taking note of the
unspent ... (continued…)
a. Judicious
b. Abhor
c. Commodious
d. somersaul
10. Germany's is a well-managed, powerful and highly competitive economy, able to meet the “Chinese challenge”
with __________. France's main global achievements lie in luxury goods. It appears highly unlikely that the Franco-German
captaincy will bring ... (continued…)
a. Equanimity
b. Diatribe
c. Pivotal
d. submerge
11. Achieving a new method of nanoscopic imaging, the scientific team studied the myelin __________, the membrane surrounding
nerves that is compromised in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study is published in this week's online edition of
the ... (continued…)
a. Abjure
b. Sheath
c. Blandishment
d. connote
12. By Claigan Inc. OTTAWA, May 18 /PRNewswire/ - On June 8th, Claigan Environmental Inc. (www.claigan.com), media sponsored
by Chemical Watch, will present a webinar on the April 2011 changes to RoHS __________. On 11 April 2011, the Committee on
the ... (continued…)
a. Recast
b. Foppish
c. Indigence
d. lithe
13. The expedition to haul the vintage car up 4409ft of __________ terrain mirrored the 1911 publicity stunt dreamt up by Ford
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salesman Henry Alexander. Neil said: “Just as I was about to finish the last bit all hell broke loose. “About 15 minutes before
we ... (continued…)
a. Jagged
b. Dynamo
c. Scorch
d. solvent
14. "About a week ago, this was 50-percent empty. and now you start to see all of what's going on here, so it's very exciting" says
Salvation Army Captain Ken __________. Although there are thousands of toys currently on location, dozens of children who
need to ... (continued…)
a. Shallow
b. Deposition
c. Argot
d. implosion
15. That's partly down to Lee's artful use of 3D, but also because, like Keaton, he knows how to make his audience feel the solidity
and __________ of the story he is telling, no matter how outlandish it may be. With enough money and technology, any ...
(continued…)
a. Duplicity
b. Nonplussed
c. Palpability
d. rumple
16. Gallagher also said his own daughter Anais was also __________ that he rejected Simon Cowell's offer to be a judge on the
show. He added: "She has never forgiven me for turning him down. I told her I'm not doing it, it's not for me — but she just
screamed ... (continued…)
a. Embellish
b. Livid
c. Pinchbeck
d. chortle
17. Bob's vanity and his avarice — both seemingly small-time — drive him to this work, and faint dreams of wealth, fame and sexual
satisfaction __________ his quotidian existence. By Jim Krusoe It's quotidian, anyway, until he finds a dying, car-struck dog ...
(continued…)
a. Pervade
b. Talon
c. Antidote
d. manacle
18. Two of three __________s crossing Interstate 15 during the past week have been struck by vehicles and killed, but Nevada
Highway Patrol officials said they have not determined a link among the incidents. ... (continued…)
a. Pedestrian
b. brummagem
c. imprecation
d. apprehensive
19. The __________ 6-1 loss to the Marlins didn't help. We've switched over to a new conversation system. Send us feedback!
Comments on stories older than 90 days have been removed. Having trouble Sign out and then sign in again. You are fully
responsible ... (continued…)
a. Feckless
b. Atonement
c. Pied
d. splice
20. Jamaica Labour Party supporters in Troy, South Trelawny running the __________ 'boat' as they started celebrations even
before the polls closed.
a. Colloquial
b. Shrill
c. Disallow
d. august
# Exercise 2
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1. Although Mary expressed much ______ at not being allowed to cook dinner in her own house, she seemed rather ______
when dinner was finally ready.
a) belligerence...angry
b) indignation...satisfied
c) sedition...passionate
d) benevolence...malignant
e) magnamity...ashamed
2. Unlike other, less ______ species, the ______ Kinkajou thoroughly inspects its food before consuming it.
a) prudent...reckless
b) restive...dangerous
c) careful...indifferent
d) delicate...voracious
e) discriminating...fastidious
3. Instead of concerning themselves with minor transgressions, the police concentrate on the most ______ offenses.
a) efficacious
b) egregious
c) deliberate
d) furtive
e) uncouth
4. The play was so ______ that the crowd jeered the actors while on stage, and we left immediately.
a) mediocre
b) execrable
c) laudable
d) obscure
e) austere
5. Unfortunately, he had not had time to fully ______ his idea - it was too ______ and could not accompany the final revision
of the plan.
a) explain...dogmatic
b) appreciate...prolix
c) contemplate...advanced
d) develop...inchoate
e) espouse…revolutionary
6. ______ behaviour did not appease the general; rather, it substantiated his belief that the best soldiers must act ______
from time to time.
a) Obsequious...defiantly
b) Mendacious...deceptive
c) Maligned...seditious
d) Brazen...overconfident
e) Mendacious…deceptive
7. Although Ben is a hard worker, he always ______ to his every impulse; he would be more productive if he wasn’t so ______.
a) gives in... contemporary
b) succumbs...demure
c) permits...idiosyncratic
d) yields...capricious
e) appeals...pedantic
8. The school would not tolerate Jane’s arrogant insolence; her ______ behaviour got her expelled.
a) assiduous
b) contemptuous
c) stolid
d) humble
e) deferential
9. Although Meg is usually quite amiable to newcomers, she cast Billy a cold, ______ stare.
a) indifferent
b) inimical
c) rebellious
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d) vengeful
e) sick

10. The nurse had become ______ the administration of injections; nevertheless, she carried out her job with ______
deliberation.
a) infatuated with...disinterested
b) inured to...painstaking
c) used to...perfunctory
d) concentrated on...conceited
e) disgusted with...voracious
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UNIT 4
LECTURE 7
Idea Elaboration & Picture
Perception
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CONCEPT OF IDEA ELABORATION

What is Idea Elaboration?
An idea conveyed by means of a group of words, sentences or even a paragraph; an advertisement, a movie
clip, a song, any verse, etc.; when is
‘elaborated’ (discussed in detail/ explained using examples, proofs, arguments, etc. )
Why is Idea Elaboration important?
Sometimes, in professional lives, you may be required to develop an idea, a report, a proposal, etc.
How do you validate your point?
How can you speak in detail and impressively about a point that you need to convey/ convince others with?
Can you add relevant examples, graphs, statistics, etc. creatively in order to substantiate your point?
Idea Elaboration exercises and tests are good ways of judging a candidates’ expression; creativity; logical, descriptive
and communication skills, especially written communication. Coherence, flow of written communication, organisation,
etc. can be very well checked through idea elaboration. How big/ comprehensively one can think and organise sharply
and effectively can be analysed by the examiner.
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The following techniques can apply to open-ended

response, persuasive essays, explanatory essays, and
speculative writing: some strategies are more
appropriate for specific genres than others.
Definition
Pollution is the term used to describe toxins in our
environment.
Fact
There are four major types of pollution.
Response/ Reaction/ Opinion
For example, the weather in Tamil Nadu never
used to get below 30 degrees. Now, the situation
has changed, people are getting used to
temperatures in the teens!
Small story / Anecdote
Once when I went swimming, I couldn’t paddle
two feet without touching a piece of garbage
floating around me.
Data/ Statistic
Out of 30 students interviewed, 28 reported seeing
garbage all over the schoolyard when they return
from the weekend.
Quotes (Direct or Indirect) from authorities or primary/secondary sources

Michael Osmond, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, reports, “Pollution spreading is an extremely
critical issue that must be addressed by policy makers and the general public in order to get it under control.”
Concession: Acknowledge opposite viewpoints and offer your rebuttal

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While some people believe that pollution is a problem for those living in major cities, they are inaccurate.
Pollution spreads far beyond the invisible boundaries that outline our cities and metropolitan areas.
Rhetorical Questioning: A rhetorical question can be framed so that the only answer is in favour of your
opinion. Who would want to be living in a world surrounded by heaps of garbage and breathing poor quality
air?
Logic : If A equals B, an B equals C, then A must be equal to C. if the statements n your equation are true, then
your conclusion must be true as well. Also words well for “if… then…” statements
If every school in India agreed to stop producing paper-based fliers and chose online fliers instead, we would
reduce are carbon footprint by 30%
Personal Appeal: Empathize with the audience. Establish a common ground that they can relate to.
We all want a cleaner world for our generation and for generations to come. Everyone should have the right to
be born into a clean world.
PRACTICE 1
Activity 1:
What does the following cartoon mean? Elaborate the idea in 200 words.
Step 1: Try to understand the meaning of the given material:

The cartoon clearly is a sarcastic comment on the fact that many news agencies ‘make-up’ (partially or completely)
news and serve it.
Step 2: Now, you’ve got to remember that your idea elaboration has to reach a mature and holistic (that
encompasses/ touches upon almost all aspects of the issue) level.
“o, jot down all the points you can think of about the ‘fakeness’/ ‘making-up’ quality of news agencies (again take into
account all sorts of print/ electronic media, etc. but since the cartoon shows TV News, you should emphasize on this
category most. Do not restrict yourself only to Indian channels. ‘emember, ‘holistic’!! Talk about international news
channels equally.
You could make use of mind-maps in order to lay out the structure of your idea elaboration write – up
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The map above gives only one example. You could include in your map other ideas as latest examples (especially if in
any one of the incidents the fake news caused public disturbance), statistics, quotations/ views of eminent
personalities, good examples (of ideal, unbiased and neutral news reporting; and how it could be helpful), etc. Step 3:
Distribute your 200 words into:
Opening paragraph.
The intermittent paragraphs should deal one by one with your main ideas.
The main ideas should be broken down into sub-ideas within the paragraphs.
These ideas and sub-ideas should be substantiated with examples, arguments, personal experiences,
statistical information, etc.
Concluding paragraph.
The more important ideas should frame the first paragraphs. Follow the law of priority.
Check in your write-up that there is:
A logical development and coherence
Smooth transition – your write-up shouldn’t appear jerky.
The right mix of simple and compound sentences
The right mix of active and passive sentences
Step 4: Revise your write-up. Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. and see if the vocabulary or expression
can be improved upon. Remember that your conclusion should sum up your entire description/ argument.
Activity 1:
Activity 2:
What does the following cartoon mean? Elaborate the idea in 200 words.
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Activity 2:
PICTURE PERCEPTION
What is picture perception?
There are some questions for which one wishes to seek answers.
When is a surface with marks on it called a "picture”?

How do pictures carry meaning?
What kinds of meaning can pictures carry?
Is there a grammar of picturing?
Is picture perception essentially innate, or is it a skill that must be learned?
Following are some questions when answered lead to the answer to the concept of understanding what one sees
or perceiving what one observes:
What do you see?
What do you think?
What do you understand?
Importance of perception
Once you decide what a picture is, you will be able to understand what it conveys or how to interpret it. Perception
refers to the cognition of what one sees. What is the significance of understanding what a picture means? If you are
able to answer the above question, you will be convinced with the reason to enhance one’s skill in learning the
techniques that help in improving one’s perception. In literal sense, enhancing picture perception skills improves one’s
decision making and reasoning skills.
Deriving a variety of ideas – Varied perceptions lead to a variety of ideas. This helps in brainstorming.
Identifying particulars – If you are able to elicit details from a picture, you will be able to segregate the same
based on importance and thus improve prioritizing which enables you to decide one significant idea.
Building vocabulary – Describing anything aptly without missing relevance, requires enriched vocabulary. Thus,
the more you involve yourself in describing pictures; the better will be your contextual vocabulary.
Elaborating significance – Picture perception skills enables your reasoning skills as it becomes a natural
phenomenon to identify the most important aspect of a picture and assign logical relations to deduce the
importance as you get well acquainted with this practice
Making decision – You hone decision making skills as every picture is associated with a perceived story and every
story by default demands a conclusion. As and when you learn to develop stories and feasible conclusions, you
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also enable yourself to think laterally in attaining closure

Enhancing personality – The higher the frequency of the variety of visual images you come across, the wider will
grow your horizon in a variety of fields. The application of knowledge is wisdom and how you apply your
understandings lays the path to shaping your personality.
Pictorial representation of perception
PPDT – Picture Perception & Discussion Test
PPDT is a part of the screening tests, held on the first day of SSB along with the OIR (Intelligence tests).
PPDT has two stages:
Story writing
Discussion.
See image
Identify lead character
Project yourself onto the character
Figure out central idea from a hazy picture Looking
at a picture one might have 2 types of responses
Reactionary: a response which is immediate, for example jumping in the river to rescue someone drowning, etc.
Visionary: a response which involves a long period of time, for example, taking initiative and building a bridge
across a river with the help of locals and NGO's.
Do not use adjectives to describe characters rather describe the actions that would in turn define characters. Try
to empathize with the lead character A solution is a must. Give a realistic solution. Time constraints to be kept in
mind Adhere to word limit which is usually around 80-100 words
Algorithm to story writing

Observe image (A lone guy walking on an isolated path)
Create a stress (It is windy and about to rain, stormy weather)
Introduce a crisis
Intertwine stress and crisis: (Let the stress make the crisis worse)
Hero's reaction
Outcome
Discussion Phase
This phase will be similar to a group discussion. Present your story to the group, and discuss each other's stories for the
time stipulated. Play a constructive role in the discussion, do not argue mindlessly, do not hog the limelight, do not
raise your voice. The group should be ready with a common story in the end, so one must discuss with that goal in mind.
Usually, the person who speaks considering the interests of the group scales up to the next level.
Rorschach test
Rorschach Ink blot test is a psychological test in which subjects' perceptions of inkblots are recorded and then analysed
using psychological interpretation, complex algorithms, or both. Some psychologists use this test to examine a person's
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personality characteristics and emotional functioning. It has been employed to detect underlying thought disorder,

especially in cases where patients are reluctant to describe their thinking processes openly. The test is named after its
creator, Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach.
In the 1960s, the Rorschach was the most widely used projective test. Using interpretation of "ambiguous designs" to
assess an individual's personality is an idea that goes back to Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. Interpretation of inkblots
was central to a game, Gobolinks, from the late 19th century. Rorschach's, however, was the first systematic approach
of this kind. It has been suggested that Rorschach's use of inkblots may have been inspired by German doctor
JustinusKerner who, in 1857, had published a popular book of poems, each of which was inspired by an accidental
inkblot.
The interpretation of a Rorschach record is a complex process. It requires a wealth of knowledge concerning personality
dynamics generally as well as considerable experience with the Rorschach method specifically. Proficiency as a
Rorschach administrator can be gained within a few months. However, even those who are able and qualified to
become Rorschach interpreters usually remain in a "learning stage" for a number of years.
The above picture is called “Father Card”

Rorschach theorists equate your description of the figure with your perception of your father or male
authority figures. Good/Common Answers: A standing figure (man, bear, gorilla)
A Bad Answer Would Be: To describe the figure as menacing in any way, i.e. a monster, or attacking gorilla
There are many scientists who research on this concept and some of the theories proposed are as follows:
Renaissance perspective theory: Brunelleschi
Resemblance Theory: James J. Gibson
Constructivism: E. H. Gontbrich
A Generative Theory: Margaret Hagen
A Gestalt Approach: Rudolf Arnheint
Picture Perception as Purposive Behavior; Julian Hochberg
A Mentatistic Approach: John M. Kennedy
A Semiotic Approach: James Knowlton
10 Symbol Systems Theory: Nelson Goodman
CopiRive Science: David Marr
Feel free to learn about these theories from the following link: http://www.aect.org/edtech/ed1/26/26-02.html
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PRACTICE 2
(a)
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b)
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Tutorial 5
5.0 Picture Perception

1. Look carefully at the given picture and write down a story on what you perceive from it in 100 words.
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Unit -4
Lecture-9
Para Jumbles
What are Para jumbles?
Para jumbles are jumbled paragraphs. Basically, you are given a paragraph - but the sentences are not in the right order. It's
up to you to untie this knot and rearrange the sentences so that they logically make sense.
Types of Para jumbles
1. In some Para jumbles, the candidates are given the introductory or opening sentence of the Para jumble and they’re
required to un-jumble the remaining sentences.
2. In some, the closing sentence is provided and the candidates are required to use this to rearrange the remaining sentences.
3. In some both the opening and closing (concluding) sentences are given. These are the easiest Para jumbles to solve.
4. In most cases, neither the opening nor the closing sentences are given. The candidate has to figure that out on his/her own.
These are the most challenging Para jumbles to solve.
How to approach Para jumbles?

Step 1: Read the Para jumble
Give the Para jumble a quick scan to get a ‘feel’ of what the passage is about. Find out the central theme of the Para
jumble. Understanding the central theme/dialogue helps determine the flow of the story which goes a long way in
helping you piece the paragraph together in the right order.
Step 2: Look for the opening sentence

In a Paragraph, the opening sentence usually introduces a person/place/concept/premise/committee and establishes a scene.
Whereas a closing sentence is the one that has a conclusion. Closing sentences/conclusions start with words like ‘therefore’,
‘thus’, ‘hence’, etc. and contain advises/recommendations/suggestions/summaries.
It’s a good idea to find both opening and closing sentences. Once these two are determined, finding the other sentences
becomes easy.
Example:
a. She was waiting for her train
b. Geeta was at the railway station
c. She was going back home on a vacation
In the above example, clearly, the second option (b) is the introductory/opening sentence. The passage talks about train,
railway station, vacation etc. The first sentence must essentially introduce the person who’s catching the train to go on a
vacation. Sentences ‘a’ and ‘c’ refer to the person as ‘she’, which is an indication that these aren’t the opening
sentences. Therefore, option ‘b’is the opening sentence; it introduces the person ‘Geeta’ and the place ‘Railway station’.
Hence, the right order of the above example would be: b, a, c.
Step 3: Weave the sentences together

Once you’re done finding the opening (introductory) and closing (concluding) sentences, start weaving the other sentences
together based on factors like activities/time/chronology/any other sequence.
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Activities: Some Para jumbles talk about activities. Determining the order of the activities will help you solve the question.
Start by finding out the initial activity. This will enable you to unfold a sequence that follows the flow of the story, thereby
helping you put the sentences in the right sequence.
Example:
a. She sells cupcakes throughout the day and returns home at 6 in the evening.
b. She has her dinner at 8 and goes to sleep at 11.
c. Maria has a cupcake business.
d. She makes the cupcakes at home in the morning.
Central theme: Activities of a person who owns a cupcake business.
Activity tracking:
Sentence ‘c’ is clearly the opening sentence, since it introduces the person ‘Maria’ and her ‘Cupcake business’.
The Parajumble talks about her routine, i.e. from morning to evening. Therefore, sentence ‘d’ comes second as it talks about
her morning activity (‘in the morning’ is an indicator).
This is followed by sentence ‘a’, which talks about her activity throughout the day.
The concluding sentence is sentence ‘b’. It talks about Marias activities after coming back home (‘dinner’ and ‘goes to sleep
at 11’ are indicators of a conclusion).
Therefore, the right order of the Parajumble is: c, d, a, b.
Abbreviations and full-forms: Some Para jumbles contain a sentence with a full-form and other sentence(s) with its
abbreviations. Here the sentence with the full-form comes first, followed by the sentence with the abbreviations.
Abbreviations are always introduced with its full-form in preceding sentences.
Example:
a. The CPU carries out the instructions given by the computer program.
b. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is an important part of a computer.
c. CPUs are considered the heart and brains of a computer.
In the above example, sentence ‘a’ and ‘c’ contain the abbreviations ‘CPU’ and sentence ‘b’ contains the full-form of CPU.
Therefore, sentence ‘b’ comes before sentence ‘a’ and ‘c’. Right order: b, a, c.
Ideas and examples: Ideas always precede the examples. Some Para jumbles contain ideas, and examples of those
ideas. The examples always follow the ideas.
Example:
a. Like, the continental shelf, continental slope, abyssal plain and oceanic trenches.
b.The Ocean floor is divided into many parts.
In the above example, sentence ‘a’ contains examples and sentence ‘b’ introduces an idea. Hence sentence ‘b’ comes
before sentence ‘a’.
Connectives and Transition words: Connectives and transition words are logical connectors of different sentences.
Connectives are words that connect two sentences together. Some examples of connectives are: After, When, Because,
Alternatively, Although, Though, Yet, Until, Since, Etc.
Transition words, are words used by the author to shift one idea in a sentence to another (ushering a change). Some examples
of
transition words are: However, Besides, Nevertheless, etc.
Sentences that start with a connective or a transition word are almost never introductory sentences. They always
refer to activities/events/people mentioned/introduced in the preceding sentences.
Articles: The articles ‘The’, ‘A’ and ‘An’ too help in finding out the order of the sentences. ‘The’ is a definite article which is used
before something/someone specific or when something/someone has already been introduced in the previous sentences.
Whereas, ‘A’ and ‘An’ articles are used when something is being introducedfor the first time and are also used when stating
general facts. A sentence containing ‘A’ and ‘An’ could be an introductory sentence.
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Example:
a. The girl had unusually long hair.
b. There was a girl, living in a tall tower.
c. And the tower was the tallest in town and hidden behind a dense foliage.
In the above example, article ‘A’ is used to introduce the girl and the tower and article ‘The’ is used while mentioning the girl
and the tower in options ‘a’ and ‘c’ respectively. Hence, option ‘b’ comes before opening ‘a’ and option ‘c’. Option ‘c’ contains
the connective ‘And’ which is used to connect two sentences, hence ‘c’ comes after ‘a’. Right order: b, a, c.
Pronouns: Pronouns (He, she, it, him, her, their, etc.) are used in place of a person/place/thing that has already been
introduced in one of the preceding sentences. So, if you find a pronoun in a sentence, it probably isn’t an opening
sentence.Example:
a. Ajay is a good singer.
b. He has learnt vocal music for 12 years.
In the above example, option ‘b’ contains the pronoun ‘he’. Whoever ‘he’ is, should essentially be introduced in one of the
preceding sentences. Option ‘a’ introduces a person ‘Ajay’, hence, ‘he’ mentioned in option ‘b’ refers to ‘Ajay’. Option ‘a’ comes
before option ‘b’.
Adjectives: Sometimes, adjectives can help solve Para jumbles too, especially comparative adjectives like better, worse,
taller, shorter, etc.
Example:
a. Rahul’s performance was good.
b. Rahul and Ashok danced on the same song.
c. Ashok’s performance was better.
In the above example, the adjectives ‘good’ and ‘better’ are used. ‘Better’ always comes after good (Good -> Better -> Best),
hence, the option containing ‘good’ comes before the option containing ‘better. Right order: b, a, c.
Time sequence approach: Sometimes Para jumbles contain a time sequence, i.e., words indicating a time sequence, such as,
dates, years, or words like, before, later, after, when, etc. Notice these words and be aware of them, as they can help
rearrange the sentences according to the right time sequence.
Example:
a. Hemant eats his dinner at 8pm sharp.
b. Post-homework, he is allowed to watch TV for half an hour.
c. After that, he does his homework.
In the above example, the words ‘after’ and ‘post’ denote time sequence. Hence, options ‘c’ and ‘b’ come after option ‘a’.
Right order: a, c, b.
Elimination technique: If you’re running out of time, you can use the elimination technique to arrive at the right option
quickly. After finding the opening and closing sentences, you can eliminate options which contain the wrong order of the
opening and closing sentences.
Example:
a. He sells newspapers in the morning.
b. Ramesh is a hardworking person.
c. He takes tuition for primary school children in the evening.
d. He then goes to work as a personal assistant to a businessman.
In the above examples, option ‘b’ is the opening sentence and option ‘c’ is the closing sentence. Therefore, any option that
doesn’t contain option ‘b’ in the beginning and option ‘c’ in the end can be eliminated.
Conclusions: Conclusions generally start with words like, thus, therefore, hence, in conclusion, etc. and are
usually advises/summaries/recommendations/suggestions. Finding the opening and closing sentences makes it easier to
connect them with the other options.
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Step 4: Re-read the sentence to ensure continuity

Once you have weaved the sentences in the right order, re-read the passage to make sure that it makes sense
grammatically and logically. The right order should have a continuity in the flow of the sentences, and should also make
the sentence meaningful.
NOTE: The list given below is not a comprehensive list. You must collect the signal words while reading.
It is not necessary to memorize the entire list. Awareness of concept and type of words is enough for
solving parajumble puzzle.
Type Descriptions Word List

Cause and Effect Look for words or accordingly
Signals phrases explicitly in order to
indicating that one because
thing causes another or so...that
logically determines consequently
another. therefore
given
thus
hence
when...then
if...then
Support Signal Look for the words or furthermore
Words phrases supporting a additionally
given sentences. These also
words containing and
sentences will not be too
the opening sentence. as well
These sentences will besides
follow immediately the indeed
sentence supported. likewise
moreover
Contrast Signals (Precisely and clearly albeit
(Explicit) expressed or readily nevertheless
observable; leaving although
nothing to implication.) nonetheless
but
Look for function notwithstanding
words or phrases despite
(conjunctions, sentence on the contrary
adverbs, etc.) that even though
explicitly indicate a on the other hand
contrast between one however
idea and another, rather than
setting up a reversal of a In contrast
thought. still
In spite of
while
Instead of
yet
Contrast Signals (Implied though not anomaly
(Implicit) directly expressed; anomalous
inherent in the nature anomalously
of something) illogic
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illogical
Look out for words illogically
which indicates contrast incongruity
or turn a situation or incongruous
something unexpected incongruously
possibly even irony
unwanted, has ironic
occurred. ironically
paradox
paradoxical
paradoxically
surprise
surprising
surprisingly
unexpected
unexpectedly
Time sequence Indicates sequential Before
indicating words relationship after
later
when
PRACTISE EXERCISE:
TYPE 1
The sentences given in each question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labeled with a letter.
Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the given choices to construct a coherent paragraph.
A. The two neighbors never fought each other.

Fights involving three male fiddler crabs have been recorded, but the status of the participants was unknown.
They pushed or grappled only with the intruder.
We recorded 17 cases in which a resident that was fighting an intruder was joined by an immediate neighbor, an ally.
We therefore tracked 268 intruder males until we saw them fighting a resident male.
1. BEDAC 2. DEBAC 3. BDCAE 4. BCEDA
A. He felt justified in bypassing Congress altogether on a variety of moves.

At times he was fighting the entire Congress.
Bush felt he had a mission to restore power to the presidency.
Bush was not fighting just the democrats.
Representative democracy is a messy business, and a CEO of the White House does not like a legislature of second
guessers and time wasters.
1. CAEDB 2. DBAEC 3. CEADB 4. ECDBA
A. In the west, Allied Forces had fought their way through southern Italy as far as Rome.
In June 1944 Germany’s military position in World War Two appeared hopeless.
In Britain, the task of amassing the men and materials for the liberation of northern Europe had been completed.
The Red Army was poised to drive the Nazis back through Poland.
The situation on the eastern front was catastrophic.
1. EDACB 2. BEDAC 3. BDECA 4. CEDAB
A. Experts such as Larry Burns, head of research at GM, reckon that only such a full hearted leap will allow the world to cope
with the mass motorisation that will one day come to China or India.
But once hydrogen is being produced from biomass or extracted from underground coal or made from water, using nuclear
or renewable electricity, the way will be open for a huge reduction in carbon emissions from the whole system.
In theory, once all the bugs have been sorted out, fuel cells should deliver better total fuel economy than any existing
engines.
That is twice as good as the internal combustion engine, but only five percentage points better than a diesel hybrid.
Allowing for the resources needed to extract hydrogen from hydrocarbon, oil, coal or gas, the fuel cell has an efficiency of
30 %.
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1. CEDBA 2. CEBDA 3. AEDBC 4. ACEBD

5. A. But this does not mean that death was the Egyptians’ only preoccupation.
B. Even papyri come mainly from pyramid temples.
C. Most of our traditional sources of information about the Old Kingdom are monuments of the rich like pyramids and
tombs.
D. Houses in which ordinary Egyptians lived have not been preserved, and when most people died they were buried in
simple graves.
E. We know infinitely more about the wealthy people of Egypt than we do about the ordinary people, as most monuments
were made for the rich.
1. CDBEA 2. ECDAB 3. EDCBA 4. DECAB
TYPE 2:
Sentences given in each question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. The first and last sentences are 1 and 6, and
the four in between are labelled A, B, C and D. Choose the most logical order of these four sentences from among the four given
choices to construct a coherent paragraph from sentences given below.
6. 1. Security inks exploit the same principle that causes the vivid and constantly changing colours of a film of oil on water.
A. When two rays of light meet each other after being reflected from these different surfaces, they have each travelled
slightly different distances.
B. The key is that the light is bouncing off two surfaces, that of the oil and that of the water layer below it.
C. The distance the two rays travel determines which wavelengths, and hence colours, interfere constructively and look
bright.
D. Because light is an electromagnetic wave, the peaks and troughs of each ray then interfere either constructively, to
appear bright, or destructively, to appear dim.
6. Since the distance the rays travel changes with the angle as you look at the surface, different colours look bright from
different viewing angles.
1. ABCD 2. BADC 3. BDAC 4. DCAB
7.1. Commercially reared chicken can be unusually aggressive, and are often kept in darkened sheds to prevent them pecking
at each other.
A. The birds spent far more of their time—up to a third—pecking at the inanimate objects in the pens, in contrast to birds in
other pens which spent a lot of time attacking others.
B. In low light conditions, they behave less belligerently, but are more prone to ophthalmic disorders and respiratory
problems.
C. In an experiment, aggressive head-pecking was all but eliminated among birds in the enriched environment.
D. Altering the birds’ environment, by adding bales of wood-shavings to their pens, can work wonders.
6. Bales could diminish aggressiveness and reduce injuries; they might even improve productivity, since a happy chicken is
a productive chicken.
1. DCAB 2. CDBA 3. DBAC 4. BDCA
8.1. The concept of a ‘nation-state’ assumes a complete correspondence between the boundaries of the nation and the
boundaries of those who live in a specific state.
a. Then there are members of national collectivities who live in other countries, making a mockery of the concept.
b. There are always people living in particular states who are not considered to be (and often do not consider
themselves to be) members of the hegemonic nation.
c. Even worse, there are nations which never had a state or which are divided across several states.
d. This, of course, has been subject to severe criticism and is virtually everywhere a fiction.
6. However, the fiction has been, and continues to be, at the basis of nationalist ideologies.
1. DBAC 2. ABCD 3. BACD 4. DACB
9. 1. In the sciences, even questionable examples of research fraud are harshly punished.
A. But no such mechanism exists in the humanities—much of what humanities researchers call research does not lead
to results that are replicable by other scholars.
B. Given the importance of interpretation in historical and literary scholarship, humanities researchers are in a
position where they can explain away deliberate and even systematic distortion.
C. Mere suspicion is enough for funding to be cut off; publicity guarantees that careers can be effectively ended.
D. Forgeries which take the form of pastiches in which the forger intersperses fake and real parts can be defended as
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mere
mistakes or aberrant misreading.
6. Scientists fudging data have no such defences.
1. BDCA 2. ABDC 3. CABD 4. CDBA
10. 1. Horses and communism were, on the whole, a poor match.

A .Fine horses bespoke the nobility the party was supposed to despise.
B. Communist leaders, when they visited villages, preferred to see cows and pigs.
C. Although a working horse was just about tolerable, the communists were right to be wary.
D. Peasants from Poland to the Hungarian Pustza preferred their horses to party dogma.
6. “A farmer’s pride is his horse; his cow may be thin but his horse must be fat,” went a Slovak saying.
1. ACDB 2. DBCA 3. ABCD 4. DCBA
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Tutorial 6
Verbal Ability-I PARA JUMBLE PEV106
6.1 Beginner exercise:
# Exercise 1
Rearrange the sentences:
Q1.
1). Mr D Gautam's personality sets him apart the rest.
2). Nothing is too small for his attention
3). He has a fanatical devotion to detail.
4). This is what makes him a different guy.
A. 1324
B. 1234
C. 2341
D. 2134
Q2.
1). His political career came to an abrupt end with China's military operation.
2). He attracted as repelled.
3). He was responsible for the debacle.
4). A man of paradoxes, Menon remained an enigma.
A. 4312
B. 1342
C. 4213
D. 4132
Q3.
1). Sony has been valued at around Rs 800 crore.
2). IBM is a leading consultancy firm.
3). This valuation has been done by IBM.
4). They have relied on the excess value approach.
A. 4123
B. 2143
C. 1234
D. 1324
Q4.
1). If you are used to having your stimulation come in from outside, your mind never develops its own habits of thinking and
reflecting
2). Marx thought that religion was the opiate because it soothed people’s pain and suffering and prevented them from rising in
rebellion
3). If Karl Marx was alive today, he would say that television is the opiate of the people.
4). Television and similar entertainments are even more of an opiate because of their addictive tendencies.
A. 2134
B. 1423
C. 2431
D. 3241
Q5.
1) 1971 war changed the political geography of the subcontinent
2) Despite the significance of the event. There has been no serious book about the conflict
3) Surrender at Dacca aims to fill this gap
4) It also profoundly altered the geo-strategic situation in South-East Asia
A. 1324
B. 3142
C. 2143
D. 1423
Q6.
1). The trade union declared a strike.
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2). Unemployment touched 20 per cent.

3). The finance minister put a cap of $ 2000 a month on cash withdrawals.
4). The Argentines withdrew 2.3$ billion from their bank accounts.
A. 3214
B. 4312

C. 3421
D. 4321
Q7.
1). Behaviour is just the evidence for mind, not its very nature.
2). The view that a mind can be reduced to patterns in behaviour is a hypothesis long abandoned.
3). Thus, you can act as if you are in pain and not really be in pain.
4). The turning test, one may say, is seriously flawed.
A. 1324
B. 2134
C. 4213
D. 4123
Q8.
1). The impetus for change in cargo handling, after years of operational inefficiency has come from new private sector facilitators.
2). Other ports, both major and minor, have spurred into action.
3). And the government agrees this is having a cascading effect on the functioning of other ports.
4). In terms of cargo handling efficiency, some of India's ports have lately undergone a sea change.
A. 1324
B. 4132
C. 4213
D. 4312
# Exercise 2
Directions: Read the following group of sentences. The 1st and the last sentences are numbered 1 and 6, and the rest are numbered
P, Q, R and S. Arrange these four sentences in proper order to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence.
Q1.
1. At the age of eighteen, Gandhi went to college but remained there for only part of the year.
P. Soon after this, he was advised to go to England, to study law.
Q. Studies did not interest him and he did not do well.
R. It was difficult for him to leave India and go to a foreign land where he would have to eat and drink with
foreigners.
S. This was seen as a problematic idea.
6. This was against his religion and most of his relatives were against his going.
1. QSRP 2. QPSR 3. QPRS 4. QSPR
Q2.
1. The list of horror goes on.
P. And one in every five are malnourished.
Q. This is because local clinics, ill-equipped to deal with even small things, either don’t work or simply don’t exist.
R. Nobody has been able to figure out a way to reduce the speed that is at the root of India’s overpopulation problems: a baby born
every second.
S. There is such an acute shortage of treatment centres that premier hospitals are choked with patients who show up to treat their
coughs and colds.
6. Kalyan Banerjee, a consultant at the hospital says that he is worried.
1. PQRS 2. SQRP 3. QSPR 4. QSRP
Q3.
1. Countless sea animals lived in the ocean millions of years ago.
P. Changed them into tiny drops of oil.
Q. When they died, they sank to the ocean bed
R. The weight of water and mud pressing down on the sludge
S. And decayed into sludge.
6. This is how we got oil.
1. QPSR 2. QRPS 3. QSRP 4. QRSP
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Q4.
1. Unemployment is a serious problem of India.

P. It is becoming more and more serious day by day.
Q. India has the population of about 1.20 billion. Many of the Indians are jobless.
R. And this phenomenon of joblessness is giving rise to various problems like poverty.
S. Every able-bodied man and woman must get employment.
6. If not, the problem of unemployment will create difficulties for the development of the country.
1. PRQS 2. PQRS 3. RQPS 4. QPRS
Q5.
1. Six robbers entered a Nationalised bank today at 9.50 a.m.
P. One group kept an eye on the customers.
Q. The assistant manager was forced to unlock the vault.
R. The other group held the Manager at gun point.
S. They cut off the telephone lines and deactivated the burglar alarm.
6. The whole operation was over in 20 minutes.
1. SPRQ 2. PSRQ 3. PQSR 4. QPRS
Q6.
1. Duryodhana was a wicked prince.
P. Duryodhana specially hated Bhima.
Q. Among the Pandavas, Bhima was extraordinarily strong and powerful.
R. One day Bhima made Duryodhana fall from a tree from which Duryodhana was stealing fruits.
S. He did not like that Pandavas should be loved and respected by people of Hastinapur.
6. This enraged Duryodhana so much that he began thinking of removing Bhima from his way.
1. SQPR 2. PQRS 3. QPRS 4. SPQR
Q7.
1. Time is the most powerful element in life
P. One day while keeping the old books in a box
Q. But its beauty lies in its eternal movement.
R. It flees with the blink of an eye.
S. I found a very old photo album.
6. Nostalgia took me to the depths of past
1. RPQS 2. SRQP 3. RQPS 4. PSQR
Q8.
1. A teacher is called the builder of a nation.
P. with qualities of mind and heart
Q. there are many teachers in our school
R. The profession of teaching needs men and women
S. I have a great respect for all of them
6. Yet I have a special liking for miss. Y
1. RPQS 2. PSRQ 3. QRSP 4. PQRS
Q9.
1. Studying is the main source of knowledge.
P. Therefore, the habit of reading books should be cultivated and
Q. Books are indeed never-failing friends of man.
R. The study of good books broadens our outlook.
S. A student should never confine herself to school books only
6. She should not miss the pleasure of drama and poetry.
1. SQRP 2. QRPS 3. PRSQ 4. PSRQ
Q10.
1. Nature has bestowed man with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
P. It’s the result of this eagerness to know
110
Q. is usually hampered by our laziness
R. but this urge to explore and know more

S. that we are enjoying so many boons of science today
6. Knowledge is desirable and should be achieved at any cost.
1. PQRS 2. RSPQ 3. PRSQ 4. PSRQ

Q11.
1. Rani Padmini
Verbal Ability-Iwas a Rajput queen. PEV106
P. Allaudin Khilji invaded India and reached the gates of Chittor, the capital city of the Rajputs.
Q. But the Rajputs under Rani Padmini fought like tigers.
R. Khilji attacked Chittor again, and rushed into the fort only to be stunned.
S. Khilji desired to capture Chittor and its beautiful queen, Rani Padmini.
6. The Rani and the other women had burnt themselves alive.
1. PQSR 2. PSQR 3. SQRP 4. SRQP
Q12.
1. Our life is full of ups and downs.
P. They too had problems in their lives.
Q. When we face failures, we are often disheartened.
R. They fought against all odds and achieved success.
S. The lives of great men inspire us.
6. By following them we can overcome crises.
1. SQPR 2. PSQR 3. SPRQ 4. QSPR
Q13.
1. We should plan our leisure carefully.
P. The activity we choose should make us happy.
Q. We should choose some interesting and useful activity.
R. It should increase our confidence.
S. We should then work at it during our leisure.
6. That is the way to be healthy, wealthy and happy.
1. PRQS 2. QSPR 3. QRPS 4. QPSR
Q14.
1. In the first years on his reign, Ashoka was an autocrat.
P. The effect over the slaughter on his mind was profound.
Q. He was successful but thousands were slain in the battle.
R. About the ninth year he decided to conquer Kalinga.
S. This caused a sudden change of his heart.
6. And joined the Buddhist community and became a monk.
1. RPQS 2. RSPQ 3. RQSP 4. RQPS
Q15.
1. For gourmet lovers the pumpkin mousse should be tasty and invigorating.
P. Continue to bake till the ingredients become soft but not mushy.
Q. Peel the pumpkin and slice it.
R. Pressure cook for 20 minutes.
S. Add maida and sugar to the pumpkin.
6. Serve with hot pumpkin sauce.
1. RPQS 2. SRPQ 3. QPRS 4. QSRP
6.2 Intermediate Exercise:

# Exercise 1
Rearrange the following sentences:
Q1.
1). Even as Indians leftists think Bill Clinton is coming to take over India, Indian companies are preparing to take over American ones
on a gargantuan scale.
2). Now Infosys and Wipro propose of Rs 54,000 crore each.
3). To put this in perspective, recall that when Chandan sold his Parle brands to Coca-Cola amidst much swadeshi wringing of hands,
he got a reported Rs 200 crore.
111
4). Infosys and Wipro, our two most glamorous infotech companies, both want automatic permission from FIPB to take over foreign
companies worth - hold your breath - $ 15 billion each.
A. 2341
B. 1432
C. 1342
D. 2413

Q2.
1). In his first inaugural address he concluded with an eloquent plea; "Ask not what your country can do for you--- ask what you can
do for your
Verbal country."
Ability-I PEV106
2). John F. Kennedy, Democratic victor in the election of 1960, was at 43, the youngest man ever to win the presidency.
3). On television, in a series of debates with opponent Richard Nixon, he appeared able, articulate and energetic.
4). In the campaign, he spoke of moving aggressively into the new decade, for 'the New Frontier is here whether we seek it or not'.
A. 4123
B. 2341
C. 3124
D. 2134
Q3.
1). Risk-stemming from fluctuations in exchange rate loans hover constantly on the horizon of foreign investment.
2). In view of the higher risk, a firm contemplating foreign investment would naturally expect a higher rate of return.
3). A multinational company may be accused of 'profiteering' even when it may simply be following the sound financial practice of
asking for a higher rate of return commensurate with risks characterizing the project.
4). In addition, a foreign investment is subject to discriminatory treatment and selection control in various forms.
A.. 1423
B. 3421
C. 1324
D. 2134
Q4.
1) I think even more urgent than privatizing existing state-owned firms is to allow the entry of private firms into sectors earlier
reserved for the state.
2). Indian thinking has traditionally been encumbered by a zero-sum view of the economy.
3). In reality, economic life is full of complementarities.
4). A government that facilitated private business was assumed to be working against the interest of the workers and the public
sector.
A. 4312
B. 1432
C. 4123
D. 2431
Q5.
1). Food manufactures spend more on advertising than any other manufacturing group and the nation's grocery stores rank first
among all retailers.
2). Food product lead in expenditures for network and spot television advertisements, discount coupons, trading stamps, contests,
and other forms of premium advertising.
3). Foods are overwhelming the most advertised group of all consumer products in the U.S.
4). In other media- newspapers, magazines, newspaper supplements, billboard and radio, food advertising expenditures rank near
the top.
A. 3421
B. 3241
C. 3142
D. 4132
Q6.
A. People started fearing a famine.
B. Monsoon turned out to be unusually abundant and the danger was averted.
C. The monsoon failed and water tanks became almost empty.
D. So, no grain could be sown by the farmers in their fields.
E. Farmers looked anxiously for the next monsoon.
a) CADBE b) CDAEB c) AEDCB d) DABCE
Q7.
A. Economists all over the world have expressed anxiety in this regard.
112
B. As a result, Indian people have been subjected to high cost of living and inflation.
C. Indian economy has not shown desirable growth in the recent years.
D. Grim global economic scenario has also contributed to this problem and it seems a quick fix solution is yet far away.
E. But, one of the primary reasons for such a situation has been Indian government's inability to take tough decisions.
a) CDAEB b) ACDBE c) DEABC d) EADCB

Q8.
A. They fled to the higher ground.
B. Soon
Verbal the floods retired and the villagers were able to return.
Ability-I PEV106
C. The river overflowed its banks.
D. The rain fell steadily for several days.
E. The terrified villagers abandoned their homes.
a) CEBAD b) DEBCA c) DCEAB d) EDABC
# Exercise 2
Directions: Read the following group of sentences. The 1st and the last sentences are numbered 1 and 6, the rest are numbered P,
Q, R and S. Arrange these four sentences in proper order to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence.
Q1.
1. Deforestation means cutting down trees in a large scale.
P. They make their house in forestland cutting down trees. As a result, trees are being cutting down rapidly.
Q. Today it has become a global problem. This problem is increasing day by day.
R. There are many bad effects of deforestation on men and animals.
S. There are many causes of deforestation. Population explosion is the main cause of deforestation. People use wood in different
purposes.
6. Deforestation causes global warming. It hampers ecological balance. It brings about various natural disasters. Deforestation also
causes great harm to the animals.
1. SRPQ 2. PQRS 3. QSPR 4. PRQS
Q2.
1. Digital India, a much ambitious programme, was launched on 1st of July (Wednesday) in 2015 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor
Stadium, Delhi.
P. It was launched in the presence of various top industrialists (Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry, RIL Chairman and Managing
Director Mukesh Ambani, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji, etc).
Q. Various events have been held in the presence of Information Technology companies to cover 600 districts in the country.
R. In the meeting, the participants shared their ideas of bringing digital revolution to the masses of India from cities to villages.
S. Also, various schemes regarding this plan have been unveiled (worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore) such as Digital Locker, e-health, e-
education, national scholarship portal, e-sign, etc.
6. Digital India programme is a big step taken by the government of India to make this country a digitally empowered country.
1. PRQS 2. QPRS 3. PQRS 4. SPQR
Q3.
1. Drug addiction means the condition of being unable to stop taking illegal harmful substances that some people smoke or inject.
P. The main reason behind it is that
Q. The younger generation is more curious about it
R. But frequent taking of these drugs leads a man to certain death. Among the addicted people, the young generation is larger in
number.
S. Drugs like heroine, opium, marijuana, morphine, cocaine, phensidyl give exciting feelings to those who take these
6. So, whatever they see harmful or useful, they are the first to taste.
1. RPQS 2. SPQR 3. SRPQ 4. RSQP
Q4.
1. Michelle Obama said that “For me, education is power; it has never been simply a policy issue for me-- it's personal”.
P. It’s a global effort to give these girls the education they need to fulfill their potential and lift up their families, communities, and
countries.
Q. I had the honor of meeting Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head just for trying to go to school,
R. I saw that the terrorists who nearly killed her were trying to silence her voice, snuff out her ambitions, and take away her power.
S. That's why I decided to work on global girls' education of the ‘Let Girls Learn’ initiative as the first lady.
6. Because right now, there are in every corner of the globe- girls who are so bright, hardworking and hungry to learn who are not in
school.
113
1. RPQS 2. SPRQ 3. QRSP 4. PQRS
Q5.
1. So who is the man Japan has put in charge of its Olympic centerpiece?
P. Kengo Kuma the architect left the corporate world to teach at Columbia University, in New York, his agency today employs more
than 150 people globally

Q. His work is defined by minimalism, an innovative use of natural materials and a humble quality, which both exudes serenity and
holds the eye.
R. And while
Verbal his Olympic stadium will seat thousands of spectators, some of his most respected projects,
Ability-I PEV106
S. Such as his contributions to Commune by the Great Wall-- an award-winning boutique retreat outside Beijing -- are on a much
smaller scale.
6. Kuma says he is happy working at both ends of the spectrum.
1. RPQS 2. SPRQ 3. QRSP 4. PQRS
Q6.
1. Mechanical watches and automobiles have a lot in common.
P. An electronic watch might keep time to the hundredth of a second, but that's nowhere near as rewarding as that quiet moment
when you wind the crown on a mechanical watch each evening before you go to bed.
Q. It's very satisfying to double-clutch a non-synchronized manual gearbox on a Mercer, a Bugatti, or a Bentley, or quickly operate a
gated shifter on a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, or Porsche.
R. You either get them or you don't.
S. A contemporary twin clutch paddle-shift transmission might be faster than a conventional manual gearbox, but I don't think it's
more satisfying to drive.
6. I enjoy the mechanicalness. It's that simple.
1. RPQS 2. RPSQ 3. QRSP 4. PQRS
Q7.
1. India is a vast and beautiful land, however the beauty and the goodwill of this great nation gets spoilt with the kind of corruption
that is happening in India.
P. Money and power has ruled men and it has come to a stage where if common man needs any kind of help from the government
sector or business arena, you too have to end up taking the corrupt route.
Q. Almost in every sector, one could find corruption happening and corrupt people growing in great abundance day by day.
R. And for any kind of thing to happen, one has to know the back door and spend great amount of money to get the work done.
S. Though lots of speeches go around speaking about morality, behind the doors it is money that rules.
6. In every sector bureaucrats and politicians influence with power and money in such a manner that even the talented and most
efficient people in the respective sectors would not be surviving or recruited for that matter.
1. QPSR 2. PSQR 3. SQPR 4. RSQP
Q8.
1. Poverty means “dearth of food, homelessness, very low or zero annual income”.
P. Their only mistake is that, they have born in this selfish world, where people snatch the right of innocents. No doubt there are
also many good people who are working for the poor.
Q. This scourge of poverty has ruined many families. Many people are miles away from their loved ones and are compelled to live in
plight.
R. There are thousand and lacs of humans who died every year just because of this scourge of poverty.
S. Poverty is the living below the average line of income.
6. But the cruel ones are more in number who does not care about the rights of other humans. The poverty in the world is only due
to the unethical behaviours of rich and selfish people.
1. QRPS 2. PRQS 3. PQRS 4. SRQP
Q9.
1. While Sharon’s own contemporaries like Rabin and Peres were able to understand
P. Of course, after assuming office he has made the right choices about carrying forward the peace process.
Q. But how seriously can we take him when the Israeli army has been deployed
R. Mr. Sharon has shied away from such ideas.

S. and appreciate the need to move away from confrontational polities to that of dialogue and compromise,
6. in full strength to deal with the situation?
1. SRPQ 2. PQSR 3. QPSR 4. SRQP
Q10.
1. Education is the most important factor for the development of human civilization.
114
P. In order to uplift human society, each should be capable to understand others.

Q. A country needs different kinds of man powers such as doctors, engineers, teachers, administrative officials, economists, judges
and other technical hands.
R. It provides the nation with man powers, promotes national unity and uplifts public awareness.
S. Education provides the nation with those hands. If people are educated, they can understand their duties and rights.
6. If people can understand each other, they will be united.

1. PSQR 2. RQPS 3. QRPS 4. RQSP
Q11.
1.The majority of children world-wide who are out of school are girls.
P. She marries much later in life and has fewer children.
Q. A working woman spends 90% of her income on the family.
R. An educated woman acquires self-respect and confidence.
S. Child mortality drops and fewer cases of mothers die in child-birth.
6. So when you educate a woman, she benefits cascade across the society.
1. PSQR 2. RPSQ 3. QRPS 4. QPRS
Q12.
1. Research conducted across several negotiators ranging from sales negotiators to purchase and labour negotiators shows that
average negotiators tend to counter propose more often than skilled negotiators.
P. Also, I may have suggested that my son buy a pair of trousers at a certain price whereas my son would have made a
counterproposal that he would rather buy two pairs at half price each.
Q. You may have suggested that you both come in on Saturday to finish the work and your colleague may have counter proposed
that you could stay back on Friday evening and finish it instead.
R. This happens in everyday life too.
S. Think back to the last time you were discussing completing an assignment with one of your colleagues.
6. A difference in the frequency of usage of counter proposing between skilled and average negotiators suggests that counter
proposing may not be, as effective one tends to think it would be
1. SRPQ 2. RSQP 3. SRQP 4. RQSP
Q13.
1. A bank deals in money and money substitutes; it also provides a range of financial services.
P. In addition, commissions may be charged for services rendered.
Q. In general, it covers its expenses and earns its profits by borrowing at one rate of interest and lending at a higher rate.
R. A bank is under an obligation to repay its customers’ balances either on demand or whenever the amounts credited to them
become due.
S. In a formal sense, it borrows or receives “deposits” from firms, individuals, and (sometimes) governments and, on the basis of
these resources, either makes “loans” to others or purchases securities, which are listed as “investments.”
6. For this reason, a bank must hold some cash (which for this purpose may include balances at a bankers’ bank, such as a central
bank) and keep a further proportion of its assets in forms that can readily be converted into cash.
1. PRSQ 2. SRPQ 3. QSPR 4. SQPR
Q14.
1. With regard to defence, the purpose of the military is to defend the nation and be prepared to do battle with its enemy.
P. So in the agrarian era, if you need to destroy the enemy’s productive capacity, what you want to do is bum his fields, or if you’re
really vicious, salt them.
Q. How do you do battle with your enemy?
R. The idea is to destroy the enemy’s productive capacity, and depending upon the economic foundation, that productive capacity is
different in each case.
S. But in the industrial era destroying the enemy’s productive capacity means bombing the factories which are located in the cities.
6. Now in the information era, destroying the enemy’s productive capacity means destroying the information infrastructure.
1. QRSP 2. QSRP 3. QRPS 4. QPRS
Q15.
1. In an abrupt surge of violence, ISIS insurgents killed around 200 people in Nigeria over the past week.
P. The group, which swore allegiance to the Islamic State in March, targeted mosques, a church and a restaurant.
Q. This was done in much the same fashion Islamists linked to IS have attacked people elsewhere in Africa and West Asia recently.
R. The message was loud and clear: that notwithstanding recent military setbacks, ISIS remains capable of carrying out large-scale
strikes.
S. The attacks have sent a deadly message to both the Nigerian government and the rest of the world.
6. From its beginnings in 2002 as a peaceful Islamist movement, it has transformed itself into one of Africa’s deadliest terror
machines.
115
1. PQSR 2. PQRS 3. SQPR 4. PSQR
6.3 Advance level:

# Exercise 1
DIRECTIONS: The question consists of five statements labelled A, B, C, D and E which when logically ordered form a coherent
passage. Choose the option that represents the most logical order.

Q1.
A. In simpler
Verbal terms, it is the Indian version of the Razzies.
Ability-I PEV106
B. The 3rd Golden Kela Awards will be hosted by Cyrus Broacha this year.
C. It was created in order to ridicule the bad performances and as a revenge for wasting our precious time and money on such
idiotic films.
D. The Golden Kela is held each year where awards are given for the year's worst in Bollywood.
E. It was created by Random magazine, India's longest running humor magazine in the year 2009.
a) DAECB b) BACDE c) ACEDB d) CEADB
Q2.
A. Despite the strong performance of the economy in 2010-11, the outlook for 2011-12 is clouded by stubborn and persistently
high inflation, and rising external risks.
B. The three key macroeconomic concerns before the Union Budget 2011-12 were high inflation, high current account deficit
(CAD), and fiscal consolidation.
C. Additionally, there was an expectation that the government would restart the reform process.
D. While the Budget sets a lower nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of 14%, we believe that the real GDP growth
target of 9% factored in the Budget is on the optimistic side.
E. The Budget has made an attempt to address all these issues, albeit through small steps.
a) BCEAD b) CBAED c) DACEB d) ADCEB
Q3.
A. These were mainly bulwarks against winter, the hoarded dregs of more plentiful seasons.
B. The first were the earliest mince pies, which saw cooked, shredded meat, dried fruits, alcohol with its preservative qualities and
perhaps a few spices or herbs, all encased in large pies.
C. Subsequently, people baked this into a kind of pie, adding bread-crumbs for bulk, eggs to bind it, and upping the dried fruits and
called it 'plum pudding'.
D. The pudding seems to have had two principal forerunners.
E. The second main pudding was a pottage or soup called frumenty, a fast dish involving cracked wheat, currants and almonds
which was ladled out at the start of a meal.
a) ECDAB b) BAECD c) DACEB d) DBAEC
Q4.
A. In a bid to placate the associate members, the ICC has decided to increase the number of participating teams to 16 in the
Twenty20 World Cup, as the game's governing body feels these countries will have a greater chance of competing on an equal
footing in cricket's shortest format.
B. It is convenient just now to forget that in the last edition of the tournament, considerable criticism was heaped on the
governing body for the inordinate length of the tournament, thanks in large part to the presence of the associates.
C. To be fair to the ICC, criticism of the move to restrict the number of teams in the next edition of the Cup is a case of damned if
you do, damned if you don't.
D. The ICC's decision to restrict the number of teams in the 2015 World Cup has evoked mixed responses, with opinion divided
among players of the full member teams.
E. Not surprisingly, the associate members aren't too thrilled about the idea of being kept out of cricket's showpiece event.
a) ECDAB b) BAECD c) DACEB d) DEACB
Q5.
A. Environment Education unit of Centre for Science & Environment has always been working towards providing easy to
understand reading material.
B. Their new publication on this subject is an attempt to lend teachers a helping hand.
C. It unfolds in two sections: Climate change: how to make sense of it all
D. And natural resources how to share & care.
E. However, they are introduced to students not as a paragraph to memorize but as an activity to do.
a) ACEBD b) DBCAE c) ABCDE d) BECAD
Q6.
A. A famous Japanese rock garden is at Ryoan-Ji in Northwest Kyoto, Japan.
116
B. The rocks of various sizes are arranged on small white pebbles in five groups, each comprising five, two, three, two, & three
rocks.
C. The garden is 30 meters long from East to West & 10 meters from north to south.
D. The garden contains 15 rocks arranged on the surface of white pebbles in such a manner that visitors can see only 14 of them at
once from whichever angle the garden is viewed.
E. There are no trees, just 15 irregularly shaped rocks of varying sizes, some arranged by gravel/sand that is raked everyday.

a) ACEBD b) CAEDB c) DEABC d) BADEC
Q7.
A. When they gathered together, the Buddha was completely silent & some speculated that perhaps the Buddha was tired or ill.
B. It is said that Gautam Buddha gathered his disciples one day for a Dharma talk.
C. One of the Buddha’s disciples, Mahakasyapa, silently gazed at the flower & broke into a broad smile.
D. The origin of Zen Buddhism is ascribed to the Flower Sermon, the earliest source which comes from the 14th century.
E. The Buddha silently held up & twirled a flower and twinkled his eyes, several of his disciples tried to interpret what this meant
though none of them was correct.
a) EBDAC b) DBAEC c) BCDEA d) CADBE
Q8.
A. The post-election crisis in Kenya remains unresolved.
B. The damage being done to the country's economy is severe: tourism, horticulture, and other industries that depend on trade
beyond the Kenyan border are reeling.
C. Many countries responded, providing essential humanitarian assistance and logistical support. For this, I and many other
Kenyans are very grateful.
D. Thousands of livelihoods, along with investments throughout the region, are threatened and collapsing.
E. As the situation in Kenya escalated with murders, rapes, burning of property, looting, and the displacement of thousands of
people throughout the country - the international community was urged to help.
a) AEDBC b) ABCED c) ACDEB d) ABDEC
Q9.
A. The US market will continue to be the dominant one in the foreseeable future. The rupee could become even stronger.
B. A greater recourse to hedging as well as striving for multi-currency revenue streams automatically suggests itself.
C. Already one company, TCS, by resorting to these methods extensively has turned in an above - average performance during the
first quarter.
D. Most IT companies have been grappling with more mundane problems such as a high level of attrition amidst rising wage costs
and inability to secure the right type and number of American visas.
E. The BPO industry and many medium-sized software exporters are reportedly operating on thin margins.
a) BCADE b) ABCDE c) DCBAE d) EDABC
Q10.
A. Last March, I was invited to present a paper on the topic of whether the mistakes of the 20th century would be repeated in the
21st century as well.
B. The economic crisis hadn't become grave then.
C. But today the world is in the midst of the biggest economic crisis since 1929.
D. The key difference between then and now is that the old power structures have finally disappeared.
E. Now even the US is pleading for financial help from China.
a) BCADE b) ABCDE c) CDEAB d) DEABC
Q11.
A. Thus, despite India's huge population, we have not done well in Olympic Games.
B. During the British period also, cricket remained popular in India.
C. Cricket has been an extremely popular game in India for quite some time now.
D. It is time our government and corporate fraternity pay due attention to other games/sports and we redeem our national pride
in Olympic Games.
E. However, due to this reason, other games/sports did not receive the required attention they deserve.
a) EACDB b) BDACE c) CBEAD d) DCEAB
# Exercise 2
Q1.
Directions: The following five sentences have to be arranged in the proper sequence, so as to form a meaningful paragraph. On the
basis of your sequencing, answer the questions that follow:
117
a) As this trend continued across various school boards 100% cut-offs stopped raising eyebrows. Now cut-offs even soar ‘beyond’
100%.
b) So when CBSE gave as many as 16 extra marks in the class XII maths exam in 2016, students with 77 may have ended up getting
93 marks. This is not only unjust to the truly distinguished students but it can hurt more average students as well, by giving them a
false sense of academic worth.
c) This policy means that upon complaints that a question paper is too difficult, the board recommends extra marks for examinees.

d) In 2011, a Delhi University college sparked a major outcry when it set a 100% cut-off for a course.
e) What promises welcome relief from this unsustainably feverish trend is CBSE and other school boards’ effort to end the marks
moderation policy, which has inflated board exam results without corresponding gain in learning.
f) But the university vice-chancellor explained this in the context of how the number of Central Board of Secondary Education class
XII students with more than 95% marks had risen dramatically over the previous year.
1. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the SECOND sentence?
A) e
B) a
C) b
D) f
E) c
2. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the FIRST sentence?

A) a
B) c
C) e
D) d
E) b
3. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence?
A) a
B) e
C) b
D) c
E) d
4. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the FIFTH sentence?

A) b
B) f
C) e
D) c
E) a
5. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the THIRD sentence?

A) e
B) b
C) a
D) c
E) f
Q2
Directions: The following five sentences have to be arranged in the proper sequence, so as to form a meaningful paragraph. On
the basis of your sequencing, answer the questions that follow.
a) That should be the job of an asset reconstruction company (ARC). Banks should be free to sell off their bad loans to ARCs for a
consideration, get recapitalised and move on to resume stalled lending.
b) The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to expand the strength and operational scope of the oversight committee for
restructuring bank debt is welcome but not adequate.
c) This is not what is ideal. The banks should not be burdened with the job of resolving bad loans.
d) The solution is to create a competitive market for stressed assets, with multiple so-called vulture funds in the fray along with the
ARCs now in play.
e) The committee proposes, under the current thinking, to give its nod to defaulting debtors who are taken up for resolution under
the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
f) The ARCs should decide how to restructure the companies underlying the assets they purchase. The difficulty in selling bad loans
to an ARC is fixing the haircut that the bank should take.
1. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the FIRST sentence?
A) a
118
B) b
C) c
D) e
E) f

2. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence?
A) c
B) d
C) f
D) a
E) e
3. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the FIFTH sentence?

A) e
B) c
C) f
D) b
E) a
4. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the FOURTH sentence?

A) a
B) b
C) c
D) d
E) e
5. After the rearrangement of sentences, what will be the THIRD sentence?

A) a
B) c
C) b
D) d
E) e
Q3
Directions: Rearrange the following seven sentences A, B, C, D, E, F and G in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph and
then answer the question given beside.
A. Providing benefits for women and children is a societal responsibility which can be funded in a large country through a
combination of general taxation and contributory payments.
B. This should further lead to closer scrutiny of the difficulties faced by unorganised workers who fall beyond the scope of any
worthwhile labour welfare measures.
C. The enhancement of paid maternity leave for women in the organised sector to 26 weeks from 12 is a progressive step.
D. The reported move to restrict even this meagre benefit to the first child for budgetary reasons is retrograde and must be given
up.
E. Positive though it is, the amended law is expected to cover only 1.8 million women, a small subset of women in the workforce.
F. For many poor millions in the unorganised sector, the only support available is a small conditional cash benefit of Rs. 6,000 during
pregnancy and lactation offered under the Maternity Benefit Programme.
G. It is wholly welcome that such a benefit is being introduced with an amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
1. Which of the following would be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?
A. F
B. A
C. E
D. B
E. G
2. Which of the following would be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?
A. D
B. A
C. E
D. G
E. B
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3. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

A. C
B. G
C. D
D. B

E. A
4. Which of the following would be the LAST BUT ONE sentence after rearrangement?
A. Ability-I
Verbal B PEV106
B. F
C. E
D. C
E. D
5. Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
A. E
B. G
C. F
D. A
E. D
Q4.
Directions: Rearrange the following six sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a
meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them
A. Voluntary Organizations may be registered as societies, as charitable trusts, or as non-profit companies under Central or
State laws.
B. The independence of Voluntary Organizations allows them to explore alternative paradigms of development to challenge
social, economic and political forces that may work against public interest and to find new ways to combat poverty,
deprivation and other social problems.
C. Over time, many of these laws and their corresponding rules have become complex and restrictive, thus leading to delays,
harassment and corruption.
D. It is therefore crucial that all laws, policies, rules and regulations relating to VOs categorically safeguard their autonomy,
while simultaneously ensuring their accountability.
E. Some States have adopted the Societies Registration Act (1860), with amendments, while others have independent laws.
F. Similarly, laws relating to charitable trusts vary across States.
1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?
A. B
B. C
C. A
D. E
E. F
2. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
A. F
B. A
C. E
D. D
E. C
3. Which of the following should be the Fifth sentence after rearrangement?
A. E
B. D
C. F
D. B
E. A
4. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence after rearrangement?
A. B
B. A
C. E
D. C
E. D
5. Which of the following should be the Fourth sentence after rearrangement?
A. A
B. D
120
C. F
D. B
E. E
Q5.

Rearrange the following six sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. Ability-I
Verbal Central banks attempt to stop severe inflation along with severe deflation in an attempt to keep the excessive growth of
PEV106
price to a minimum.
B. Consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power per unit of money a loss of real value in the medium of
exchange and unit of account within the economy.
C. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services.
D. It is termed a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.
E. It is therefore one of the biggest challenge for an economy like India which is on the path of growth and development ,
inflation is like a caterpillar that eats away the growing cream of an economy.
F. Inflation is as common in Indian economy as cold and flu in winter season.
1. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
E. E
2. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
E. F
3. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. F
E. E
4. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence after rearrangement?
A. A
B. F
C. C
D. D
E. E
5. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?
A. A
B. F
C. C
D. D
E. E
# Exercise 3
Q1.
Rearrange the following six sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
paragraph; then answer the questions given below them
A. The point I am making is that the Taj Mahal is actually a seven storeyed structure!
B. Also, below the plinth are two more storeys that reach down here to the river level.
C. The marble structure that we call the Taj Mahal is apparently three storeyed – to the casual observer.
D. They were sealed during Shah Jahan’s times and have never been opened since.
E. But, if we add the grave level below the ornamental cenotaph, as well as the large hall in the dome, we can recalculate that
the structure is actually five storeyed.
F. Behind this plinth is a row of arches and twenty four sealed rooms.
121
Which of the following should be the SIXTH sentence after rearrangement?

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
Q2.
Rearrange the following six sentences (A), (B), (C), (D),(E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then
answer
Verbal the questions given below them
Ability-I PEV106
A. The Red Brick Museum of Contemporary Art is located beyond Beijing’s fifth ring road, in an area so recently urbanized that
it is still called Hegezhuang Village.
B. But despite the unpromising setting, the museum looks as if it had been lowered into place that very morning.
C. The street up to it is wide and dusty.
D. The brickwork is shiny, the yellow lettering bright.
E. Opposite, two dogs lie panting outside the Orchard restaurant where workmen have put down their trowels and are sipping
tea in the midday heat.
F. Inside, the air-conditioning hums throughout the seven exhibition spaces and all the lights are on.
Which of the following would be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?
1. F
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. B
Q3.
Rearrange the following SIX sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then
answer the questions given below them.
1. Similarly, streetlights must be switched on when it is really dark.
2. Coolers, refrigerators, TVs, etc. must be switched off when they are not used.
3. For example, we must switch lights off in the room from which we come out.
4. So, we must use it when it is necessary and unavoidable.
5. All perhaps know that electricity saved is electricity produced.
6. At the same time, I would like to add that we must check the misuse of electricity in every way.
Which of the following is the SIXTH sentence after rearrangement?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 6
Q4.
Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph; then
answer the questions given below them.
(1) India, with her many linguistic traditions, has her share of writers, past and present.
(2) They also reflect over important questions and do much more.
(3) Authors serve several roles in any civilization.
(4) Above all, they put down thoughts, facts and descriptions in a format that can be recalled even after many generations
have passed.
(5) They systematize knowledge, clarify ideas, inspire readers and take us to realms of fantasy.
(6) They have enriched her culture in countless ways, opened up the minds and sensitivities of millions, and brought joys
and tears to just as many.
Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence after arrangement ?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
Q5.
Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then
answer the questions given below them—
(A) In view of the continuing trend of reduction in the interest rates, it is expected that in the years to come, more and
more people would be lured to deposit their money in the MFs.
(B) In any developing economy, MFs have a significant role to play.
122
(C) Net sales of the mutual stock reflect additional investment in the industry, resulting in higher industrial growth.
(D) Estimated to be the tune of Rs. 1,20,000 crore market at present, but for the UTI scam, the market would have certainly
grown further, considering the reduced interest rates on the provident fund deposits and bank deposits.
(E) For trade and industry, it means more investable funds from general public and institutional investors.
(F) For a small investor, it is an option to channelize his savings in a profitable manner.

Which sentence will come at the fourth place in the paragraph?
1. B
2. C
3. F
4. A
5. D
Q6.
Rearrange the following five sentences A, B, C, D and E in the proper sequence to form a meaning paragraph; then answer the
questions given below them.
A. The reasons for formal education getting nullified are that we teachers have limited vision, our judgments about
students are hasty and we are more knowledge-centered then student-centered.
B. Life educates as nothing else does.
C. Churchill rose to dizzy heights despite his teachers, prophesies to the contrary. And there are many more such examples.
D. Life’s teachings sometimes supplement the education received in the classroom and at other times nullify it.
E. Education receive in the classroom is insignificant as compared to what life teaches us.
Which of the following will be the LAST sentence?
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
Q7.
Rearrange the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph and answer the questions given below:
(A) We must explore new methods of boosting agricultural development and grow more food.
(B) The scientists should be encouraged to contribute.
(C) Food can also be had by import.
(D) The most important factor in any planning for India’s development and economic uplift is that of turning a hungry,
discontented people into a happy well-fed one.
(E) Whatever be the way and means, India must feed its hungry millions.
(F) They should be given due scope for carrying on experiments and researches.
(G) The problem, therefore, reduces itself to one of agricultural development.

Which of the following FIFTH sentence in the paragraph?
1. G
2. A
3. D
4. F
5. E
Q8.
Rearrange the following eight sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) in the proper sequence to form a
meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. The political process has been fouled by the politics of caste and community.
B. Still, amid the problems faced by the two countries, the image of Gandhi and Mandela is that of benevolent leaders
whose actions could not be comprehended by us ordinary mortals.
C. Today, the India that Gandhi helped shape appears to be in disarray.
D. After all, history cannot be anticipated by those who make it.
E. The South Africa of Mandela’s dreams is likewise, all but shattered.
F. Slums still exist in the cities and crime is rife.
G. Corruption is endemic and our institutional efficiencies are gloriously obvious.
H. Unemployment among blacks is high.
Which of the following should be the SEVENTH sentence after rearrangement?
1. B
2. F
3. G
4. H
123
5. E
Q9.
Rearrange the following eight sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) in the proper sequence to form a
meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them
(A) His birthday, 2 October, is commemorated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday.
(B) Gandhi inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

(C) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement in British-ruled India.
(D) Employing nonviolent civil disobedience,
(E) Indians widely describe Gandhi as the father of the nation.
(F) And later in calling for the British to Quit India in 1942.
(G) Gandhi famously led Indians in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in
1930,
(H) Worldwide, it is also celebrated as the International Day of Nonviolence.
Which of the following will be the SIXTH question after the rearrangement?
1. A
2. B
3. H
4. G
5. E
Q10.
Rearrange the following eight sentences/ group of sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a
meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. He had in his possession, he said, a marble statue dating from the sixth century BC.
B. But this perfectly preserved statue with a light-coloured glow that stood close to seven feet, was an extraordinary find.
C. Becchina’s asking price was just under $10 million.
D. In September of 1983, an art dealer by the name of Gianfranco Becchina approached the J. Paul Getty Museum in
California.
E. It was what is known as kouros – a sculpture of a nude male youth standing with his left leg forward and his arms at his
sides. .
F. There are only about two hundred kouroi in existence, and most have been recovered badly damaged or in fragments
from grave sites or archaeological digs.
Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?
1. B
2. F
3. C
4. D
5. A
Mix set of Questions

# Exercise 1
Directions: In the following question, statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly
arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.
Question 1
1). Despite posting healthy profits, Volkswagen shares trade at a discount to peers due to bad reputation among investors.
2). A disastrous capital hike, an expensive foray into truck business and uncertainty about the reason for a share buyback have in
recent years left investors bewildered.
3). The main problem with Volkswagen is the past.
4). Many investors have been disappointed and frightened away.
5). Volkswagen shares trade at about nine times the 2002 estimated earnings, compared to BMW's 19 and are the second cheapest
in the sector.
A. 52134
B. 13425
C. 32451
D. 13524
Question 2
1). Ignorance is the opposite of knowledge, i.e., want of knowledge.
2). To deal with uncertainty and ignorance economists have recognized the entrepreneur as possessing this non-rational form of
knowledge.
3). Like some ancient priest-king, the entrepreneur ‘knows’ the future and leads his people.
124
4). Entrepreneurial knowledge is essentially intuitive.

5). It involves seeing and realizing a vision of future markets, products and/or other opportunities.
A. 32145
B. 43125
C. 12453
D. 45123

Question 3
1). The credit
Verbal rating agencies use legions of high trained analyst with access to top management.
Ability-I PEV106
2). Their meticulous reports giving ratings for corporate bonds are designed to give an accurate picture of the bonds riskiness and
ultimately the probability of default.
3). Lately, the credit-rating agencies have struggled to keep up.
4). It seems a bond rating tells you even less about the price that investors are willing to pay.
5). In 1999 two-third of the debt rated triple B by standard and poor was priced within 20 basis points of the average bond with the
same rating.
A. 45123
B. 34215
C. 12345
D. 23415
Question 4
P). Just as with adults, pessimistic ways of interpreting defeats seem to feed the sense of helplessness and hopelessness at the heart
of children's depression.
1). That people who are already depressed think in these ways has long been known.
2). What has only recently emerged, though, is that children's beliefs about their own ability to control what happens in
their lives.
3). One line of evidence comes from studies of children's belief about their own ability to control what happens in their
lives- for example, being able to change things for the better.
4). This insight suggests a window of opportunity for inoculating them against depression before it strikes.
Q). This assessed by children's rating of themselves in such term as : 'when I have problems at home I'm better than most kids at
helping to solve problems' and 'When I work hard, I get good grades'.
A. 1342
B. 3421
C. 1243
D. 2431
Question 5
Directions: In the following question, five statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly
A. The different phases merely represent differences in emphasis at different historical periods.
B. For example, truth is dharma in Satyayuga, yajna (sacrifice) in Tratayuga, jnana (knowledge) in Dvaparayuga, and dana (alms) in
Kaliyuga.
C. It seeks to achieve homogeneity and harmony of thought.
D. The Hindu respect for tradition has a purpose.
E. The Hindu philosophy believes in the continuity of the present with the past in which it is rooted and its projection into the future.
A. EDCAB
B. DEACB
C. ABEDC
D. ABDEC
Question 6
1). Wonder is marvellous, but it is also cruel, cruel, cruel.
2). We have paid a terrible price for our education, such as it is.
3). Of course, wonder is costly because it is the antithesis of the anxiously worshipped security.
4). The Magian World View, in so far as it exists, has taken flight into science.
5). We have educated ourselves into a world from which wonder has been banished.
A. 24531
B. 54132
C. 13245
D. 31254
Question 7
125
P). Most investors feel they lose out when the market rallies.
1). There are times when one is not sure of the direction in which a sector will move.
2). Everytime such a thing happens you wish to include in your portfolio some of the stocks scaling the new highs every day.
3). While the index and several scripts may be running with each passing day, the investor may find that the specific shares
in his portfolio are hardly moving.
4). All this can lead to rash decisions.
Q). Picking a winner even within a booming sector is tough.
A. 3124
B.
Verbal Ability-I 2134 PEV106
C. 3241
D. 1342
Question 8
P). Some business executives have adapted a 'wait and see' attitude.
1). Like a driver changing a tyre in the middle of the highway they hope an oncoming vehicle will not hit them before their
work is done.
2). Discussions with several executives in both situations show that they recognize the danger is not applying themselves to
understanding the shape of future.
3). Others are too busy bailing themselves out of troubles already caused by the changes that have taken place around
them to have any time to reflect on the future.
4). Like deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck, they risk being turn over.
Q). Traditional ways of forecasting and strategic planning are not effective any longer.
A. 4213
B. 4312
C. 4123
D. 1432
Question 9
Directions: In the following question, five statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly
A. Though attacks by Muslims on India had started in the tenth century, but it was more from the fifteenth century onwards that the
impact of Islamic culture on Hindu great tradition was observed.
B. Islam influenced Hindu ideals in the medieval period.
C. Though both Islam and Hinduism are oriented to the principle of holism (collectivism), but in Hinduism, holism is linked with
hierarchy while in Islam, holism is differentiated from hierarchism.
D. It is monotheistic and non–hierarchical, i.e. it believes in equality.
E. Islam does not believe in idol–worship.
A. EBDCA
B. CDEAB
C. CBAED
D. BAEDC
Question 10
P). That truth is the first casualty in a war is an old story.
1). The media age, however, has given it a new twist.
2). News management techniques can now make half-lies more plausible.
3). And the television camera age can make them more entertaining.
4). The US led war on terrorism, even as it has created new dilemmas for allies used to nurturing militant outfits for waging
proxy wars, also produced new opportunities for cover-ups, double-speak and double-cross.
Q). The suave public persona the war coalition leader presents can be quite different in this situation from the stern face he shows in
private.
A. 2413
B. 3214
C. 2314
D. 1234
Question 11
126
1). In his second book ‘Manage yourself’, Dishu explained how the expectancy theory convinced managers and employees that
managing the individual works better than treating everyone the same.
2). Earlier on, Dishu had applied his expectancy theory in a step by step process used mainly as a one-on-one approach between the
manager and the employees.
3). Everyone was flabbergasted by his success.

4). Nevertheless, Dishu organized a team and implemented, tested and gathered data to measure results in the corporate
environment.
5). It was
Verbal not designed for the entire organizations.
Ability-I PEV106
A. 25431
B. 12534
C. 13254
D. 54321
Question12
1). In the US about 12 million people are homeless, one-third of the people cannot afford primary health care, 20 percent of the
children live below the poverty line, and about 23 percent of the people are illiterate with no security of either job or life.
2). In capitalism, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few.
3). In the West, men are only capable of seeing the external aspects of things.
4). The resultant deprivations are variable even in the developed countries.
5). The domination of the capitalist class today is justified in the name of economic growth and population efficiency.
A. 13452
B. 24135
C. 52314
D. 32541
Question13
1). Teacher preparation must ensure development of commitment amongst teachers.
2). With all the limitations and deficiencies inherent in our educational system has to be achieved only through combined effort of
teachers and community.
3). It is tough proposition when most of the other sectors are influenced by self-interests and material pursuits everywhere.
4). A value-based approach must form the backbone of educational system and also the teacher education system.
5). However, teacher education needs to emphasise that teachers alone can kindle the value-based growth.
A. 23154
B. 24135
C. 24315
D. 13245
Question 14
1). Nonetheless, Tocqueville was only one of the first of a long line of thinkers to worry whether such rough equality could survive in
the face of a growing factory system that threatened to create divisions between industrial workers and a new business elite.
2)."The government of democracy brings the nation of political rights to the level of the humblest citizens. He wrote ," Just as the
dissemination of wealth brings the notion of property within the reach of all the members of the community".
3). Tocqueville was far too shrewd an observer to be uncritical about the US, but his verdict was fundamentally positive.
4). No visitor to the US left a more enduring record of his travels and observations than the French writer and political theorist Alexis
de Tocqueville, whose ‘Democracy in America’, first published in 1835, remains one of the most trenchant and insightful analyses of
American social and political practises.
A. 4132
B. 2134
C. 4321
D. 4213
Question 15
1). The potential exchanges between the officials of IBBF and the Maharashtra Body-Building Association has all the trappings of a
drama we are accustomed to.
2). In the case of sports persons, there is room for some sympathy, but the apathy of the administrators, which has even led to
sanctions from international bodies, is unpardonable.
3). A case in the point is the hefty penalty of US $10,000 slapped on the Indian Body-Building Federation for not fulfilling its
commitment for holding the Asian Championships in Mumbai in October.
4). It is a matter of deep regret and concern that the sports administrators often cause more harm to the image of the country than
127
sportsmen and sportswomen do through their dismal performances.
A. 3124
B. 4231
C. 4123
D. 3421

Question 16
1). OverAbility-I
Verbal the years, I have had the opportunities to observe and understand the thought processes behind the ads that have been PEV106
flooding both the print and the TV media.
2). Although there is a huge shift in the quality of ads that we come across on a daily basis-- thanks essentially to improvement in
technology--I somehow can't help but feel that the quality of communication of the message has become diluted.
3). Proportionally, the number of ads that lack in quality, have gone up exponentially as well!!
4). There is an increasing attempt by most companies to be seen as cool and funky.
5). Another reason could be the burgeoning number of companies, which means an exponential increase in the number of ads that
are being made.
A. 43125
B. 43512
C. 12453
D. 21435
UNIT 5
LECTURE 10 & 11
Analogy
What is an analogy?
An analogy is a relationship between one pair of words that helps to form the same relationship in the second
pair of words. An analogy shows similarities, or things in common, between a pair of words.
How do you read an analogy?

Analogies are usually written in the following form:
Annoy is to irritate as dusk is to twilight

annoy : irritate :: dusk : twilight
ANALOGY vs. SIMILE, METAPHOR, AND PERSONIFICATION

Simile, Metaphor, Personification Analogy
My grandpa is like a tree because his tall stature shades me from
A grandpa is like a tree (Simile) harm’s way. Although he has lost his hair as a tree loses its leaves, he
is dignified and well rooted.
My favorite student is the Little Engine My favorite student is the Little Engine that Could. He is always
that Could. telling himself “I think I can,” and therefore, he is achieving his goals
(Metaphor) and climbing up the mountain of success.
128
The canoe was like an untamed stallion, bucking and charging in any
The canoe was like an untamed stallion.
direction it pleased. Galloping through uncharted territory, unwilling
(Simile)
to be docked.
My car is a toddler that always needs to be taken care of. Changing
My car is a toddler. diapers, giving the baby a bottle, keeping it warm. When the car
(Personification) cries and asks for her mommy, I have to jump to answer to her call,
or the situation is bound to get worse. The responsibility is
Verbal Ability-I overwhelming. PEV106
TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS
Type 1: Broadly : Synonyms and Antonyms 10. object or place : its user – chalk : teacher
1. Antonyms – up : down Type 4: Broadly : Specific to General
2. Synonyms – great : wonderful 11. category : example – dog : Golden Retriever
Type 2: Broadly : Part and Whole Type 5: Broadly : Cause and Effect
3. Part : whole – trunk : tree 12. effect : cause – flood : rain
4. whole :part – school : classroom 13. cause: effect – practice : improve
Type 3: Broadly : Functions and jobs Type 6: Broadly : Different Degrees
5. tool : its action – crayon : draw 14. increasing intensity – unhappiness ; misery
6. tool user : tool – carpenter : hammer 15. decreasing intensity – hot : warm
7. tool: object it’s used with – hammer : nails Type 7: Broadly : Traits
8. action : thing acted upon – read : book 16. noun: closely related adjective – elephant :
9. action: subject performing action – teach : teacher enormous
How to solve?
Choose the odd one out
Audi: Volkswagen
Retailer : FMCG
Tailor : Suit
Grocery : Grocer
Butcher : Venison
Step 1
Find the relationship between words that form the question pair
Audi : Volkswagen
Both are nouns
Relation
Product: Manufacturer
Step 2
Analyse the links between the given pairs of options
Retailer : FMCG - > Seller: product
Tailor : Suit -> Maker : Garment (product)
Grocery : Grocer -> Good (product): Seller
Butcher : Venison -> Meat retailer : Meat (product)
Step 3
Identify an opposite bridge if any for elimination
, (b) and (d) form the
bridge of actor: product
So answer is (c)
Let’s get into the details

129
One way analogies are set up is using synonyms (words that mean the same thing) and antonyms (words that
are opposites). An analogy using SYNONYMS might look like this:
TWELVE : DOZEN : : THREE : TRIO
Twelve means the same as a dozen, just like three means the same as a trio. Some analogies use antonyms. An
analogy using ANTONYMS might look like this:

HOT : COLD : : DAY : NIGHT
Hot is the opposite of cold, just as day is the opposite of night. Make sense? Then you're ready to try the
analogies below.
1. catch : capture : : docile :

a. mean
b. wild
c. obedient
d. ugly
2. system : method : : faith :

a. trust
b. mistrust
c. manner
d. courtesy
3. sympathy : pity : : awkward : ________

a. mourn
b. die
c. clumsy
d. puppy
4. yell : whisper : : tame :
a. docile
b. wild
c. animal
d. scream
5. empty : full : : awkward :
a. graceful
b. clumsy
c. helpful
d. hollow
6. main : primary : : labor :

a. play
b. first
c. hard
d. work
7. delay : stall : : allow :
a. restrict
b. strict
c. late
d. permit
8. prey : quarry : : strike :
a. animal
b. hunt
c. hit
d. stripe
9. first : last : : most :

a. least
130
b. more
c. biggest
d. late
10. polite : courteous : : style : ________

a. nice
b. pretty
c. ugly
d. fashion
11. narrow : thin : : boulder :
a. big
b. hard
c. shoulder
d. rock
12. cheap : expensive : : high : __________
a. tall
b. building
c. costly
d. low
Some analogies compare PART of something to its WHOLE (or they might compare something WHOLE to its
PART). Here's an example of a PART to WHOLE analogy:
LEG:CHAIR::SHADE:LAMP
You would read this analogy "leg is to chair as shade is to lamp". In your mind, you should be thinking "a leg is a
part of a chair, just like a shade is part of a lamp." This same analogy could have been set up as a WHOLE to PART
analogy:
CHAIR:LEG::LAMP:SHADE
If that's all making sense to you, then try your hand at the analogies below.
1. car : tire : : tree : ________
a. rubber
b. limb
c. wheel
d. grow
2. roof : house : : wall : ________
a. room
b. straight
c. square
d. cracked
3. day : hour : : week : ______
a. minute
b. second
c. month
d. day
4. cactus : spines : : pig : ______
a. piglet
b. sow
c. bacon
d. bristles
5. book : chapter : : tractor : _____
a. plowed
b. read
c. track
d. motor
6. bicycle : pedal : : fireplace : ______
a. burn
b. mantel
c. ride
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d. warm
7. month : week : : year : ______
a. time
b. month
c. decade
d. century
8. hide
Verbal : cow : : wrapper : ______
Ability-I PEV106
a. gum
b. unwrap
c. fresh
d. paper
9. foot : toe : : face : _______
a. finger
b. toenail
c. nose
d. arm
10. petal : flower : eye :: ________

a. cry
b. see
c. blink
d. potato
11. pride : lion : : band : _______
a. musician
b. music
c. rubber
d. brave
12. egg : shell : : onion : __________
a. tears
b. herb
c. scallion
d. skin
Another sort of relationship found in analogies makes use of things and their FUNCTIONS or things they do. The
analogy creator will name an object, such as a knife, followed by something the object does, such as slice. Or they
might name a thing, such as a duck, followed by something a duck does, such as quack. Here's a typical example of
an analogy using objects and their FUNCTIONS or things they do:
KNIFE:SLICE::BALL:BOUNCE
To read this analogy, you would say "knife is to slice as ball is to bounce". You should think, "A knife slices and a
ball bounces."
Sometimes analogy creators will focus on people and their JOBS. A kind of job will be paired with something that
tells you about the job or something used in the job. For example, an ornithologist studies birds and an entomologist
studies insects, so you might see an analogy that looks like this:
ORNITHOLOGIST:BIRDS::ENTOMOLOGIST:INSECTS
If you feel ready to give these a try, there are twelve analogies below that make use of FUNCTIONS and JOBS.
Have fun!
1. chef : recipe : : cashier :

a. key
b. cash register
c. store
d. cook
2. key : lock : : spoon :

a. door
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b. cook
c. fork
d. stir
3. ruler : measure : : calculator : _____

a. numbers
b. math
c. problem
d. multiply
4. cook : stove : : cut :
a. paper
b. finger
c. bandage
d. knife
5. hammer : pound : : wrench : ______

a. pinch
b. tool
c. bolt
d. turn
6. car : drive : : scissors : ____
a. ribbon
b. cut
c. tape
d. auto
7. author : write : : detective : _______
a. investigate
b. magnifying glass
c. typewriter
d. police officer
8. razor : shave : : pen :
a. ink
b. pencil
c. write
d. story
9. fireman : hose : : chemist :
a. laboratory
b. flames
c. test tube
d. scientist
10. doctor : heal : : mechanic : ______
a) nurse
b) wrench
c) car
d) fix
11. scissors : barber : : net :
a. catch
b. fisherman
c. string
d. butterfly
12. baker : bread : : sculptor :
a. statue
b. clay
c. carve
d. oven
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Some analogies compare the GENERAL version of something to a SPECIFIC example of that thing. Here's an
example of a GENERAL to SPECIFIC analogy:
INSECT:MOSQUITO::CITY:NEWYORK
You would read this analogy "insect is to mosquito as city is to New York". In your mind, you should be thinking
"There are lots of insects. A mosquito is a specific type of insect. There are also lots of cities. New York is a specific
example of a city." There are also SPECIFIC to GENERAL analogies:
GREEN:COLOR::FORK:UTENSIL
This analogy should be read "green is to color as fork is to utensil". In you mind, you should be thinking,
"Green is a specific example of a color, just like a fork is a specific example of a utensil." When you're ready,
take a shot at the analogies below.
1. pie : dessert : : maple :
a. tree
b. eat
c. sweet
d. cut
2. duck : mallard : : flower :
a. smell
b. bright
c. sing
d. poppy
3. fairy tale : Cinderella : : fruit : _______
a. story
b. apple
c. vegetable
d. red
4. canine : wolf : : feline :
a. dog
b. purr
c. tiger
d. whiskers
5. state : Nevada : : evergreen :
a. pine
b. needles
c. Christmas
d. cougar
6. fish : trout : : insect :
a. fox
b. buzz
c. katydid
d. crawl
7. Elmo : Muppet : :baseball :

a. Glove
b. bat
c. Yankees
d. Sport

8. skirt : clothing : : chair :
a. blouse
b. furniture
c. sofa
d. cushion
9. waltz : dance : : fox :
a. trot
b. fur
c. animal
d. trap
10. Honda : car : : Japan :
a. Toyota
b. Tokyo
c. city
d. country
11. ocean : Pacific : : metal :
a. zinc
b. oxygen
c. Atlantic
d. shiny
12. home : cottage : : bird :
a. nest
b. flamingo
c. fly
d. wings
Some analogies compare CAUSE of something to its EFFECT (or they might relate the EFFECT to its CAUSE).
Here's an example of a CAUSE to EFFECT analogy:
GIFT:JOY::INDIGESTION:SICK
You would read this analogy "Gift is to Joy as Indigestion is to Sick". In your mind, you should be thinking "getting
cheerful is the effect of getting a gift, just like getting sick is the effect of indigestion." This same analogy could
have
been set up as a EFFECT to CAUSE analogy:
J O Y : G I F T : : S I C K: I N D I G E S T I O N
Try your hand at the analogies below.
1. Careless is to accident as 2. Earthquake is to tsunami 3. Spark is to wildfire as
careful is to . as heavy rain is to . snowflake is to .
A: mistake A: flood A: cold
B: safety B: hurricane B: cinder
C: luck C: miserable C: blaze
D: satisfaction D: river D: blizzard
4. Overspend is to broke as 5. Convict is to punishment 6. Sunrise is to dawn as
save is to . as acquit is to . sunset is to .
A: bankrupt A: acquire A: beautiful
B: debt B: incarceration B: orange
C: prosperous C: freedom C: night
D: keep D: jail D: dusk
7. Heat is to cooked as cold 8. Pinch is to pain as hug is 9. Heat is to scald as cold is
is to . to . to .
A: chilly A: squeeze A: frostbite
B: ice cream B: comfort B: steam

C: skating C: massage C: ice

D: frozen D: hurt D: ski
10. Sniff is to smell as lick is to 11. Tired is to sleep as hungry 12. Heat is to dry as water is
. is to . to .
A: eat A: drink A: mold
B: taste B: exhausted B: wet
C: stamp C: starving C: flood
D: stink D: eat D: flow
Some analogies compare similar things of DIFFERENT DEGREES. For example, if you're feeling just a little cold you
might say you feel "cool", but if you've been hanging out in Iceland in the winter time, you might say you're
"freezing". Here's an analogy highlighting DIFFERENT DEGREES of similar things might look like:
COOL:FREEZING::WARM:BURNING
You would read this analogy "cool is to freezing as warm is to burning". In your mind, you should be thinking "cool is a
much milder version of cold than freezing. Likewise, warm is a much milder version of hot than
burning." Does that make sense? Then try the twelve practice analogies below.
1. hill : mountain : : brook :
a. cave
b. river
c. ocean
d. mound
2. grove : forest : : pond :
a. tree
b. water
c. lake
d. tadpole
3. parched : dry : : starved :
a. desert
b. dinner
c. hungry
d. sandwich
4. chubby : obese : : trickle :
a. laugh
b. seep
c. water
d. pour
5. ditch : ravine : : crack :
a. cricket
b. crevice
c. break
d. cracker
6. fear : phobia : : upset :

a. hysterical
b. happiest
c. calm
d. lazy
7. mist : fog : : drizzle :
a. weather
b. cloud
c. storm
d. steam

8. irate : angry : : earthquake : ________
a. mad
b. shake
c. disaster
d. tremor
9. pale : livid : : firm :
a. soft
b. white
c. dull
d. rigid
10. giggle : laugh : : cry :
a. sob
b. sniffle
c. tear
d. frown
11. tired : exhausted : : big :
a. tiny
b. enormous
c. large
d. size
12. inferno : fire : : tsunami :
a. ocean
b. burning
c. wave
d. deadly
Analogies often make use of things and their TRAITS or characteristics. The analogy creator will name an object,
such as a knife, and then pair it with a word that describes it, such as sharp. Here's an example of an analogy using
objects and their TRAITS or characteristics:
KNIFE:SHARP::ORANGE:ROUND
To read this analogy, you would say "knife is to sharp as orange is to round". You should think, "A knife is sharp.
Sharp tells what a knife is like. An orange is round. Round describes an orange."
Sometimes analogy creators will flip the order and have the trait come first, followed by the object. Here's a
look at what that would be like:
LIGHT:FEATHER::HEAVY:ELEPHANT
You would read this as "light is to feather as heavy is to elephant". What you should be thinking is, "Light
describes a feather, heavy describes an elephant."
If you feel ready to give these a try, there are twelve analogies below that make use of objects and their
TRAITS or characteristics. Have fun!
1. ant : tiny : : rabbit : 5. star : shiny : : skyscraper : 9. fire : hot : : candy :

a. foot a. tall a. lick
b. carrots b. building b. mouth
c. soft c. concrete c. sweet
d. scratch d. city d. cold
2. sharp : sword : : smooth : 6. ice : cold : : pickle : 10. swift : deer : : slow :
a. cut a. eat a. turtle
b. rough b. barrel b. sluggish
c. clear c. sour c. fast
d. glass d. hamburger d. crawl

3. ball : round : : door : 7. apple : red : : flower : 11. sun : bright : : water :
a. house a. fragrant a. glass
b. lock b. garden b. ocean
c. knob c. daffodil c. wave
d. squeaky d. bee d. wet
4. banana : yellow : : child : 8. big : elephant : : small : 12. scary : monster : : soft :
a. young a. tiny a. hard
b. school b. mouse b. pillow
c. kid c. giraffe c. table
d. adult d. huge d. gentle
THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. PARTS OF SPEECH
If the words in the first pair express a “noun : adjective” or “verb : noun” or “adjective : adjective”
relationship (for instance), the second pair should show the same relationship between parts of speech.
2. WORD ORDER
If the first pair expresses a “tool user : tool” relationship (for instance), the second pair must express the
same relationship in the same order(tool user first, tool second).
3. EXACTNESS
Sometimes two or more of the given choices would make fairly good sense in the blank. When this happens, you
should choose the word or pair of words that most exactly suits the relationship you’re expressing
GUIDELINES
Decide upon the relationship between first 2 words
State the relationship - car is to tire because
Examine the third word – chair
Select a fourth word that will make the third-fourth word have the same relationship as the first-second word
Be ready to explain your fourth word selection
Solve!: Car is to tire as chair is to .
PRACTICE 1
1. Shelf: Bookcase c. herd : peacock
a. arm : leg d. raven : school 4. Watermelon : Fruit
b. stage : curtain e. dog : collie a. collar : leash
c. bench : chair b. dog : companion
d. key : piano 3. Scale : Weight c. fish : bowl
e. lamp : bulb a. yardstick : length d. Dalmatian : canine
b. width : depth e. apple : orange
2. Fish : School c. length : width
a. wolf : pack d. size : area 5. Foot : Skateboard
b. tiger : jungle e. mileage : speed a. tire : automobile
b. lace : shoe c. progressive : regressive b. explore : discover

c. ounce : scale d. happy : crying c. draw : paint
d. walk : jump e. depressed : sad d. think : relate
e. pedal : bicycle e. walk : run
6. Stretch: Extend 9. Dermatologist : Acne
a. tremble : roll a. psychologist : neurosis 12. Pharmacy : Drugs
b. thirsty : drink b. child : pediatrician a. mall : store

c. shake : tremble c. ophthalmologist : b. doctor : medicine
d. stroll : run fracture c. bakery : bread
e. stitch : tear d. oncologist : measles d. supermarket : discount
e. allergies : orthopedist store
7. Kangaroo: Marsupial e. toys : games
a. salmon : mollusk 10. Frame : Picture
b. zebra : horse a. display : museum 13. Layer : Tier
c. rhinoceros : pachyderm b. shelf : refrigerator a. section : segment
d. beagle : feline c. mechanic : electrician b. dais : speaker
e. grasshopper : rodent d. nail : hammer c. curtain : stage
e. fence : backyard d. chapter : verse
8. Starving : Hungry e. cotton : bale
a. neat : thoughtful 11. Search : Find
b. towering : cringing a. sleep : wake
14. Metropolitan : Urban c. parakeet : bird

a. bucolic : rural d. rat : marsupial 19. Tailor : Suit
b. sleepy : nocturnal e. fly : bee a. scheme : agent
c. agricultural : cow b. edit : manuscript
d. autumn : harvest 17. Run : Jog c. revise : writer
e. agrarian : generous a. trot : race d. mention : opinion
b. swim : dive e. implode : building
15. Teacher : School c. dance : ballet
a. actor : role d. juggle : bounce 20. Conductor : Orchestra
b. mechanic : engine e. rain : drizzle a. jockey : mount
c. jockey : horse b. thrasher : hay
d. judge : courthouse 18. Skein : Yarn c. driver : tractor
e. author : book a. squeeze : lemon d. skipper : crew
b. fire : coal e. painter : house
16. Persian : Cat c. ream : paper
a. alligator : crocodile d. tree : lumber
b. zebra : reptile e. plow : acre
PRACTICE 2
1. A shelf is a bookcase; a key is a piano.
2. fish is called a school; wolves is called a pack
3. A scale weight; a yardstick length.
4. Watermelon is fruit; Dalmatian is canine.
5. A foot a skateboard; a pedal a bicycle.
6. Stretch and extend ; shake and tremble
7. A kangaroo marsupial; a rhinoceros pachyderm.
8. Starving is hungry; depressed is sad.
9. A dermatologist acne; a psychologist a neurosis.
10. A frame a picture; a fence a backyard.

11. One searches find; one explores discover.
12. A pharmacy drugs; a bakery bread.
13. Layer and tier ; section and segment
14. Metropolitan urban areas; bucolic rural areas.
15. A teacher in a school; a judge in a courthouse
16. A Persian is cat; a parakeet is bird.
17. To jog is to run ; to drizzle is to rain .
18. A skein is yarn; a ream is paper.
19. To tailor a suit is _ it; to edit a manuscript is it.

PRACTICE 3
1. Find is to lose as construct is to .
Build Demolish Misplace Materials
2. Find is to locate as feign is to .
Pane Pretend Line Mean
3. Pane is to pain as weigh is to .
Scale Pounds Weight Way
4. Bring is to brought as sing is to .
Sang Melody Song Record
5. Dime is to tenth as quarter is to .
twenty-five Fourth Home Coin
6. Plates is to dishes as arms is to .
Legs Hands Farms Weapons
7. Act is to actor as steal is to .
Steel Rob Dishonest Thief
8. Concede is to concession as announce is to .
State Secret Speaker announcement
9. Merciful is to merciless as patient is to .
Hospital Medicine Impatient Angry
10. Saw is to seen as drive is to .
Ride Drove Driven Vehicle
11. Leaves is to goes as prepared is to .
Unprepared preparation Scouts Ready
12. Grape is to raisin as plum is to .
Straight Dried Fruit Prune
PRACTICE 4
Complete using the given set of words
Concert zoo water maturity school
gigantic jungle instructor tariff materialize
television proprietor infant import Hammer
crop Product individual Commercial cabinet
agility society Pentagon ridicule square
1. listen : radio :: watch :

2. fish : aquarium :: lion :
3. quadrilateral : four ::: five
4. adolescence: adulthood :: youth :
5. disappear : vanish :: appear :
6. class: student :: faculty :
7. ice : solid ::: liquid
8. farmer: farm :: : shop
9. disgrace: scandalize:: mock:
10. pack: wolf:: : person
11. miniature: colossal :: miniscule:
12. domestic: foreign:: : export
13. plumber: sink:: carpenter:
14. anthology: story:: : sales pitch
15. strength: power:: :grace

Tutorial-7
Analogy
7.1 Beginner Exercise
1. Fill in the blank with the suitable word:
1. Leaf is to tree as petal is to .
a) Stem b) Flower c) Garden d) Bike
2. City is to state as state is to .
a) Country b) Continent c) Town d) County
3. Child is to family as student is to .
a) Class b) teacher c) Parents d) Brother
4. Second is to minute as minute is to .
a) Week b) Season c) Hour d) Year
5. Nigeria is to Africa as France is to .
a) Asia b) North America c) Middle East d) Europe
6. Corn is to cob as pea is to .
a) Green b) Pod c) Can d) Bean
7. Classroom is to school as kitchen is to .
a) House b) Cook c) Garage d) Food
8. Dallas is to the United States as Paris is to .
a) Germany b) Chile c) Mexico d) France
9. Spoke is to wheel as wheel is to .
a) Transportation b) Ride c) Pavement d) Bike
10. Violinist is to orchestra as pitcher is to .
a) Band b) Baseball team c) Juice d) Bang
11. Letter is to word as word is to .
a) Envelope b) Sentence c) Mailbox d) Homework
12. Claw is to cat as tail is to .
a) Wag b) Story c) Tooth d) Dog
2. Fill in the blank with the suitable word:

1. Tree is to trunk as house is to .
a) Room b) Colony c) Apartment d) Locality
2. Coat is to sleeve as head is to .
a) Toe b) Finger c) Hair d) Here
3. Song is to lyric as jewelry is to .
a) Nail paint b) Necklace c) Comb d) Kohl
4. Mammal is to mouse as reptile is to .
a) Camel b) Pigeon c) Butterfly d) Snake
5. Shoe is to sole as bike is to .
a) Handle b) Car c) Road d) Travel
6. Book is to chapter as alphabet is to .
a) Words b) Letters c) Sentences d) Lessons
7. Face is to nose as arm is to .
a) Knee b) Ankle c) Elbow d) Shoulder
8. Bird is to parrot as vermin is to .
a) Poison b) Animal c) Snake d) Mouse
9. Ambulance is to tyre as door is to .
a) Knob b) Wall c) Window d) Vehicle
10. Bread is to flour as soup is to .
a) Salad b) Water c) Eat d) Drink
3. Find the relation between the given pair and on its basis fill in the blank:
1. Eye is to see as ear is to .
a) Here b) Hearing aid c) Hear d) Corn
2. Saw is to cut as hammer is to .

a) Screwdriver b) Pound c) Chainsaw d) Screw
3. Pencil is to write as spoon is to .
a) Fork b) Knife c) Moon d) Stir
4. Clock is to time as thermometer is to .
a) Temperature b) Fever c) Miles d) Late
5. Scissors are to cut as pen is to .
a) Cut b) Den c) Corral d) Write
6. Pilot is to fly as driver is to .
a) Ride b) Plane c) Drive d) Insect
7. Conductor is to orchestra as police officer is to .
a) Traffic b) Arrest c) Crime d) Jail
8. Scale is to weight as ruler is to .
a) Kingdom b) Length c) Long d) Weigh
9. Chimney is to smoke as faucet is to .
a) Water b) Burn c) Flow d) Cold
10. Car is to drive as boat is to .
a) Captain b) Sail c) Swim d) Float
11. Tongue is to taste as nose is to .
a) Stink b) Wrinkle c) Sniff d) Smell
12. Stomach is to digest as muscles are to .
a) Breathe b) Move c) Run d) Lift
4. Fill in the blanks with a suitable option:
1. Feeling is to pride as touch is to _ (physical, soft, mental, hand)
2. Toiletry is to shampoo as kitchen is to (gas stove, basin, cupboard, shoe rack)
3. School is to class as library is to (magazines, newspapers, books, journals)
4. Accessories is to sunglasses as boutique is to (book, sheet, grocery, dress)
5. Scientist is to APJ Abdul Kalam as industrialist is to (Datsun,
Hyundai, Volkswagen, Ford)
6. Aspirin is to medicine as perfume is to (cosmetics, toiletries, sanitizers, cleansers)
7. Jacket is to apparel as belt is to (clothes, accessories, wardrobe, trousers)
8. Fork is to cutlery as teapot is to (utensils, kitchenware, crockery, bone china)
9. Apple is to fruit as chicken is to (broiler, mutton, fish, poultry)
10. Ray ban is to sunglasses as Bata is to (moccasins, Hush puppies,
comfort, insoles)
5. Choose the related pair:
1. Athlete : Sports
a) Actor : Acting b) Coach : Train c) Trainer : Help d) Gardener : Farming
2. Astronaut : Spaceship
a) Pilot : Ship b) Painter : Painting c) Artist : Modelling d) Dentist : Traffic
3. Musician : Music
a) Singer : Dance b) Vet : Plants c) Tailor : Dentistry d) Footballer : Football
4. Mason : Masonry
a) Preacher : Prayer b) Priest : Preach c) Teacher : Teach d) Doctor : Singing
5. Carpenter : Carpentry
a) Lecturer : Studying b) Potter : Pottery c) Florist : Smithy d) Captain : Player
6. Pick the right option:

1. Careless is to accident as careful is to .
a) Mistake b) Safety c) Luck d) Satisfaction
2. Earthquake is to tsunami as heavy rain is to .
a) Flood b) Hurricane c) Miserable d) River
3. Spark is to wildfire as snowflake is to .
a) Cold b) Cinder c) Blaze d) Blizzard
4. Overspend is to broke as save is to .
a) Bankrupt b) Debt c) Prosperous d) Keep

5. Convict is to punishment as acquit is to .
a) Acquire b) Incarceration c) Freedom d) Jail
6. Sunrise is to dawn as sunset is to .
a) Beautiful b) Orange c) Night d) Dusk
7. Heat is to cooked as cold is to .
a) Chilly b) Ice cream c) Skating d) Frozen
8. Pinch is to pain as hug is to .
a) Squeeze b) Comfort c) Massage d) Hurt
9. Heat is to scald as cold is to .
a) Frostbite b) Steam c) Ice d) Ski
10. Sniff is to smell as lick is to .
a) Eat b) Taste c) Stamp d) Stink
11. Tired is to sleep as hungry is to .
a) Drink b) Exhausted c) Starving d) Eat
12. Heat is to dry as water is to .
a) Mold b) Wet c) Flood d) Flow
7. Try your hand at these:

Reduce Competent Fear Thrive Felony
1. Tan : Brown :: : Expert

2. Hunger : Starvation :: Survive :
3. Decigram : Centigram : : Eliminate
4. Sad : Tragic :: Misdemeanor :
5. Plump : Obese :: : Terror
7.2 Intermediate Exercise

1. Choose the word that best expresses a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
1. Goal : Aim :: Large :
a) Mammoth b) Miniature c) Tiny
2. Suitable : Appropriate :: Expand :
a) Diminish b) Contract c) Elaborate
3. Connect : Conjoin :: Relevant :
a) Irrelevant b) Pertinent c) Trivial
4. Normal : Everyday :: Irregular :
a) Disorderly b) Ordinary c) Habitual
5. Fluently : Dexterously :: Dubitably :
a) Inconclusively b) Irrevocable c) Unambiguous
6. Complex : Complicated :: Abandon :
a) Very well b) Desertion c) Restraint
7. Acknowledged : Recognized :: Appeal :
a) Revocation b) Disavowal c) Adjuration
8. Augment : Increase :: Bargain :
a) Negotiation b) Rip-off c) Disagreement
9. Bland : Uninteresting :: Blatant :
a) Concealed b) Conspicuous c) Subtle
10. Bleak : Grim :: Commensurate :
a) Inappropriate b) Unfitting c) Compatible
1. Deference : :: Elaborate : Unelaborate
a) Complaisance b) Obstinacy c) Friendliness
2. Fickle : :: Flimsy : Sturdy
a) Capricious b) Frivolous c) Reliable
3. Ostentatious : :: Sophisticated : Uncultivated
a) Modest b) Glittery c) Pretentious

4. Pliable : :: Allegiance : Disloyalty
a) Malleable b) Inflexible c) Pliant
5. Furtive : :: Blunt : Sharp
a) Forthright b) Clandestine c) Disguised
6. Lacklustre : :: Brutal : Humane
a) Boring b) Shining c) Drab
7. Chaotic : :: Indifferent : Interested
a) Anarchy b) Tumultuous c) Harmonized
8. Imperturbable : :: Exasperated : Appease
a) Jittery b) Complacent c) Tranquil
9. Recalcitrant : :: Deteriorated : Improved
a) Obstinate b) Obedient c) Unruly
10. Petulant : :: Abandon : Accompany
a) Cranky b) Irritable c) Good-natured
3. Choose the related pair:

1. Steward : Stewardess
a) Guilty : Innocent b) Handsome : Attractive c) Escort : Entourage
2. Righteous : Virtuous
a) Foe : Friend b) Capability : Efficiency c) Support : Discourage
3. Strength : Weakness
a) Means : Method b) Endure : Brave c) Indictment : Acquittal
4. Boasting : Bragging
a) Gossip : Hearsay b) Fact : Fabrication c) Extrinsic : Intrinsic
5. Temporarily : Permanently
a) Timely : Prompt b) Deliberately : Unintentionally c) Discouraged : Crestfallen
6. Cancel : Call-off
a) Adjourn : Continue b) Unsteadily : Steadily c) Ample : Abundant
7. Dawdle : Hasten
a) Vigilant : Negligent b) Afraid : Scared c) Restless : Uneasy
8. Abducted : Kidnapped
a) Coerce : Yield b) Advice : Suggestion c) Quarrel : Peace
9. Applauded : Criticized
a) Mislead : Misguide b) Conclude : Wind-up c) Forbidden : Allowed
10. Frown : Grimace
a) Arbitrary : Capricious b) Fortune : Misfortune c) Squander : Accumulate
4. Identify the relationship between the first two words. Then select the word that completes the same
relationship:
c. copper
1. lettuce : green :: radish :
d. helium
a. vegetable
b. small 4. round : circle :: square :
c. red a. oblong
d. leafy b. cube
c. triangle
2. ewe : female :: ram :
d. volume
a. sheep
b. male 5. factual : article :: fictitious :
c. son a. fable
d. father b. testimony
c. magazine
3. light : aluminum :: heavy :
d. alibi
a. iron
b. neon 6. puppy : furry :: goldfish ::

a. yellow
b. hoofed
c. cute
d. scaly
7. hard : rock :: soft :

a. plateau
b. glacier
c. quicksand
d. quartz
8. inquisitive : reporter :: : gymnast

a. tap dancer
b. emaciated
c. limber
d. determined

1. Prosperity : Happiness :: Success : (Smile, Laugh, Joy, Blissful)
2. Blade : Knife :: : Fork ( Prong, Spear, Needle, Pin)
3. Thumb : Hand :: Diamond : (Pearl, Ring, Finger, Nail)
4. Elation : : Acuteness : Dullness (Happiness, Depression, Pain, Joy)
5. : Travel :: Read : Learn (Wheel, Tyre, Road, Car)
6. Gills : Breathing :: Ruler : (Measure, Scale, Line, Draw)
7. Crab : Crustacean :: : Mammal (Fish, Man, Snake, Bird)
8. Soccer : :: Jaywalk : Misdemeanor (Football, Ground, Sport, Fun)
9. : Anger :: Tear : Sad (Grin, Cry, Growl, Snarl)
10. Iron : Rigid :: : Flexible ( Rubber, Gymnast, Steel, Paper)
11. : Sad :: Doleful : Mournful ( Blissful, Lugubrious, Atrocity, Joyous)
12. Hyper : :: Organic : Natural (Dull, Boring, Energetic, Enthusiastic)
13. Persuasive : Convincing :: Slim : (Chubby, Strong, Weak, Slender)
14. Destitute : :: Deplete : Fill (Wealthy, Riches, Miser, Spendthrift)
15. Obese : Thin :: : Refined (Rude, Vulgar, Rough, Savage)
16. : Move :: Stutter : Speech (Refrain, Retain, Restrain, Remove)
17. Dishonesty : :: Smoking : Health (Flaw, Imperfection, Invention, Truth)
18. Spoon : Soup :: Microphone : (Speech, Speak, Music, Voice)
19. : Leather :: Coat : Cloth (Shoo, Shoe, Show, Socks)
20. : Cobbler :: Baking : Baker ( Construction, Make, Cobble, Carpentry)
21. Happy : Glad :: Dull : (Burnt, Sharp, Brunt, Blunt)
22. : Shortage :: Plethora : Excess (Dearth, Abundant, Luxury, Plentiful)
23. Dog : :: Cat : Meow (Snarl, Gnash, Bark, Scratch)
24. Trout : Fish :: : Frog (Mammal, Reptile, Mollusk, Amphibian)
25. : Cabbage :: Pear : Peach (Lettuce, Fruit, Coriander, Vegetable)
26. Bird : :: Mollusk : Snail (Wings, Robin, John, Claws)
27. : Camry :: Motorcycle : Kawasaki (Scooter, Bicycle, Car, Truck)
28. Wheels : Car :: : Table (Legs, Knobs, Top, Mica)
29. Toe : Row :: Low : (High, Crow, Claw, Caw)
30. Eye : :: Bye : Cry (Ray, Roy, Stye, Hey)
7.3 Advance Exercise:

# Exercise 1
Choose the Analogous Pair:
1. CAMOUFLAGE :: APPEARANCE ::
A) compensate : payment 4. INCITE : SEDITIONIST ::
B) decipher A) parade ; heckler
C) experiment : hypothesis B) assault : victor
D) bluff : intention C) abdicate : autocrat
E) invest : chance D) arbitrate : mediator
E) donate : financier
2. BIRD : MOLT ::
A)bear : hibernate 5. NOISE : DIN ::
B)snake : slough A) injury : pride
C)fish : catch B) voice : speech
D)hawk : prey C)sincerity : homage
E)rabbit : trap D) emotion : fervor
E) signal : message
3. INTROSPECTIVE : SELF ::
A)pompous : thoughts 6. CONCERT : AUDIENCE ::
B)conceited : others A) restaurant : waiters
C)miserly : accomplishments B) orchestra : musicians
D)impetuous : decisions C) game : spectators
E)scrupulous : principles D) school : cheerleaders
E) zoo : keepers 15. CUTLERY : KNIFE ::
A) machinery : fuel
7. WATER : RESERVOUR :: B) lumber : saw
A) oil : fuel C) suitcase : handle
B) money : bank
D) bookcase : volume
C)lake : oceanl
D) parent : family
E) furniture : chair
E) beach : inlet
16. ASPIRANT : AMBITION ::
8. WALK : PROWL :: A) mentor : malice
A) cheat : pretend B) renegade : faith
B) speak : shout C) virtuoso : innocence
C) applaud : disapprove D) rebel : defiance
D) listen : eavesdrop E)antagonist : maturity
E) smile : grin
17. ANARCHISM : GOVERNMENT ::
9. STAGNANT : MOTION ::
A) arid : moisture
A) paternalism : ancestors
B) morbid : dread B) pacifism : war
C) neutral : balance C) realism : progress
D) marred : fault D) capitalism : commerce
E) tilled : irrigation E) socialism : society
10. RETOUCH : PICTURE :: 18. STUPIDITY : DUNCE ::

A) design : dress A) obstinacy : introvert
B) orchestrate : song B) flattery : sycophant
C) publish : magazine
C) fear : clown
D) emend : text
E) concoct ; pastry
D) acuity : hypocrite
E) deceit : vagrant
11. PLUG : SOCKET ::
A) key : lock 19. REMISSION : DISEASE ::
B) chair : desk A) recollection : imagination
C) wire : electricity B) resurgence : determination
D) current : switch C) prescription : diagnosis
E) fan : wind D) quiescence : storm
E) regression : violence
12.RAGE : ANGER ::
A) Bliss : apathy
B) fear : shame
20. DISCUSSION : ALTERCATION ::
C) delight : pleasure A) planning : action
D) frustration : patience B) speech : tirade
E) approval : censure C) uncertainty : change
D) dialogue : conversation
13. VERTEX : PYRAMID :: E) group : convention
A) strand : hair
B) rectangle : box 21.CAPTAIN : CREW ::
C) rung : ladder A) Student : faculty
D) frame : picture
B) mascot : team
E) summit : mountain
C) defendant : jury
14. MOVIE : DIRECTOR :: D) chairperson : committee
A) store : salesperson E) representative : senate
B) business : manager
C) book : critic 22. HOMESTRETCH : RACE ::
D) competition : athlete (A) source : essay
E) product : advertiser (B) gallery : play
(C) finale : opera

(D) applause : oration B) gallery : paintings
(E) prelude : concerto C) sachet : powders
D) archives : events
23. ROBBERY : THIEF :: E) factory : furniture
A) jewelry : burglar
25. PILGRIM : PIETY ::
B) forgery : counterfeiter A) explore : curiosity
C) hostage : kidnapper B) miser : poverty
D) sabotage : plunderer C) gambler : winner
E) capture : fugitive D) knight : beauty
E) monk : loneliness
24. MENAGERIE : ANIMALS ::
A) circus : acrobats
# Exercise 2
Q.1 Q.2
HANGER : AIRPLANCE :: VANE : WIOND DIRECTION ::
A. Stable : horse A. thermometer : mercury
B. canal : ship B. speedometer : pedal
C. lobby : administrator C. hourglass : sand
D. junkyard : automobile D. barometer : heat
E. bed : river E. sundial : time
Q.3 C. sunlight : plant

ANONYMOUS : NAME D. spray : tree
A. colorful : hue E. flame : bird
B. enormous : size Q.8
C. shapeless : form ARDENT : INTERESTED ::
D. brief : significance A. depressed : cheerful
E. precise : measurement B. bored : curious
C. shy : listless
Q.4 D. incensed : annoyed
SYMPATHY : EMOTION :: E. wise : detached
A. sorrow : happiness
B. friendship : relationship Q.9
C. pride : punishment VOGUE : ACCEPTED
D. criticism : guilt A. VOGUE : ACCEPTED
E. harshness : helpfulness B. transition : unchanged
C. jeopardy : voided
Q.5 D. abundance : desired
HABIT : CUSTOMARY :: E. disrepute : shunned
A. response : coordinated
B. impulse : corrective Q.10
C. reflex : involuntary HYPERBOLE : LANGUAGE :
D. concern : commendatory A. prodigality : spending
E. performance : descriptive B. whimsicality : poetry
C. idiom : slang
Q.6 D. repetition : behavior
THREAT : HOSTILITY :: E. ambition : working
A. plea : clemency
B. promise : benevolence Q.11
C. lampoon : raise STUDIO : ARTIST ::
D. capitulation : malice A. play : dramatist
E. compliment : admiration B. cathedral : architect
C. blackboard : professor
Q.7 D. laboratory : chemist
MAGNET : IRON :: E. quarry : sculptor
A. tank : fluid
B. hook : net Q.12
RIPPLE : TIDAL WAVE :: Q.19
A. breeze : hurricane PREPOSTEROUS : COMMONSENSE::
B. blizzard : avalanche A. illegal : law
C. valley : earthquake B. chtonic : pain
D. puddle : downpour C. indelible : error
E. rock : waterfall D. justifiable : logic
E. hilarious : laughter
Q.13
EDUCATIONAL : IGNORANCE Q.20
A. book : knowledge CLASH : COLOR ::
B. door : entrance A. intensity : sensation
C. reason : philosophy B. glimpse : vision
D. medicine : disease C. pebble : texture
E. work : recreation D. dissonance : sound
E. absurdity : perception
Q.14
BOW : VIOLIN :: Q.21
A. music : piano FORMIDABLE : FEAR ::
B. brass : trumpet A. intolerable : patience
C. note : flute B. grateful : regret
D. string : guitar C. sickening : disgust
E. drumstick : drum D. generous : pity
E. dismal : cheer
Q.15
DUMBFOUND : ASTONISHMENT Q.22
A. exasperate : frustration BASTION : DEFENSE ::
B. domineer : rebellion A. arsenal : storage
C. evaluate : incompetence B. anchorage : supply
D. err : punishment C. citadel : concealment
E. repulse : admiration D. asylum : embarkation
E. pavilion : fortification
Q.16
INTRODUCTION : CONCLUSION :: Q.23
A. announcement : news SAGA : LENGTHY ::
B. greeting : farewell A. proverb : pithy
C. birth : marriage B. eulogy : candid
D. arrival : salutation C. poem : humorous
E. friendship : termination D. play : short-lived
E. novel : acclaimed
Q.17
STRIKE : WORK :: Q.24
A. postpone : cancel BIRDS : AVIRARY ::
B. censor : learn A. bees : garden
C. incorporate : merge B. cows : herd
D. detour : trespass C. apes : jungle
E. boycott : engineer D. quails : bevy
E. sheep : fold
Q.18
SCALPEL : SURGEON :: Q.25
A. razor : barber LASSITUDE : VIGOR ::
B. weed : gardener A. dedication : employment
C. recipe : chef B. greed : possessions
D. medicine : patient C. indigence : funds
E. compass : engineer D. rehearsal : performance
E. repudiation : theory

UNIT 6
LECTURE 12 & 13
Reading Comprehension


INTRODUCTION
Reading comprehension is the ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning. An
individual's ability to comprehend text is influenced by their traits and skills, one of which is the ability
to make inferences. If word recognition is difficult, students use too much of their processing capacity
to read individual words, which interferes with their ability to comprehend what is read. There are a
number of approaches to improve reading comprehension, including improving one's vocabulary and
reading strategies.
Although word recognition, decoding, and fluency are building blocks of effective reading, the ability to
comprehend text is the ultimate goal of reading instruction. Comprehension is a prerequisite for
acquiring content knowledge and expressing ideas and opinions through discussion and writing.
Comprehension is evident when readers can:

Interpret and evaluate events, dialogue, ideas, and information
Connect information to what they already know
Adjust current knowledge to include new ideas or look at those ideas in a different way
Determine and remember the most important points in the reading
Read “between the lines” to understand underlying meanings
Comprehension strategies work together like a finely tuned machine. The reader begins to construct
meaning by selecting and previewing the text. During reading, comprehension builds through
predicting, inferring, synthesizing, and seeking answers to questions that arise. After reading, deeper
meaning is constructed through reviewing, rereading portions of the text, discussing ideas or
perceptions, and thoughtful reflections. During each of these phases, the reader relates the text to his
own life experiences.
Comprehension is powerful because the ability to construct meaning comes from the mind of the
reader. Therefore, specific comprehension instruction—modeling during read-aloud and shared
reading, targeted mini-lessons, and varied opportunities for practice during small-group and
independent reading—is crucial to the development of strategic, effective readers.
TYPES OF COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES
There are six main types of comprehension strategies (Harvey and Goudvis; 2000):
Make Connections—Readers connect the topic or information to what they already know about
themselves, about other texts, and about the world.
This reminds me of a time when I…
I know about this topic because I…
The setting of this book is just like …
This book is something like…
What's going on in this book is just like what's happening in…
Ask Questions—Readers ask themselves questions about the text, their reactions to it, and the
author's purpose for writing it.
0. Before I read this text, I wonder about…
1. While I'm reading, I try to figure out…
2. After I read, I ask myself…
3. I wonder why…
4. What does this word mean?
Why do
6. did that?

What is going to happen
7. next?
Why did the author put that part in there?
I have questions about this part because it doesn't make sense. I need to make sure I read
it right. If I reread and fix a mistake, that might answer my question.
Visualize—Readers make the printed word real and concrete by creating a “movie” of the text in
their minds.
The author gives me a picture in my mind when he or she describes…
I can really see what the author talks about when he or she…
I can draw a picture of what the author describes.
Determine Text Importance—Readers (a) distinguish between what's essential versus what's
interesting, (b) distinguish between fact and opinion, (c) determine cause-and-effect relationships,
(d) compare and contrast ideas or information, (e) discern themes, opinions, or perspectives, (f)
pinpoint problems and solutions, (g) name steps in a process, (h) locate information that answers
specific questions, or (i) summarize.
I know these parts of the story are important because they match my purpose for reading,
which was…
I believe the author is important
2. thinks because…
I think the author's opinion i
3. about s because…
This text uses the (cause/effect, problem/solution, description, compare/contrast,
sequence/steps in a process) text structure. I can use a graphic organizer to help me
understand it.
I see lots of information right here. I need to identify which parts are important and
which parts are just interesting.
All these ideas are important, but I think some are more important than others. I need to
determine which ideas are the most important.
This (chart, table, graph, time line) helps me understand that…
These (boldfaced words, font changes, bullets, captions) help me locate what is important.
Let me take the big ideas and summarize the text.
Make Inferences—Readers merge text clues with their prior knowledge and determine
answers to questions that lead to conclusions about underlying themes or ideas.
The author says this, but means...

If I read between the lines, the author tells me that..
The clues to prove my inference are...
Because of what the author said, I know that...
From the clues or information the author gives, I can conclude that...
6. I think that will happen next because the author says .
Synthesize—Readers combine new information with existing knowledge to form original ideas,
new lines of thinking, or new creations.
This story or passage is really about... My views on this are...

2. My opinion of is...
I first about the topic. Now I
3. thought think...
I've read a lot of information. Let me stop and think about this for a minute.
My judgment of this information is...
From this information, I can generalize that...
TYPES OF READING TEXTS

Reading passages usually concern these areas:
1. Natural Sciences
2. Arts and Humanities
3. Social Sciences (Science and culture)
4. Literary Fiction (Literature)
5. Personal Narrative
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. Discovering main idea
2. Identifying detail / fact
3. Drawing conclusions / predicting outcomes
4. Distinguishing between fact and opinion
5. Understanding cause and effect
6. Comparing and contrasting ideas
7. Determining Author’s Purpose
KEY FACTORS
1. Motivation and Purpose
2. Vocabulary and Previous Knowledge
3. Reading fluency and decoding
4. Nature of Passage (Interest, Difficulty)
5. Genre of text (Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, science etc.)
6. Time limit (Time consuming, GATE)
Who is an effective reader?

Effective reader Less effective reader
Knows his goal in mind Does not know why s/he is reading?
Previews text, heading, topic sentences Starts reading without thinking about topic
Recalls previous knowledge Does not preview text
Makes prediction about the text Does not make predictions
Reads selectively, knows what to skip, to read
carefully Reads whole passage with same intensity
and quickly
Summarizes major ideas Does not summarize
Underlines keywords Relies on memory
TIPS TO IMPROVE GENERAL READING
Read for at least 30 minutes a day.

Read from a variety of sources: newspapers, the Internet, novels, magazines.
Read across a broad range of topics: sports, business, politics, science etc.
Read actively. Develop a habit of being very curious about whatever you're reading!
Always summarize to yourself the material you have just read.
TIPS WHILE TAKING AN EXAM

Don't rush yourself. It is natural that you will start a little slowly and then build up speed as you
gain familiarity with the passage.
Read all the questions first (if the exam format permits this). This will help you zero in on the
relevant portions when you start reading the passage.
Read actively. This means, try to anticipate the next sentence. Reading this way will help
you engage with the passage more closely.
Make notes to capture the essence of each paragraph within the passage. The first sentence
of the paragraph usually conveys the main idea or theme of the paragraph.
Don't try to memorize anything. Memorizing consumes time and is not very useful.
Get the overview. After you have read the passage, ask yourself the following questions:
what is the passage as a whole trying to say?
How does each paragraph contribute to the broad message of the passage?
Vocabulary: Use context clues to determine the word’s meaning.
SOLUTION TO TIME MANAGEMENT

Skimming - Zig – zag movement of the eye
Accompanied by grasping of major ideas of the passage
Scanning (Eye reading)
Reading using ones eyes and getting details, as in, facts, figures, examples (Specific info.)
TIPS TO READ LONG TEXTS

Identify key word/s based on given questions
First read instructions/questions carefully (1st Activity)
Lengthy passage, answer in last line
Identify Connectors, indicators
To find a coherence, chronology, sequencing of events
A logical connection in the passage
Transition or contrasting words that indicate a shift in the text’s meaning, such as next, before,
then, consequently, moreover, in addition, but, however, perhaps.
Avoid translating each word or idiom in a sentence.
Review your notes by rereading the text
IDENTIFYING INFERENCE
Usually the question stem will have a word or phrase that will signal it’s an inference question, like
“infer,” “imply,” or “suggests.” Expect questions like these:
“This passage most likely appeared as part of…”

“The author would probably agree (or disagree) with which of the following statements?”
“This article most likely appeared in…”
“The author implies that the best control for unlicensed handguns would be…”
READING TEXT PATTERNS

1. Logical pattern –
Idea – Supporting detail – Example – Conclusion
2. Set pattern – Beginning, Middle, and End
Beginning (To find topic sentence, theme)
Words that indicate/enumerate beginning of an idea initially, outset, first and foremost, this,
that, these, those We need to figure out what these refer to
Middle is kind of enumerating (To find example, additional
info) Firstly, secondly, thirdly, furthermore, In addition to,
however, perhaps
Ending (Topic sentence)

Words that denote an END
Cloze Comprehension Passages

Hence, in conclusion, thus, lastly, therefore, last but not the least, at the end
Cloze reading exercises are short passages or paragraphs where you supply the missing words
which have been removed from the test's passage. A Cloze Reading Test can be referred to as a
"deletion test", as key words in the passage are left blank or deleted for you to fill in.
Sample of a cloze passage:
What is an Eclipse?
An eclipse ---------- [ strikes/ occurs/ arises/ is made] when the shadow of one planet or moon falls on
another. In-------------[ antique/ old/ ancient/ early] times an eclipse was a bad omen. Even today in
some places, the eclipse of the sun is a signal that something is not right in -------- [nature/ earth/
environment/ situation] It may not be that the gods are dissatisfied with the human ------------- [group/
race/ people/ mankind] but it does seem that the end of the world may be coming. Today,
astronomers can ----------- [estimate/ show/ guess/ predict] very accurately when an eclipse will take
place and how long it will last. They can also tell us ----------- [ however/ how/ but/ whether] the eclipse
is total or partial. In a solar eclipse the moon-------------- [ shoots/ spreads/ passes/ hits] directly
between the Earth and the sun. It will eventually end up by------------- [ exposing/ covering/ screening/
guarding] the whole of the sun. Such an eclipse is only------------ [visible/ evident/ obvious/ clear] from
a few places around the world. Observers in certain parts of the world will see the eclipse begin at
one time,-------------- [ though/ where/ nevertheless/ while] in other regions it will start a short time
later.
PRACTICE 1
Read the following sentences and try to choose the best definition for the highlighted word by
searching for context clues in the sentence.
The designer window treatments in her house, installed 17 years ago, were outmoded.
a. unnecessary b. pointless c. out-of-date d. worthless
Although the professor’s lectures were regarded by many as so wearisome that they regularly
put students to sleep, he ignored all criticism and refused to make any changes.
a. modest b. unpleasant c. boring d. objectionable
The baseball player’s malice toward the referee was revealed in his spiteful remarks to the
media, which almost
ruined the referee’s career.
a. vindictive b. crazy c. rude d. Unpleasant.
Although Zachary is much too inexperienced for the managerial position, he is a wilful young man
and obdurately
refuses to withdraw his application.
a. foolishly b. reluctantly c. constantly d. Stubbornly.
His neighbor’s superficial remarks trivialized the property line dispute and infuriated Malcolm.
a. enraged b. Petty. c. insulting d. misleading
When Katya refused to lie to her parents about where she was spending the night, she was
completely ostracized by her usually loyal friends, who had never shunned her before.
a. excluded b. Hurt. c. cheered d. helped
Her fashion sense was usually described as flamboyant, but on the night of the party,
Tanya’s outfit was uncharacteristically modest.
a. impeccable b. Showy. c. sloppy d. unassuming
Mr. Powers was so gullible that he believed even the most outlandish excuses of his insincere
employees.
a. intelligent b. Naïve. c. dishonest d. critical

You cannot become a certified teacher without completing the prerequisite student teaching
assignment.
a. required b. optional c. Preferred. d. advisable
Charles, aware of his susceptibility to gum disease, is diligent about flossing.
a. uncomfortable b. excited c. Thorough. d. ambivalent
Answer the questions based on the following paragraph.
In prolonged space flight, besides the obvious hazards of meteors, rocky debris, and radiation,
astronauts will have to deal with muscle atrophy brought on by weightlessness; therefore, when
they return to Earth, they face a protracted period of weight-training to rebuild their strength.
What is the most likely meaning of the underlined word debris as it is used in this passage?
a. fragments b. decay c. bacteria d. alien life
The underlined word atrophy, as used in the paragraph,

most nearly means a. pain. b. wasting. c. weakening. d.
cramping.
Most of the women in the orchestra wore conventional black skirts and white shirts during concerts
and had their hair neatly pulled back. Robin, with her brightly colored clothing and unusual
hairstyles, was considered quite eccentric.
What is the meaning of the underlined word eccentric as it is used in the sentence?
a. unconventional. b. joyful c. unreliable d. proud

The “ami are an indigenous people living in the northern parts of Norway, “weden, Finland, and
‘ussia’s Kola peninsula. Originally, the Sami religion was animistic; that is, for them, nature and
natural objects had a conscious life, a spirit. Therefore, one was expected to move quietly in the
wilderness and avoid making a disturbance out of courtesy to these spirits. Ghengis Khan is said to
have declared that the Sami were one people he would never try to fight again. Because the Sami
were not warriors and did not believe in war, they simply disappeared in times of conflict. They were
known as “peaceful retreaters.”
Based on the tone of the passage, which of the following words best describes the
author’s attitude toward the Sami people?
a. admiring b. pitying c. contemptuous d. patronizing
2. What is the meaning of the underlined word courtesy as it is

used in the passage? a. timidity b. caution c. respect d. fear
The closest meaning of the underlined word animistic, as it is

used in the passage, is a. the irrational belief in supernatural beings.
b. the belief that animals and plants
have souls. c. the belief that animals
are gods.
d. the primitive belief that people can be
reincarnated as animals.
Choose the topic sentence for the given passage

14. The term spice is a pleasant one, whether it connotes fine French cuisine or a down-home,
cinnamon-flavored apple
pie. . In the past, individuals traveled the world seeking exotic spices for profit and, in searching,
have changed the course of history. Indeed, to gain control of lands harboring new spices, nations
have actually gone to war. a. The taste and aroma of spices are the main elements that make food
such a source of fascination and pleasure.
b. The term might equally bring to mind Indian curry made thousands of miles away and those
delicious barbecued ribs sold on the corner.
It is exciting to find a good cookbook and experiment with spices from other lands—indeed; it
is one way to travel around the globe!
The history of spices, however, is another matter altogether, and at times, it can be filled with
danger and intrigue.
Rewrite the topic sentence in your own words
15. It weighs less than three pounds and is hardly more interesting to look at than an overly ripe
cauliflower.
. It has created poetry and music, planned and executed horrific wars,
and devised intricate scientific theories. It thinks and dreams, plots and schemes, and easily holds
more information than all the libraries on Earth.
a. The human brain is made of gelatinous matter and contains no nerve endings.
b. The science of neurology has found a way to map the most important areas of the human brain.
158
c. Nevertheless, the human brain is the most mysterious and complex object on Earth.
d. However, scientists say that each person uses only 10% of his or her brain over the course of a
lifetime!

Gary is a distinguished looking man with a touch of gray at the temples. Even in his early 50s, he
still turns heads. He enjoys spending most of his time admiring his profile in the mirror. In fact, he
considers his good looks to be his second-most important asset. The first, however, is money. He is
lucky in this area, too, having been born into a wealthy family..He loves the power his wealth has
given him. He could buy whatever he desires, whether that be people, places, or things. Gary checks
that mirror often and feels great delight with what he sees. a. Gary’s gray hair is his worst
characteristic.
b. Conceit is the beginning and the end of Gary’s character; conceit of person and situation.
c. Gary feels blessed to be wealthy and the joy consumes his every thought.
d. The only objects of Gary’s respect are others who hold positions in society above him.
Choose the sentence that best develops or supports the given topic sentence.
17. Life on Earth is ancient and, even at its first appearance, unimaginably complex.
a. Scientists place its beginnings at some three billion years ago, when they hypothesize that the
first molecule floated up out of the ooze with the unique ability to replicate itself.
b. The most complex life form is, of course, the mammal—and the most complex mammal is
humankind.
c. It is unknown exactly where life started, where the first molecule was “born” that had the ability to
replicate itself.
d. Darwin’s theory of evolution was one attempt to explain what essentially remains a great
mystery.
Write a suitable conclusion for the given topic sentence
18. Cosmetic plastic surgery is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. medicine.
a. Cosmetic plastic surgery can have dangerous side effects, some of which can be fatal.
b. Americans are eager to make their bodies as perfect as possible and to minimize the visible
signs of aging.
c. The price of cosmetic plastic surgery is also on the rise.
d. This increase in cosmetic plastic surgery says something quite disturbing about our culture.
19. One scientific theory of the origin of the universe is the much misunderstood big bang theory.
Physicists now believe they can construct what happened in the universe during the first
three minutes of its beginning.
Many scientists believe that, during microwave experiments, we can actually “hear” echoes of the
big bang.
The popular notion is that the big bang was a huge explosion in space, but this is far too simple a
159
description.
The big bang theory, if accepted, convinces us that the universe was not always as it is now.

Before we learn how to truly love someone else, we must learn how to love the
face in the mirror. a. Don’t be shy about meeting members of the opposite sex.
b. No one can really love you the way you can
love yourself. c. Love is not something that lasts
unless one is very lucky.
d. Learning to accept ourselves for who we are will teach us how to accept another person.
160

DIFFERENT TONES
Tone is nothing but the writer or the author’s attitude toward the topic
Positive Tone
blithe fervent poignant
compassionate flippant reassuring
complimentary gleeful reflective
conciliatory gushy reverent
earnest hilarious sanguine
ebullient introspective sprightly
effusive laudatory tranquil
euphoric modest whimsical
exhilarated nostalgic wistful
facetious placid zealous
Negative Tone
self-
deprecati
abhorring curt gloomy outraged ng
acerbic cynical grave paranoid sinister
ambivalent derisive grim patronizing skeptical
derogator
antagonistic y hostile pedantic sly
belligerent diabolic indignant pensive solemn
bewildered enraged inflammatory pessimistic somber
biting evasive insolent pretentious stern
conceited fatalistic irreverent reticent stolid
forebodin
condescending g melancholy sardonic strident
contemptuous frantic ominous scornful wry
DIFFERENT MOODS
Mood is the air around the passage, the feel that is transferred to the reader while reading the
passage.
Positive
Mood
amused dreamy harmonious optimistic sentimental
awed ecstatic hopeful passionate silly
bouncy empowered hyper peaceful surprised
calm energetic idyllic playful sympathetic
cheerful enlightened joyous pleased thankful
chipper enthralled jubilant refreshed thoughtful
confident excited liberating rejuvenated touched
contemplative exhilarated light-hearted relaxed trustful
content flirty loving relieved vivacious
determined giddy mellow satiated warm
dignified grateful nostalgic satisfied welcoming
Negative
Mood
aggravated crushed envious hostile merciless
annoyed cynical exhausted indifferent moody
anxious depressed fatalistic infuriated morose
apathetic desolate foreboding insidious nauseated

apprehensive disappointed frustrated intimidated nervous
barren discontented futile irate nightmarish
brooding distressed gloomy irritated numb

overwhelm
cold drained grumpy jealous ed
confining dreary haunting lethargic painful
confused embarrassed heartbroken lonely pensive
cranky enraged hopeless melancholic pessimistic
PRACTICE 2
Choose any 10 tones and 10 moods (5 each positive and negative) from the given
list and make statements that DO NOT use the word but ELICIT the meaning of the
word.
Example:
Tone: Nostalgic
When I visited my grandparents this summer, I yearned for those days that I
spent as a kid around them. Mood: Enraged
Darn! I feel drivers are crazy nowadays.
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:
Tone:

Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Mood:
Determine the tone and mood of the following passages

Let’s say every religion has procedure for the marriage contract or bonding two people in such a
relationship that could frame out respect for generations. Traditions and cultures are different. But a
bonding aspect, the need of living or the instinctive desires are the same. They could not be
negotiated or could not be denied. Now can Muslims say only Nikkah is legitimate factor for the
bonding. No. But yes as it is Sunnah of Holy Prophet so it is the right way But repeating Sunnah with
out the spirit of Sunnah is wrong just to fulfill the need for sake not the respectful worthy values of
life. Nowadays this legitimate aspect is equal to lust fulfillment. So when the generation is being
raised in such circumstances they neglect the original version of the topic and practical aspect. What
ever be the easier way to fulfill the need they may adopt that. So the young generations though they
are in Muslim community or in Muslim countries they are equally doing the same stuff which is legally,
morally and
religiously not legitimate. They support this ideology because they themselves lack the practice
and they didn’t watch their times to follow this religiously.
a. Authoritative b. Questioning c. Cynical

The avenues to death are numerous and strange. A London paper mentions the decease of a person
from a singular cause. He was playing at 'puff the dart,' which is played with a long needle inserted
in some worsted, and blown at a target through a tin tube. He placed the needle at the wrong end of
the tube, and drawing his breath strongly to puff the dart forward with force, drew the needle into his
throat. It entered the lungs, and in a few days killed him." Upon seeing this I fell into a great rage,
without exactly knowing why. "This thing," I exclaimed, "is a contemptible
falsehood -- a poor hoax -- the lees of the invention of some pitiable penny-a-liner -- of some wretched
concoctor of accidents in Cocaigne. These fellows, knowing the extravagant gullibility of the age, set
their wits to work in the imagination of improbable possibilities -- of odd accidents, as they term them;
but to a reflecting intellect (like mine," I added, in parenthesis, putting my forefinger unconsciously to
the side of my nose,) "to a contemplative understanding such as I myself possess, it seems evident
at once that the marvelous increase of late in these 'odd accidents' is by far the oddest accident of
all. For my own part, I intend to believe nothing henceforward that has
anything of the 'singular' about it.“
a. Enraged b. sarcastic c. skeptical
Commencing then with the first of the above-named characteristics, I say that it would be well to be
reputed
liberal. Nevertheless, liberality exercised in a way that does not bring you the reputation for it,
injures you; for if
one exercises it honestly and as it should be exercised, it may not become known, and you will not
avoid the
reproach of its opposite. Therefore, anyone wishing to maintain among men the name of liberal is
obliged to avoid
no attribute of magnificence; so that a prince thus inclined will consume in such acts all his
property, and will be
compelled in the end, if he wish to maintain the name of liberal, to unduly weigh down his people,
and tax them,
and do everything he can to get money. This will soon make him odious to his subjects, and
becoming poor he will
be little valued by any one; thus, with his liberality, having offended many and rewarded few, he is
affected by the
very first trouble and imperiled by whatever may be the first danger; recognizing this himself, and
wishing to draw
back from it, he runs at once into the reproach of being
The primary mode of composition of the passage is:
a. Narration b. description c. cause and effect d. argument
Pea Protein is a complete protein with all essential amino acids and is particularly high in branched
chain amino acids as well as arginine, lysine and phenyalaline. It has a very well balanced essential
amino acid profile that fits the requirements set by the world health organization for adults..
Branched chain amino acids have been shown to keep the body in a state of muscle building
all day long. This anabolic effect increases strength gains while helping the body burn fat and
improve lean tissue .
The Key BCAA’s include leucine, valine and isoleucine. Pea Protein is the best non-animal source
of these powerful BCCAs and with its 98% absorbency rate it rivals Whey Protein for its effects on
metabolism and lean body tissue.
a. Cynical b. Persuasive c. Informative d. Narrative
Determine the main idea of the following passages

If you’re a fitness walker, there is no need for a commute to a health club. Your neighborhood can
be your health club. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to get a good workout either. All you
need is a well-designed pair of athletic shoes.
fitness walking is a better form of exercise than weight lifting.
a membership in a health club is a poor investment.
walking outdoors provides a better workout than walking indoors.
fitness walking is a convenient and valuable form of exercise.
poorly designed athletic shoes can cause major foot injuries.
One New York publisher has estimated that 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States want an
anthology that includes the complete works of William Shakespeare. And what accounts for this
renewed interest in Shakespeare? As scholars point out, the psychological insights he portrays in
both male and female characters are amazing even today.
Shakespeare’s characters are more interesting than fictional characters today.
people today are interested in “Shakespeare’s work because of the characters.
academic scholars are putting together an anthology of “Shakespeare’s work.
New Yorkers have a renewed interested in the work of Shakespeare.
e. Shakespeare was a psychiatrist as well as a playwright.
There are no effective boundaries when it comes to pollutants. Studies have shown that toxic
insecticides that have been banned in many countries are riding the wind from countries where
they remain legal. Compounds such as DDT and toxaphene have been found in remote places
like the Yukon and other Arctic regions.
toxic insecticides such as DDT have not been banned throughout the world.
more pollutants find their way into polar climates than they do into warmer areas.
studies have proven that many countries have ignored their own anti-pollution laws.
DDT and toxaphene are the two most toxic insecticides in the world.
even a worldwide ban on toxic insecticides would not stop the spread of DDT pollution.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens against unreasonable searches
and seizures. No search of a person’s home or personal effects may be conducted without a
written search warrant issued on probable cause. This means that a neutral judge must approve
the factual basis justifying a search before it can be conducted.
legal authorization.
direct evidence of a crime.
read the person his or her constitutional rights.
a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred.
requested that a judge be present.
Mathematics allows us to expand our consciousness. Mathematics tells us about economic

trends, patterns of disease, and the growth of populations. Math is good at exposing the truth,
but it can also perpetuate misunderstandings and untruths. Figures have the power to mislead
people.
the study of mathematics is dangerous.
words are more truthful than figures.
the study of mathematics is more important than other disciplines.
the power of numbers is that they cannot lie.
figures are sometimes used to deceive people.

TYPES OF RCs
Type Expected comprehension

Descriptive, Analytical, Expository, Argumentative type
paragraphs that are based
Prose
on factual information
Poetry poems, maybe complete or mere excerpts
Dialogues conversations between 2 or more
Rearrangement Instructions, procedures and alike
Public Address Famous speeches
Editorial Opinion of an author, news excerpts
Product Review Analysis and understanding of a commercial entity
Comparative study Comparative Understanding and Prioritization
Political study Importance of Current affairs
Short stories/ article reviews Understanding character building and sequencing
PRACTICE 3
Read the text and answer the questions that follow

1.
O young Lochinvar is come out of the west,
Through all the wide Border his steed was the best;
And save his good broadsword he weapons had none,
He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone.
ve, and so dauntless in war,
There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.
He staid not for brake, and he stopp’d not for stone,

He swam the Eske river where ford there was none;
But ere he alighted at Netherby gate,
The bride had consented, the gallant came late:
For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war,
Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.
“I long woo’d your daughter, my suit you denied;—

Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide—
And now I am come, with this lost love of mine,
To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far,
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”
There was mounting ’mong Graemes of the

Netherby clan;
Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode
and they ran:
There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee,
But the lost bride of Netherby ne’er did they see. - Sir Walter Scott
So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,
Have ye e’er heard of gallant like young
Lochinvar?
What does the word “dauntless” mean here?

a) Fearless b) unmatched c) Powerful d) Strength
2 Where is the scene taking place?
. a) England b) Ireland c) Great Britain d) The United Kingdom
167

2.
“Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight – how to get from shore to food
and back again,” author Richard Bach in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston
“eagull. “For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating
that mattered, but flight.” Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes the story soar. Ultimately this is a
fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe, or
neighborhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from
his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan gets the ultimate payoff: transcendence.
Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness. The dreamy seagull photographs by Russell
Munson provide just the right illustrations – although the overall packaging does seem a bit dated
(keep in mind that it was first published in 1970). Nonetheless, this is a spirituality classic and an
especially engaging parable for adolescents.
What is the novel about?
A bird trying to fly
A bird trying to fish
The author trying to understand seagulls
a gull seeking a higher purpose
Banished means
promoted
killed
ostracized
allowed
Transcendence refers to
Storage of information
Foresightedness
Supersonic flight speed
Beyond material experience
The novel is specially suggested for
Teenagers
Toddlers
Adults
Preschoolers
A suitable title for the passage would be
A Preview of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
A Review of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
A View of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
An Overview of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Johnny’s Breakfast Omelette - Preparation method

Take your eggs and crack them into a bowl – don’t put them directly into the pan as you need
to mix them first! Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the eggs and stir in the milk.
Beat the eggs with a fork, first use the fork to break the yolks of the eggs (this makes beating
the eggs easier). Then tip the bowl gently and using a fork in a circular motion beat the eggs
until the yolks and whites are combined and the mixture has an even colour.
Bring your pan to a high heat and add the butter. Pour in your egg mixture and cook on a
high heat for 2 minutes, making sure that the mixture is spread out evenly. Reduce the heat.
As the egg begins to set, use a spatula to push the set egg towards the omelette centre, tilting
the pan so the runny egg fills the space. Add the tomatoes and most of the cheese and
parsley. Arrange the ham on top.
Cook the omelette for another minute, then loosen the edges with a spatula. Slide the omelette
from the pan onto a warmed plate, tilting the pan so that the omelette folds nicely on the plate.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and parsley, then serve.
1. Beat the eggs mean

b. Smash the eggs c. Squeeze the eggs d. Break the
a. Mix the eggs eggshell
2. In the passage, what is the purpose of the spatula?
Mixing the b. breaking the c. Handling the d. Frying the
a. eggs eggs eggs eggs
Choose the odd one
3. out
Ham b. Butter c. Parsley d.
a. Tomato
Choose the correct order of items

Milk > Egg > Butter > Cheese > Ham
Egg > Milk > Butter > Ham > Tomato
Egg > Milk > Butter > Cheese > Ham
Egg > Butter > Milk > Parsley > Ham
Sprinkle means
a. Spray finely b. Dropping pieces c. Arrange across d. Disperse
loosely
4.
A little over two decades after what occurred at the old Jurassic Park, the action now takes place on
an island off the coast of Costa Rica that is home to a massive and carefully monitored dinosaur
theme park. A group of brilliant scientists have created a hybrid dinosaur called Indominus Rex as
the star attraction of the facility. Their new 'creation' so to speak, goes on a rampage and threatens
the lives of everyone in Jurassic World.
Jurassic World evokes the same sense of excitement and awe that we saw in the very first Jurassic
Park movie and builds on it, giving the creatures we see on screen a palpable sense of realism,
that's completely compelling. Two brothers, Gray (Simpkins) and Zach (Robinson) are left in the
care of their aunt Claire (Howard) by their emotional mom (Greer) in Jurassic World for a dayof fun
in that prehistoric paradise. The park owner, Simon Masrani (Khan, who nails it) has big ideas for
the future of Jurassic World, thanks to the crowd-pulling power (they hope!) of the Indominus Rex,
and he is supported in his plans by marketing whiz Claire. However, Owen (Pratt) who has raised
four Velociraptors, doesn't really like the way Claire treats the dinosaurs like numbers on a spread
sheet rather than living creatures. His approach is hands-on, rather than the others who monitor
things from a safe distance. Claire and Owen's chemistry however, is apparent from the first frame
that they share.
Owen, an ex-Marine, also doesn't see eye to eye with Hoskins (D'Onofrio), an arrogant defence
contractor who would rather train the dinosaurs with implanted gadgetry to be potential weapons
of war, replacing human soldiers. Later on though, it is only Owen and Claire, with a little help
from some friendly dinosaurs, who can save the day. Although the film is safely formulaic, it is
executed with finesse. The effects are superb, the action is supersized and ultimately, if there is
just one word that can describe this movie, that word would be 'awesome'.
1. The review of the movie is

a. Assertive b. cynical c. sarcastic d. appreciative
2. Hands on approach is
Through the hands b. c. hand d. none of the
a. Practical held above
Hybrid, in the passage,

3. means
synthesiz b.
a. ed joint c. mutant d. special
4. The word finesse means
Refineme b. c.
a. nt finite fine d. accuracy
This movie of the Jurassic Park series
Fails live upto its predecessors
Manages to reach a standard
Safely awes the crowd as the entire series
Shows nothing realistically created

5.
[Sherlock Holmes interviews Madame Simza Heron]
Madame Simza Heron: If you have a specific question, hold it in your mind.
Sherlock Holmes: Hmm. [Simza picks up her cards] Um... [points to his head to indicate
that he is holding a question down in his mind] Hold it.
Madame Simza Heron: Let me know when you're ready.
Sherlock Holmes: Actually, I'd prefer to read your fortune. [takesSimza's cards and flips
through them]Temperance.[sets
a card down on the table]Inverted.Indicative of volatility.A woman who has recently taken
comfort in drink. From what
does she seek solace? What does she not wish to see?
Madame Simza Heron: A fool embarrassing himself?
Sherlock Holmes: [smirks] Ah, yes. The fool.[puts down another card that says "Le Fou"]
Someone has been led astray, involved in something without their knowledge.
Madame Simza Heron: Not bad, but, um, you have to make me believe you. I have to see
it in your eyes. Sherlock Holmes: Right, I can do better. [sets another card down] The two
of cups: a powerful bond. But between whom?A brother and sister, perhaps?[Simza looks
at Holmes, realizing what his words mean] And I see a name. Yes, it's.... "Rene".
Madame Simza Heron: What do you want?
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil. [Places a Devil card on top of the other cards]
Madame Simza Heron: Why are we playing this game? [Holmes pulls out of his jacket the
letter he snatched from Irene at the auction house; Simza examines it] Where did you get
this?
Sherlock Holmes: I stole it from a woman at an auction room, but I believe it was intended
for you. [Simza unfolds the paper inside the envelope, revealing a sketch of Rene's face;
Simza reads the letter on the other side]
Madame Simza Heron: "Sim, my love. Remember my face, as you will never see it again.
That is the price I must pay to change the course of history. I have finally found my purpose
in life-"
Sherlock Holmes: Found my purpose in life. So, the question I've been holding is, "What
purpose is Rene fulfilling?" [Simza looks up from the letter]
Madame Simza Heron: Time is up. I have other clients.
Sherlock Holmes: Though you may not have detected the wisp of astrakhan snagged on a
nail over my left shoulder, you couldn't have failed to notice the overpowering aroma of
herring pickled in vodka, in tandem with a truly unfortunate body odour. There's a man
concealed in the rafters above us: a Cossack - renowned for their infeasible acrobatic
abilities, and are notorious for moonlighting as assassins. So it's safe to presume that your
next client is here to kill you. [smiles] Anything else?[Simza does not answer] No? [Holmes
starts to leave, but suddenly turns around and pulls out an umbrella, hooks it around the
Cossack’s knee and pulls on it, causing him to fall out of his hiding place and attack’s the
Cossack. He then turns to “imza and says]Come with me. I need you alive. Now!
Why is Holmes meeting Simza?
She is a fortune teller
She has information about Rene
He wants her alive
He wanted to protect her from being killed by a Cossack
‘ene is “imza’s
171
Husband
Wife
Brother

Daughter
Holmes believes that “imza might have failed to notice “wisp of astrakhan”on his shoulders
but not
A man concealed in her ceiling
Her next client
The strong odour of alcohol
The letter that Holmes wanted Simza to read
“Moonlighting” in the context refers to
172

Camouflaging
Part timing
Enjoying
Prevailing
“Cossack” in the context refers to
drunkard
magician
assassin
client
Tutorial -8
READING COMPREHENSION
8.1 Beginner level

# Exercise 1
Refer to the following passage for questions 1 to 4.
When using a metal file, always remember to bear down on the forward stroke only. On the return stroke, lift the
file clear of the surface to avoid dulling the instrument’s teeth. Only when working on very soft metals is it advisable
to drag the file’s teeth slightly on the return stroke. This helps clear out metal pieces from between the teeth.
It is best to bear down just hard enough to keep the file cutting at all times. Too little pressure uses only the tips of
the teeth, while too much pressure can chip the teeth. Move the file in straight lines across the surface. Use a vise to
grip the work so that your hands are free to hold the file. Protect your hands by equipping the file with a handle. Buy
a wooden handle and install it by inserting the pointed end of the file into the handle hole.
1. These directions show you how to…
A. Work with a hammer.
B. Use a file.
C. Polish a file.
D. Oil a vise.
E. Repair shop tools.
2. When using a file…
A. Always bear down on the return stroke.
B. Move it in a circle.
C. Remove the handle.
D. Press down on the forward stroke.
E. Wear protective gloves.
3. When working on soft metals, you can…
A. Remove the handle.
B. Clear metal pieces from the teeth.
C. Bear down very hard on the return stroke.
D. File in circles.
E. Strengthen them with added wood.
4. Protect your hands by…
A. Dulling the teeth.
B. Dragging the teeth on the backstroke.
C. Using a vise.
D. Installing a handle.
E. Wearing safety gloves.
173
Refer to the following passage for questions 5 to 8.

The first person in the group starts off by naming anything that is geographical. It could be a city, state, country,
river, lake, or any proper geographical term. For example, the person might say, “Boston.” The second person has 10
seconds to think of how the word ends and come up with another geographical term starting with that letter. The
second participant might say, “Norway,” because the geographical term has to start with “N.” The third person
would have to choose a word beginning with “Y.” If a player fails to think of a correct answer within the time limit,
that player is out of the game. The last person to survive is the champion.
5. This game may help you with…
A. History.
B. Music.
C. Geography.
D. Sports.
E. Current events.
6. The person trying to answer needs…
A. No time limit.
B. To know geography only.
C. To ignore the last letters of words.
D. To know something about spelling and geography.
E. To be a good speller.
7. Before you choose your own word, think about how…
A. The last word starts.
B. The last word ends.
C. Smart you are.
D. Long the last word is.
E. The first word is spelled.
8. The answer must be…
A. In New York.
B. Within the United States.
C. A proper geographical term.
D. In the same region.
E. Along a coast line.
Refer to the following passage for questions 9 through 12.

Always read the meter dials from the right to the left. This procedure is much easier, especially if any of the dial
hands are near the zero mark. If the meter has two dials, and one is smaller than the other, then it is not imperative
to read the smaller dial because it only registers a small amount. Read the dial at the right first. As the dial turns
clockwise, always record the figure the pointer has just passed. Read the next dial to the left and record the figure it
has just passed. Continue recording the figures on the dials from right to left. When finished, mark off the number of
units recorded. Dials on water and gas meters usually indicate the amount each dial records.
9. These instructions show you how to…
A. Read a meter.
B. Turn the dials of a meter.
C. Install a gas meter.
D. Repair a water meter.
E. Be prepared for outside employment.
10. Always read the meter dials…
A. From top to bottom.
B. From right to left.
C. From left to right.
D. From the small to the large dial.
E. From the large dial to the small dial.
11. As you read the first dial, record the figures…
A. On the smaller dial.
B. The pointer is approaching.
174
C. The pointer has just passed.

D. At the top.
E. At the bottom.
12. When you have finished reading the meter, mark off…
A. The number of units recorded.

B. The figures on the small dial.
C. The total figures.
D. All the zero marks.
E. The last reading of the month.
Questions 13 to 16 refer to the following passage:

First, be sure to keep the broken ends quiet. Keep the adjacent joints still. Should these joints bend, the muscles will
act against the fractured bone and cause motion. Give the victim first aid for shock. Apply a sterile dressing to the
fracture if it is compound. Do not try to push back a protruding bone. When you are splinting the fractured area, the
end will slip back when the limb is straightened. An ice bag should be used with all fractures, sprains, and
dislocations. A simple method of preventing motion of the fragments is to place the limb on pillows. Splints may also
be used to keep the limb from moving. Breaks of the ribs or skull bone need no splints as they are held fast by other
bones and tissue.
13. This article will help you to…
A. Make a splint.
B. Care for broken bones.
C. Care for bad burns.
D. Make a sterile dressing.
E. Inform you of the doctor’s duties.
14. The first thing to do for a fracture is…
A. Keep the broken ends quiet.
B. Use an ice bag.
C. Push back the protruding bone.
D. Make a splint.
E. Clean the area.
15. If the fracture is compound…
A. Keep the broken ends quiet.
B. Use an ice bag.
C. Push back the protruding bone.
D. Make a splint.
E. Apply a sterile dressing.
16. A break which needs no splint is one in the…
A. Arm.
B. Foot.
C. Leg.
D. Ribs.
E. Neck.
# Exercise 2
Passage 1
I felt the wall of the tunnel shiver. The master alarm squealed through my earphones. Almost simultaneously, Jack
yelled down to me that there was a warning light on.Fleeting but spectacular sights snapped into ans out of view,
the snow, the shower of debris, the moon, looming close and big, the dazzling sunshine for once unfiltered by layers
of air. The last twelve hours before re-entry were particular bone-chilling. During this period, I had to go up in to
command module. Even after the fiery re-entry splashing down in 81o water in south pacific, we could still see our
frosty breath inside the command module.
1. The word 'Command Module' used twice in the given passage indicates perhaps that it deals with
A. an alarming journey
B. a commanding situation
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C. a journey into outer space

D. a frightful battle.
Passage 2

Accounting is the information system that records, analyzes, and reports economic transactions, enabling decision
makers to make informed choices when allocating scarce economic resources. It is a tool that enables the user,
whether a business entity or an individual, to make wiser, more informed economic choices. It is an aid to planning,
controlling, and evaluating a broad range of activities. A financial accounting system is intended for use by both the
management of an organization and those outside the organization. Because it is important that financial accounting
reports be interpreted correctly, financial accounting is subject to a set of ___________ guidelines called “generally
accepted accounting principles” (GAAP).
2. The word that would fit most correctly into the blank in the final sentence is
a) discretionary.
b) convenient.
c) austere.
d) stringent
Passage 3
“Uncle” said Luke to the old Sean “You seem to be well fed, though I know no one looks after you. Nor have I seen
you leave your residence at any time. Tell me how you manage it?”
“Because” Sean replied, “I have a good feed every night at Emperor’s orchard. After dark, I go there myself and pick
out enough fruits to last a fortnight.”Luke proposed to accompany his uncle to the orchard. Though reluctant
because of Luke’s habit of euphoric exhibition of extreme excitement, Sean agreed to take him along. At the orchard
while Sean hurriedly collected the fruits and left, Luke on the other hand at the sight of unlimited supply of fruits
was excited and lifted his voice which brought Emperor’s men immediately to his side. They seized him and mistook
him as the sole cause of damage to the orchard. Although Luke reiterated that he was a bird of passage, they
pounded him mercilessly before setting him free.
3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

a. Luke did not take good care of his uncle
b. Emperor was a wicked man
c. Lack of self-control had put Luke into trouble
d. Luke had a habit of speaking loudly
4. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word “Reluctant” used in the passage.
a. Against
b. Resistant
c. Opposed
d. Disinclined
Passage4
Thank you for your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a position in our local government office
for the summer. As you know, funding for summer jobs is limited, and it is impossible for us to offer jobs to all those
who want them. Consequently, we are forced to reject many highly qualified applicants.
5. Which of the following can be inferred from the letter?

(A) Most of those who applied for summer jobs were considered qualified for the available positions.
(B) The applicant who received the letter was considered highly qualified.
(C) Very little funding was available for summer jobs in the government office.
(D) The number of applicants for summer jobs in the government office exceeded the number of summer jobs
available.
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Passage 5
Ratatouille is a dish that has grown in popularity over the last few years. It features eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes,
peppers, and garlic; chopped, mixed, sautéed, and finally, cooked slowly over low heat. As the vegetables cook
slowly, they make their own broth, which may be extended with a little tomato paste. The name ratatouille comes
from the French word touiller,meaning to stir or mix together.

6. Ratatouille can best be described as a
a) French pastry.
b) sauce to put over vegetables.
c) pasta dish extended with tomato paste.
d) vegetable stew.
8.2 Intermediate Level

# Exercise 1
Passage - 1
The issue of road rage requires serious attention. Day by day, it is becoming a great concern. Call it the negligence of
the government or the rashness of the drivers, the underlying fact is that at the end of the day, the common man is
the one who suffers the most. The commoner driving a two-wheeler who is hit by a speeding SUV, even though the
former was following the traffic rules, has nowhere to go in order to seek redressal for his grievances or his injury. A
recent case in point is the accident caused by the speeding luxury car owned by Hema Malini. A family of four driving
a modest Alto was hit by the overspeeding car driven by the actress’s driver. It resulted in the death of the youngest
child of the family and several injuries to the other family members. To add insult to injury, Malini posted negative
comments on a famous social networking website.
Part of the problem lies with the attitude and mentality of the driver behind the steering wheel. The car is a personal
vehicle and one possesses the freedom to drive it independently and at one’s own will. But one must understand
that the road on which one drives is open to the public. This blurring of the dichotomy between the public and the
private leads to reckless behaviour on the roads. Respect for the elderly and pedestrians, so common in countries
abroad, is a thing of rarity to be found in our land. A little consideration to road rules and adoption of simple safety
measures such as fastening of the seat belt, can go a long way in reducing this menace.
Questions:
Q 1 Suggest a suitable title to the passage.
Q 2 Why does the common man suffer grievously in instances of road rage?
Q 3 What should the driver understand?
Q 4 What is the solution to this problem of road rage?
Passage - 2
The art of academic writing is not easy to master. It is a formal skill, which requires precision and accuracy, and is
perfected by continuous and dedicated practice. Academic writing is the skilful exposition and explanation of an
argument, which the writer has carefully researched and developed over a sustained period of time. It is a time-
consuming activity and demands patience and perseverance. But the joy of reading and sharing with others, one’s
succinctly composed piece of argument, is incomparable.
Before beginning to write, the writer must ask himself a few questions – Why am I writing? What is it that I intend to
share with others? What purpose will my writing serve? Have I read enough about the topic or theme about which I
am going to write? If one is hesitant to answer even one of the aforementioned questions, one better not write at
all! Because academic writing is a serious activity – it makes one part of a shared community of readers and writers
who wish to disseminate and learn from well-argued pieces of writing.
The structure of an argumentative essay should take the form of – Introduction (which should be around ten
percent of the entire essay), Body (it should constitute eighty percent of the piece) and the Conclusion (again, ten
per cent of the essay). The introduction should function as the hook which draws the reader in and holds his
attention, the body should include cogent and coherently linked paragraphs and the conclusion should re-state the
argument and offer a substantial ending to the piece.
Questions:
Q 1 What is academic writing?
Q 2 Why is reading an important part of writing?
Q 3 Why should one ask oneself the questions mentioned in the second passage?
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Q 4 What are the components of the structure of an argumentative essay?
Passage – 3
Today’s world can truly be called a “society of the spectacle”, a phrase that the French sociologist and thinker Guy
de Bord used decades earlier. Every act of lived experience has today become a spectacle. It would be a little

incorrect to say that this craze for spectacle-izing everything that occurs around us is a recent phenomenon. If one
had watched The Pirates of The Caribbean movies, one would realise that even in the late eighteenth century,
executions were public events - a large portion of the populace would gather around the site of the hanging in the
city square in order to see justice being meted out in front of their very own eyes. It was also a form of popular
entertainment. It was a sort of a collective public blood-letting.
The spectacle that the contemporary society has become is an overwhelming experience. One enters into a
restaurant, orders an exotic dish – but the proof of having eaten it doesn’t exist until tons of photographs are clicked
from varied angles and shared on social networking sites, one goes for a holiday to a calm and serene location, but is
all the while busy telling the world about it. It as if one has to document every moment of one’s existence. When
does one live that moment then? Perhaps it is in the documentation that one survives these days!
Questions:
Q 1 What is the “Society of the spectacle”?
Q 2 Is it a recent occurrence?
Q 3 Do we really ‘live’ moments now?
Q 4 Besides documentation, what is the other function of the spectacle?
Passage – 4
Surveillance has increased manifold since the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in the U.S. This increase
in surveillance today shapes the relationship between the state and the individual. The state keeps an eye on its
citizens, thereby positing each and every citizen as a potential wrong-doer. For instance, the proliferation of the
CCTV cameras in streets, restaurants and in every imaginable public space. Infact, the camera need not even be
functional in order to make the citizens behave themselves – its mere presence is enough to scare the citizens into
submission. Such is the power of the mere potential of surveillance.
Surveillance studies have shown that these techniques might not be too effective at all times,citizens might feign
decent behaviour in order to avoid themselves from getting into a tussle with the law of the land. But it does not
assure the state of the reformation in the attitude of the citizens. It is a mere eye-wash. It works only when the
citizen truly desires to transform his or her attitude and adopt decency in all walks of life.
The act of constant surveillance makes the state a voyeur – a person who derives pleasure from watching events
unfold in a secretive manner. A recent case in point would be the raid on a hotel in the so-called cosmopolitan city
of Mumbai where young couples were consensually residing. The state has today entered the bed-room. And this is
an unhealthy proposition!
Questions:
Q 1 What is the effect of the state’s surveillance on the individual?
Q 2 Does the CCTV need to be functional all the time?
Q 3 Why is surveillance not effective always?
Q 4 When is surveillance really effective?
Passage – 5
India is a secular, democratic nation. This implies that every religion is treated equally and at par with every other
religion. No religion is accorded any preferential treatment of any kind. All citizens are also free to practice, preach
or profess any religion of their choosing. The state does not have a unified or homogeneous religious following
This unique characteristic of India ensures its unity in diversity. India has been the birthplace of several religions and
is the land where all these religions - such as Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and
so on exist simultaneously, peacefully and harmoniously.
But, some anti-social elements have interpreted the sanctity of religions in a twisted way. No religion preaches
violence or rioting. All the religions are but various ways to reach the Supreme Being, they are paths which lead to
the ultimate truth and salvation, though we refer to the destination by various names such as Jesus, Krishna,
Buddha. Allah and so on. It is important to realize that in order to ensure a peaceful mosaic of cultural distinctness,
the path of non-violence or ahimsa, as given by the Father of the nation, must be followed unwaveringly.
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God created man in his own image. Hence, it follows naturally that there is some divinity within all human beings.
Thus, to kill and murder in the name of religion is blasphemy. Only once the religious fanatics understand this, will
there be perpetual peace in the land.
Questions:
Q 1 What is meant by the term "Secular"?

Q 2 What is special about India's association with religion?
Q 3 Why are human beings divine?
Q 4 How can all religions co-exist peacefully?
# Exercise 2
Passage 1
Questions 1 through 7 refer to the following passage:
In the 16th century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition
to sail around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he served the king of Portugal, but he became involved in the
quagmire of political intrigue at court and lost the king’s favor. After he was dismissed from service by the king of
Portugal, he offered to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain.
A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50 degrees W longitude to Spain and all the
land east of that line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish authority. On
September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships was
exploring the topography of South America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but the
remaining four ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. Finally they found the passage they
sought near 50 degrees S latitude. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but today it is known as the
Strait of Magellan.
One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer sailors were privileged to gaze at that first
panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the meridian now known as the International Date
Line in the early spring of 1521 after 98 days on the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea, many of Magellan’s
men died of starvation and disease.
Later, Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one
ship and 17 sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived to complete the westward journey
to Spain and thus prove once and for all that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge.
1. The 16th century was an age of great ______ exploration.

A. cosmic
B. land
C. mental
D. common man
E. None of the above
2. Magellan lost the favor of the king of Portugal when he became involved in a political ________.
A. entanglement
B. discussion
C. negotiation
D. problem
3. The Pope divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal according to their location on one side or the
other of an imaginary geographical line 50 degrees west of Greenwich that extends in a _________ direction.
A. north and south
B. crosswise
C. easterly
D. south east
E. north and west
4. One of Magellan’s ships explored the _________ of South America for a passage across the continent.
A. coastline
B. mountain range
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C. physical features
D. islands
5. Four of the ships sought a passage along a southern ______.
A. coast

B. inland
C. body of land with water on three sides
D. border
E. Answer not available
6. The passage was found near 50 degrees S of ________.
A. Greenwich
B. The equator
C. Spain
D. Portugal
E. Madrid
7. In the spring of 1521, the ships crossed the _______ now called the International Date Line.
A. imaginary circle passing through the poles
B. imaginary line parallel to the equator
C. area
D. land mass
Passage 2
The following passage refers to questions 8 through 14.
Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history. Together with her husband, Pierre, she
discovered radium, an element widely used for treating cancer, and studied uranium and other radioactive
substances. Pierre and Marie’s amicable collaboration later helped to unlock the secrets of the atom.
Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a professor of physics. At an early age, she
displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for learning prompted her to continue with
her studies after high school. She became disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw
was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the
Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master’s degree and doctorate in physics.
Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists of her day, one of whom
was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years working together in the
physics laboratory. A short time after they discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906.
Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured heartbreaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their
close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had two young daughters
to raise by herself greatly increased her distress.
Curie’s feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her husband as a physics professor
at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a professorship at the world-famous university. In 1911 she
received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness
from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences,
she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical world.
8. The Curies’ _________ collaboration helped to unlock the secrets of the atom.
A. friendly
B. competitive
C. courteous
D. industrious
E. chemistry
9. Marie had a bright mind and a ______ personality.
A. strong
B. lighthearted
C. humorous
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D. strange
E. envious
10. When she learned that she could not attend the university in Warsaw, she felt _________.
A. hopeless
B. annoyed

C. depressed
D. worried
11. Marie _________ by leaving Poland and traveling to France to enter the Sorbonne.
A. challenged authority
B. showed intelligence
C. behaved
D. was distressed
12. _________ she remembered their joy together.
A. Dejectedly
B. Worried
C. Tearfully
D. Happily
E. Irefully
13. Her _________ began to fade when she returned to the Sorbonne to succeed her husband.
A. misfortune
B. anger
C. wretchedness
D. disappointment
E. ambition
14. Even though she became fatally ill from working with radium, Marie Curie was never _________.
A. troubled
B. worried
C. disappointed
D. sorrowful
E. disturbed
Passage 3
The following passage refers to questions 15 through 19.
Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received
much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The most famous of these eruptions occurred in
A.D. 79.
The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption, although one account
unearthed by archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had disturbed the celestial calm during the
preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum,
completely burying the city and filling the harbor with coagulated lava.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii. Sparks from the
burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of the city were destroyed in the conflagration.
Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous sulfuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gases
were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people.
Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the behavior of the
volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist dissects an animal specimen, scientists have concluded that the
eruption changed large portions of the area’s geography. For instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and
raised the level of the beach along the Bay of Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that
Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that affected the world’s climate.
In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using
distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle bones with acrylic paint, scientists have
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been able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the
excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of
bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its tragic consequences have
provided everyone with a wealth of data about the effects that volcanoes can have on the surrounding area. Today,

volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction of other cities and
cultures.
15. Herculaneum and its harbor were buried under _________ lava.
A. liquid
B. solid
C. flowing
D. gas
16. The poisonous gases were not _________ in the air.
A. able to float
B. visible
C. able to evaporate
D. invisible
E. able to condense
17. Scientists analyzed data about Vesuvius in the same way that a zoologist _________ a specimen.
A. describes in detail
B. studies by cutting apart
C. photographs
D. chart
18. _________ have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused a tidal wave.
A. Scientists who study oceans
B. Scientists who study atmospheric conditions
C. Scientists who study ash
D. Scientists who study animal behavior
E. Answer not available in article
19. Scientists have used _________ water to wash away volcanic ash from the skeletons of victims.
A. bottled
B. volcanic
C. purified
D. sea
E. fountain
Passage 4
The following passage refers to questions 20-24.
Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England wanted a share of the wealth that Spain
had been taking from the lands it had claimed in the Americas.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy, Sir Francis Drake, to raid Spanish ships
and towns. Though these raids were on a small scale, Drake achieved dramatic success, adding gold and silver to
England’s treasury and diminishing Spain’s supremacy.
Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries. Whereas Spain was Roman Catholic, most of
England had become Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the throne and make England a Catholic
country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to retaliate against England’s theft of his gold and silver, King Philip
began to build his fleet of warships, the Spanish Armada, in January 1586.
Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new warships, he marshaled 130 sailing vessels
of all types and recruited more than 19,000 robust soldiers and 8,000 sailors. Although some of his ships lacked guns
and others lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced that his Armada could withstand any battle with England.
The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9, 1588, but bad weather forced it back to port. The
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voyage resumed on July 22 after the weather became more stable.

The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English ships in battle off the coast of Plymouth,
England, first on July 31 and again on August 2. The two battles left Spain vulnerable, having lost several ships and
with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the Armada lay at anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover,
England sent eight burning ships into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked on one side, the Spanish

ships could only drift away, their crews in panic and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English attacked
again on August 8.
Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet suffered extensive damage. During the eight
hours of battle, the Armada drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At the moment when it seemed that the
Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the wind shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North
Sea. The Spaniards recognized the superiority of the English fleet and returned home, defeated.
20. Sir Francis Drake added wealth to the treasury and diminished Spain’s _________.
A. unlimited power
B. unrestricted growth
C. territory
D. treaties
E. Answer not available in article
21. King Philip recruited many ______ soldiers and sailors.
A. warlike
B. strong
C. accomplished
D. timid
E. inexperienced
22. The ______ Armada set sail on May 9, 1588.
A. complete
B. warlike
C. independent
D. isolated
23. The two battles left the Spanish fleet _________.
A. open to change
B. triumphant
C. open to attack
D. defeated
E. discouraged
24. The Armada was ______ on one side.
A. closed off
B. damaged
C. alone
D. circled
E. Answer not available in this article
# Exercise 3
CLOZE Paragraphs
Paragraph 1
C. S. Lewis, or Jack Lewis, as he preferred to be called, was born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) on
November 29, 1898. He was the second son of Albert Lewis, a lawyer, and Flora Hamilton Lewis. His older brother,
Warren Hamilton Lewis, who was known as Warnie, had been born three years (1) __________ in 1895.
Lewis's early childhood was relatively happy and carefree. In those days Northern Ireland was not yet (2) _________
by bitter civil strife, and the Lewises were comfortably off. The family home, called Little Lea, was a large, gabled
house with dark, narrow passages and an overgrown garden, which Warnie and Jack played in and
(3)_______ together. There was also a library that was crammed with books - two of Jack's favorites were Treasure
Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
This somewhat idyllic boyhood came to an end for Lewis when his mother became ill and died of cancer in 1908.
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Barely a month after her death the two boys were sent away from home to go to boarding school in England.
Lewis hated the school, with its strict rules and hard, (4)_________ headmaster, and he missed Belfast terribly.
Fortunately for him, the school closed in 1910, and he was able to return to Ireland.

After a year, however, he was sent back to England to study. This time, the (5)_________ proved to be mostly
positive. As a teenager, Lewis learned to love poetry, especially the works of Virgil and Homer. He also developed an
interest in modern languages, mastering French, German, and Italian.
1. A) Ago B) Earlier C) previously D) Subsequently
2. A) Plagued B) Bothered C) Pestered D) Doubled
3. A) Watched B) Instigated C) Explored D) Inspired
4. A) Unsympathetic B) Careless C) Desensitized D) Deliberative
5. A) Essence B) Understanding C) Suffering D) Experience
Paragraph 2
Founded after World War II by 51 "peace-loving states" combined to oppose future aggression, the United Nations
now counts 192 member nations, (1) _________ its newest members, Nauru, Kiribati, and Tonga in 1999, Tuvalu and
Yugoslavia in 2000, Switzerland and East Timor in 2002, and Montenegro in 2006.
United Nations Day has been (2) _________ on October 24 since 1948 and celebrates the objectives and
accomplishments of the organization, which was established on October 24, 1945.
The UN (3) ___________ in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions across the globe. Though some say its (4)
_________has declined in recent decades, the United Nations still plays a tremendous role in world politics. In 2001
the United Nations and Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the UN, won the Nobel Peace Prize "for their work for
a better organized and more peaceful world."
Since 1948 there have been 63 UN peacekeeping (5) _______16 are currently under way. Thus far, close to 130
nations have contributed personnel at various times; 119 are currently providing peacekeepers. As of August 31,
2008, there were 16 peacekeeping operations underway with a total of 88,230 personnel. The small island nation of
Fiji has taken part in virtually every UN peacekeeping operation, as has Canada.
1. A) Especially B) Including C) Possibly D) Limiting
2. A) Observed B) Watched C) Monitored D) Examined
3. A) Connects B) Appoints C) Engages D) Absorbs
4. A) Meaninglessness B) Consequences C) Descriptiveness D) Influence
5. A) Operations B) Transgressions C) Processes D) Businesses
Paragraph 3
People have been debating the principles of beauty for thousands of years, but it still seems impossible to consider it
objectively. German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1) _________ whether something can possess an objective
property that makes it beautiful. He concluded that although everyone accepts that beauty exists, no one has ever
(2) ________ on the precise criteria by which beauty may be (3) _________ . Symmetry may have some significance.
It has been proved to be attractive to the human (4) ____________ , in general, so perhaps a face may seem
beautiful because of the (5) _______ between its two sides. Studies have shown that babies spend more time
looking at symmetrical faces than asymmetrical ones and symmetry has also been (6) __________ as more
attractive by adults looking at a series of photos. So although there seems to be no universal consensus on what (7)
___________ beauty, there is at least an understanding that facial symmetry is an important (8) _____________ .
1 A argued B decided C disputed D questioned
2 A concurred B agreed C debated D written
3 A judged B appreciated C awarded D viewed
4 A appearance B sight C eye D vision
5 A equality B reflection C opposition D similarity
6 A voted B rated C selected D valued
7 A constitutes B contains C involves D comprises
8 A reason B one C role D factor
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Paragraph 4
If after years of Spanish classes, some people still find it impossible to understand some native speakers, they should
not worry. This does not (1) _______ mean the lessons were wasted. Millions of Spanish speakers use neither
standard Latin American Spanish nor Castilian, which predominate in US schools.

The confusion is partly political - the Spanish-speaking world is very diverse. Spanish is the language of 19 separate
countries and Puerto Rico. This means that there is no one standard dialect.
The most common Spanish dialect taught in the US is standard Latin American. It is sometimes called "Highland"
Spanish since it is generally spoken in the (2) ________ areas of Latin America. While each country retains its own
(3) _______ and has some unique vocabulary, residents of countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia
generally speak Latin American Spanish, especially in urban centers. This dialect is noted for its (4) _______ of each
letter and its strong "r" sounds. This Spanish was spoken in Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and
was brought to the Americas by the early colonists.
However, the Spanish of Madrid and of northern Spain, called Castilian, developed (5) ________ that never reached
the New World. These include the pronunciation of "ci" and "ce" as "th." In Madrid, "gracias" (thank you) becomes
"gratheas" (as opposed to "gras-see-as" in Latin America). Another difference is the use of the word "vosotros" (you
all, or you guys) as the informal form of "ustedes" in Spain.
Castilian sounds to Latin Americans much like British English sounds to US residents.
1. A) Necessarily B) Usually C) Only D) Particularly
2. A) Rocky B) Hidden C) Mountainous D) Coastal
3. A) Thoughts B) Accents C) Infections D) Authority
4. A) Pronunciation B) Collection C) Remembering D) Elucidation
5. A) Problems B) Characteristics C) Normalities D) Distinguishes
Paragraph 5
Called Chomolungma ("goddess mother of the world") in Tibet and Sagarmatha ("goddess of the sky") in Nepal,
Mount Everest once went by the pedestrian name of Peak XV among Westerners. That was before (1) ___________
established that it was the highest mountain on Earth, a fact that came as something of a surprise - Peak XV had
seemed lost in the crowd of other formidable Himalayan peaks, many of which gave the (2) __________ of greater
height.
In 1852 the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002 feet above sea level. This
figure remained the officially (3) __________ height for more than one hundred years. In 1955 it was adjusted by a
mere 26 feet to 29,028 (8,848 m).
The mountain received its official name in 1865 in honor of Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General from
1830-1843 who had mapped the Indian subcontinent. He had some (4) ________ about having his name bestowed
on the peak, arguing that the mountain should retain its local appellation, the standard policy of geographical
societies.
Before the Survey of India, a number of other mountains ranked supreme in the eyes of the world. In the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Andean peak Chimborazo was considered the highest. At a relatively
unremarkable 20,561 feet (6,310 m), it is in fact nowhere near the highest, (5) ___________ by about thirty other
Andean peaks and several dozen in the Himalayas. In 1809, the Himalayan peak Dhaulagiri (26,810 ft.; 8,172 m) was
declared the ultimate, only to be shunted aside in 1840 by Kanchenjunga (28,208 ft.; 8,598 m), which today ranks
third. Everest's status has been unrivalled for the last century and a half, but not without a few threats.
1. A) Purveyors B) Surveyors C) Surveillance D) Persuasion
2. A) Inclusion B) Allusion C) Anticipation D) Illusion
3. A) Accepted B) Excepted C) Incepted D) Intercepted
4. A) Applications B) Implications C) Reservations D) Rejections
5. A) Reduced B) Surpassed C) Surmised D) Transposed
Paragraph 6
Below is a text with blanks. Select the appropriate answer choice for each blank.
The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1889. It was built for the World's Fair
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to (1) __________ that iron could be as strong as stone while being infinitely lighter. And in fact the wrought-iron
tower is twice as tall as the masonry Washington Monument and yet it weighs 70,000 tons less! It is repainted every
seven years with 50 tons of dark brown paint.
Called "the father of the skyscraper," the Home Insurance Building, (2) _________ in Chicago in 1885 (and
demolished in 1931), was 138 feet tall and 10 stories. It was the first building to effectively employ a supporting (3)
________of steel beams and columns, allowing it to have many more windows than traditional masonry structures.
But this new construction method made people worry that the building would fall down, leading the city to halt
construction until they could(4) __________ the structure's safety.
In 1929, auto tycoon Walter Chrysler took part in an intense race with the Bank of Manhattan Trust Company to
build the world's tallest skyscraper. Just when it looked like the bank had captured the (5) _________title, workers
at the Chrysler Building jacked a thin spire hidden inside the building through the top of the roof to win the contest
(subsequently losing the title four months later to the Empire State Building). Chrysler also decorated his building to
mirror his cars, with hubcaps, mudguards, and hood ornaments.
1. A) Demonstrate B) Implicate C) Suggest D) Insinuate
2. A) Renovated B) Devised C) Constructed D) Invented
3. A) Ceiling B) Skeleton C) Engine D) Concrete
4. A) Exonerate B) Ameliorate C) Investigate D) Consecrate
5. A) Informal B) Meaningless C) Royal D) Coveted
8.3 Advance Level

Passage 1
(This passage was written in 1978.)
Recent years have brought minority-owned businesses in the United States unprecedented opportunities—as
well as new and significant risks. Civil rights activists have long argued that one of the principal reasons why Blacks,
Hispanics, and other minority groups have difficulty establishing themselves in business is that they lack access to the
sizable orders and subcontracts that are generated by large companies. Now Congress, in apparent agreement, has
required by law that businesses awarded federal contracts of more than $500,000 do their best to find minority
subcontractors and record their efforts to do so on forms filed with the government. Indeed, some federal and local
agencies have gone so far as to set specific percentage goals for apportioning parts of public works contracts to
minority enterprises.
Corporate response appears to have been substantial. According to figures collected in 1977, the total of
corporate contracts with minority businesses rose from $77 million in 1972 to $1.1 billion in 1977. The projected total
of corporate contracts with minority businesses for the early 1980’s is estimated to be over 53 billion per year with no
letup anticipated in the next decade. Promising as it is for minority businesses, this increased patronage poses dangers
for them, too. First, minority firms risk expanding too fast and overextending themselves financially, since most are
small concerns and, unlike large businesses, they often need to make substantial investments in new plants, staff,
equipment, and the like in order to perform work subcontracted to them. If, thereafter, their subcontracts are for some
reason reduced, such firms can face potentially crippling fixed expenses. The world of corporate purchasing can be
frustrating for small entrepreneurs who get requests for elaborate formal estimates and bids. Both consume valuable
time and resources, and a small company’s efforts must soon result in orders, or both the morale and the financial
health of the business will suffer.
A second risk is that White-owned companies may seek to cash in on the increasing apportionments through
formation of joint ventures with minority-owned concerns. Of course, in many instances there are legitimate reasons
for joint ventures; clearly, White and minority enterprises can team up to acquire business that neither could acquire
alone. But civil rights groups and minority business owners have complained to Congress about minorities being set
up as “fronts” with White backing, rather than being accepted as full partners in legitimate joint ventures.
Third, a minority enterprise that secures the business of one large corporate customer often runs the danger of
becoming—and remaining—dependent. Even in the best of circumstances, fierce competition from larger, more
established companies makes it difficult for small concerns to broaden their customer bases: when such firms have
nearly guaranteed orders from a single corporate benefactor, they may truly have to struggle against complacency
arising from their current success.
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1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) present a commonplace idea and its inaccuracies
(B) describe a situation and its potential drawbacks
(C) propose a temporary solution to a problem
(D) analyze a frequent source of disagreement
(E) explore the implications of a finding
2. The passage supplies information that would answer which of the following questions?
(A) What federal agencies have set percentage goals for the use of minority-owned businesses in public works
contracts?
(B) To which government agencies must businesses awarded federal contracts report their efforts to find minority
subcontractors?
(C) How widespread is the use of minority-owned concerns as “fronts” by White backers seeking to obtain
subcontracts?
(D) How many more minority-owned businesses were there in 1977 than in 1972?
(E) What is one set of conditions under which a small business might find itself financially overextended?
3. According to the passage, civil rights activists maintain that one disadvantage under which minority-owned
businesses have traditionally had to labor is that they have
(A) been especially vulnerable to governmental mismanagement of the economy
(B) been denied bank loans at rates comparable to those afforded larger competitors
(C) not had sufficient opportunity to secure business created by large corporations
(D) not been able to advertise in those media that reach large numbers of potential customers
(E) not had adequate representation in the centers of government power
4. The passage suggests that the failure of a large business to have its bids for subcontracts result quickly in orders
might cause it to
(A) experience frustration but not serious financial harm
(B) face potentially crippling fixed expenses
(C) have to record its efforts on forms filed with the government
(D) increase its spending with minority subcontractors
(E) revise its procedure for making bids for federal contracts and subcontracts
5. The author implies that a minority-owned concern that does the greater part of its business with one large
corporate customer should
(A) avoid competition with larger, more established concerns by not expanding
(B) concentrate on securing even more business from that corporation
(C) try to expand its customer base to avoid becoming dependent on the corporation
(D) pass on some of the work to be done for the corporation to other minority-owned concerns
(E) use its influence with the corporation to promote subcontracting with other minority concerns
6. It can be inferred from the passage that, compared with the requirements of law, the percentage goals set by
“some federal and local agencies” (lines 14-15) are
(A) more popular with large corporations
(B) more specific
(C) less controversial
(D) less expensive to enforce
(E) easier to comply with
7. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s assertion that, in the 1970’s, corporate response
to federal requirements (lines 18-19) was substantial
(A) Corporate contracts with minority-owned businesses totaled $2 billion in 1979.
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(B) Between 1970 and 1972, corporate contracts with minority-owned businesses declined by 25 percent.
(C) The figures collected in 1977 underrepresented the extent of corporate contracts with minority-owned
businesses.
(D) The estimate of corporate spending with minority-owned businesses in 1980 is approximately $10 million too
high.

(E) The $1.1 billion represented the same percentage of total corporate spending in 1977 as did $77 million in
1972.
8. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements about corporate response to working
with minority subcontractors?
(A) Annoyed by the proliferation of “front” organizations, corporations are likely to reduce their efforts to work
with minority-owned subcontractors in the near future.
(B) Although corporations showed considerable interest in working with minority businesses in the 1970’s, their
aversion to government paperwork made them reluctant to pursue many government contracts.
(C) The significant response of corporations in the 1970’s is likely to be sustained and conceivably be increased
throughout the 1980’s.
(D) Although corporations are eager to cooperate with minority-owned businesses, a shortage of capital in the
1970’s made substantial response impossible.
(E) The enormous corporate response has all but eliminated the dangers of over-expansion that used to plague
small minority-owned businesses.
Passage 2
Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the economic market when he said that the free enterprise
system is the most efficient economic system. Maximum freedom means maximum productiveness; our “openness”
is to be the measure of our stability. Fascination with this ideal has made Americans defy the “Old World” categories
of settled possessiveness versus unsettling deprivation, the cupidity of retention versus the cupidity of seizure, a
“status quo” defended or attacked. The United States, it was believed, had no status quo ante. Our only “station” was
the turning of a stationary wheel, spinning faster and faster. We did not base our system on property but opportunity—
which meant we based it not on stability but on mobility. The more things changed, that is, the more rapidly the wheel
turned, the steadier we would be. The conventional picture of class politics is composed of the Haves, who want a
stability to keep what they have, and the Have-Nots, who want a touch of instability and change in which to scramble
for the things they have not. But Americans imagined a condition in which speculators, self-makers, runners are always
using the new opportunities given by our land. These economic leaders (front-runners) would thus be mainly agents
of change. The nonstarters were considered the ones who wanted stability, a strong referee to give them some position
in the race, a regulative hand to calm manic speculation; an authority that can call things to a halt, begin things again
from compensatorily staggered “starting lines.”
“Reform” in America has been sterile because it can imagine no change except through the extension of this
metaphor of a race, wider inclusion of competitors, “a piece of the action,” as it were, for the disenfranchised. There
is no attempt to call off the race. Since our only stability is change, America seems not to honor the quiet work that
achieves social interdependence and stability. There is, in our legends, no heroism of the office clerk, no stable
industrial work force of the people who actually make the system work. There is no pride in being an employee (Wilson
asked for a return to the time when everyone was an employer). There has been no boasting about our social
workers—they are merely signs of the system’s failure, of opportunity denied or not taken, of things to be eliminated.
We have no pride in our growing interdependence, in the fact that our system can serve others, that we are able to
help those in need; empty boasts from the past make us ashamed of our present achievements, make us try to forget
or deny them, move away from them. There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win,
none winning in the end (for there is no end).
(A) criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology
(B) contrast “Old World” and “New World” economic ideologies
(C) challenge the integrity of traditional political leaders
(D) champion those Americans whom the author deems to be neglected
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(E) suggest a substitute for the traditional metaphor of a race

2. According to the passage, “Old World” values were based on
(A) ability
(B) property
(C) family connections
(D) guild hierarchies
(E) education
3. In the context of the author’s discussion of regulating change, which of the following could be most probably
regarded as a “strong referee” (line 30) in the United States?
(A) A school principal
(B) A political theorist
(C) A federal court judge
(D) A social worker
(E) A government inspector
4. The author sets off the word “Reform” (line 35) with quotation marks in order to
(A) emphasize its departure from the concept of settled possessiveness
(B) show his support for a systematic program of change
(C) underscore the flexibility and even amorphousness of United States society
(D) indicate that the term was one of Wilson’s favorites
(E) assert that reform in the United States has not been fundamental
5. It can be inferred from the passage that the author most probably thinks that giving the disenfranchised “a piece
of the action” (line 38) is
(A) a compassionate, if misdirected, legislative measure
(B) an example of Americans’ resistance to profound social change
(C) an innovative program for genuine social reform
(D) a monument to the efforts of industrial reformers
(E) a surprisingly “Old World” remedy for social ills
6. Which of the following metaphors could the author most appropriately use to summarize his own assessment of
the American economic system (lines 35-60)?
(A) A windmill
(B) A waterfall
(C) A treadmill
(D) A gyroscope
(E) A bellows
7. It can be inferred from the passage that Woodrow Wilson’s ideas about the economic market
(A) encouraged those who “make the system work” (lines 45-46)
(B) perpetuated traditional legends about America
(C) revealed the prejudices of a man born wealthy
(D) foreshadowed the stock market crash of 1929
(E) began a tradition of presidential proclamations on economics
8. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions?
I. What techniques have industrialists used to manipulate a free market?
II. In what ways are “New World” and “Old World” economic policies similar?
III. Has economic policy in the United States tended to reward independent action?
(A) I only
(B) II only
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(C) III only

(D) I and II only
(E) II and III only
9. Which of the following best expresses the author’s main point?
(A) Americans’ pride in their jobs continues to give them stamina today.
(B) The absence of a status quo ante has undermined United States economic structure.
(C) The free enterprise system has been only a useless concept in the United States.
(D) The myth of the American free enterprise system is seriously flawed.
(E) Fascination with the ideal of “openness” has made Americans a progressive people.
Passage 3
Species interdependence in nature confers many benefits on the species involved, but it can also become a point
of weakness when one species involved in the relationship is affected by a catastrophe. Thus, flowering plant species
dependent on insect pollination, as opposed to self-pollination or wind pollination, could be endangered when the
population of insect-pollinators is depleted by the use of pesticides.
In the forests of New Brunswick, for example, various pesticides have been sprayed in the past 25 years in efforts
to control the spruce budworm, an economically significant pest. Scientists have now investigated the effects of the
spraying of Matacil, one of the anti-budworm agents that is least toxic to insect-pollinators. They studied Matacil’s
effects on insect mortality in a wide variety of wild insect species and on plant fecundity, expressed as the percentage
of the total flowers on an individual plant that actually developed fruit and bore seeds. They found that the most
pronounced mortality after the spraying of Matacil occurred among the smaller bees and one family of flies, insects
that were all important pollinators of numerous species of plants growing beneath the tree canopy of forests. The
fecundity of plants in one common indigenous species, the red-osier dogwood, was significantly reduced in the sprayed
areas as compared to that of plants in control plots where Matacil was not sprayed. This species is highly dependent
on the insect-pollinators most vulnerable to Matacil. The creeping dogwood, a species similar to the red-osier
dogwood, but which is pollinated by large bees, such as bumblebees, showed no significant decline in fecundity. Since
large bees are not affected by the spraying of Matacil, these results add weight to the argument that spraying where
the pollinators are sensitive to the pesticide used decreases plant fecundity.
The question of whether the decrease in plant fecundity caused by the spraying of pesticides actually causes a
decline in the overall population of flowering plant species still remains unanswered. Plant species dependent solely
on seeds for survival or dispersal are obviously more vulnerable to any decrease in plant fecundity that occurs,
whatever its cause. If, on the other hand, vegetative growth and dispersal (by means of shoots or runners) are available
as alternative reproductive strategies for a species, then decreases in plant fecundity may be of little consequence.
The fecundity effects described here are likely to have the most profound impact on plant species with all four of the
following characteristics: a short life span, a narrow geographic range, an incapacity for vegetative propagation, and a
dependence on a small number of insect-pollinator species. Perhaps we should give special attention to the
conservation of such plant species since they lack key factors in their defenses against the environmental disruption
caused by pesticide use.
1. Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the passage?
(A) Species interdependence is a point of weakness for some plants, but is generally beneficial to insects involved
in pollination.
(B) Efforts to control the spruce budworm have had deleterious effects on the red-osier dogwood.
(C) The used of pesticides may be endangering certain plant species dependent on insects for pollination.
(D) The spraying of pesticides can reduce the fecundity of a plant species, but probably does not affect its overall
population stability.
(E) Plant species lacking key factors in their defenses against human environmental disruption will probably
become extinct.
2. According to the author, a flowering plant species whose fecundity has declined due to pesticide spraying may not
experience an overall population decline if the plant species can do which of the following?
(A) Reproduce itself by means of shoots and runners.
(B) Survive to the end of the growing season.
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(C) Survive in harsh climates.

(D) Respond to the fecundity decline by producing more flowers.
(E) Attract large insects as pollinators.
3. The passage suggests that the lack of an observed decline in the fecundity of the creeping dogwood strengthens
the researchers conclusions regarding pesticide use because the
(A) creeping dogwood is a species that does not resemble other forest plants
(B) creeping dogwood is a species pollinated by a broader range of insect species than are most dogwood species
(C) creeping dogwood grows primarily in regions that were not sprayed with pesticide, and so served as a control
for the experiment
(D) creeping dogwood is similar to the red-osier dogwood, but its insect pollinators are known to be insensitive to
the pesticide used in the study
(E) geographical range of the creeping dogwood is similar to that of the red-osier dogwood, but the latter species
relies less on seeds for reproduction
4. The passage suggests that which of the following is true of the forest regions in New Brunswick sprayed with most
anti-budworm pesticides other than Matacil?
(A) The fecundity of some flowering plants in those regions may have decreased to an even greater degree than
in the regions where Matacil is used.
(B) Insect mortality in those regions occurs mostly among the larger species of insects, such as bumblebees.
(C) The number of seeds produced by common plant species in those regions is probably comparable to the
number produced where Matacil is sprayed.
(D) Many more plant species have become extinct in those regions than in the regions where Matacil is used.
(E) The spruce budworm is under better control in those regions than in the regions where Matacil is sprayed.
5. It can be inferred that which of the following is true of plant fecundity as it is defined in the passage?
(A) A plant’s fecundity decreases as the percentage of unpollinated flowers on the plant increases.
(B) A plant’s fecundity decreases as the number of flowers produced by the plant decreases.
(C) A plant’s fecundity increases as the number of flowers produced by the plant increases.
(D) A plant’s fecundity is usually low if the plant relies on a small number of insect species for pollination.
(E) A plant’s fecundity is high if the plant can reproduce quickly by means of vegetative growth as well as by the
production of seeds.
6. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following plant species would be LEAST likely to experience
a decrease in fecundity as a result of the spraying of a pesticide not directly toxic to plants?
(A) A flowering tree pollinated by only a few insect species
(B) A kind of insect-pollinated vine producing few flowers
(C) A wind-pollinated flowering tree that is short-lived
(D) A flowering shrub pollinated by a large number of insect species
(E) A type of wildflower typically pollinated by larger insects
7. Which of the following assumptions most probably underlies the author’s tentative recommendation in lines 51-
54?
(A) Human activities that result in environmental disruption should be abandoned.
(B) The use of pesticides is likely to continue into the future.
(C) It is economically beneficial to preserve endangered plant species.
(D) Preventing the endangerment of a species is less costly than trying to save an already endangered one.
(E) Conservation efforts aimed at preserving a few well-chosen species are more cost-effective than are broader-
based efforts to improve the environment.
Passage 4
The fossil remains of the first flying vertebrates, the pterosaurs, have intrigued paleontologists for more than two
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centuries. How such large creatures, which weighed in some cases as much as a piloted hang-glider and had wingspans
from 8 to 12 meters, solved the problems of powered flight, and exactly what these creatures were—reptiles or birds—
are among the questions scientists have puzzled over.
Perhaps the least controversial assertion about the pterosaurs is that they were reptiles. Their skulls, pelvises,
and hind feet are reptilian. The anatomy of their wings suggests that they did not evolve into the class of birds. In
pterosaurs a greatly elongated fourth finger of each forelimb supported a wing-like membrane. The other fingers were
short and reptilian, with sharp claws. In birds the second finger is the principal strut of the wing, which consists
primarily of feathers. If the pterosaurs walked on all fours, the three short fingers may have been employed for
grasping. When a pterosaur walked or remained stationary, the fourth finger, and with it the wing, could only turn
upward in an extended inverted V-shape along each side of the animal’s body.
The pterosaurs resembled both birds and bats in their overall structure and proportions. This is not surprising
because the design of any flying vertebrate is subject to aerodynamic constraints. Both the pterosaurs and the birds
have hollow bones, a feature that represents a savings in weight. In the birds, however, these bones are reinforced
more massively by internal struts.
Although scales typically cover reptiles, the pterosaurs probably had hairy coats. T. H. Huxley reasoned that flying
vertebrates must have been warm-blooded because flying implies a high rate of metabolism, which in turn implies a
high internal temperature. Huxley speculated that a coat of hair would insulate against loss of body heat and might
streamline the body to reduce drag in flight. The recent discovery of a pterosaur specimen covered in long, dense, and
relatively thick hairlike fossil material was the first clear evidence that his reasoning was correct.
Efforts to explain how the pterosaurs became airborne have led to suggestions that they launched themselves by
jumping from cliffs, by dropping from trees, or even by rising into light winds from the crests of waves. Each hypothesis
has its difficulties. The first wrongly assumes that the pterosaurs’ hind feet resembled a bat’s and could serve as hooks
by which the animal could hang in preparation for flight. The second hypothesis seems unlikely because large
pterosaurs could not have landed in trees without damaging their wings. The third calls for high waves to channel
updrafts. The wind that made such waves however, might have been too strong for the pterosaurs to control their
flight once airborne.
1. It can be inferred from the passage that scientists now generally agree that the
(A) enormous wingspan of the pterosaurs enabled them to fly great distances
(B) structure of the skeleton of the pterosaurs suggests a close evolutionary relationship to bats
(C) fossil remains of the pterosaurs reveal how they solved the problem of powered flight
(D) pterosaurs were reptiles
(E) pterosaurs walked on all fours
2. The author views the idea that the pterosaurs became airborne by rising into light winds created by waves as
(A) revolutionary
(B) unlikely
(C) unassailable
(D) probable
(E) outdated
3. According to the passage, the skeleton of a pterosaur can be distinguished from that of a bird by the
(A) size of its wingspan
(B) presence of hollow spaces in its bones
(C) anatomic origin of its wing strut
(D) presence of hooklike projections on its hind feet
(E) location of the shoulder joint joining the wing to its body
4. The ideas attributed to T. H. Huxley in the passage suggest that he would most likely agree with which of the
following statements?
(A) An animal’s brain size has little bearing on its ability to master complex behaviors.
(B) An animal’s appearance is often influenced by environmental requirements and physical capabilities.
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(C) Animals within a given family group are unlikely to change their appearance dramatically over a period of time.
(D) The origin of flight in vertebrates was an accidental development rather than the outcome of specialization or
adaptation.
(E) The pterosaurs should be classified as birds, not reptiles.
5. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following is characteristic of the pterosaurs?
(A) They were unable to fold their wings when not in use.
(B) They hung upside down from branches as bats do before flight.
(C) They flew in order to capture prey.
(D) They were an early stage in the evolution of the birds.
(E) They lived primarily in a forest-like habitat.
6. Which of the following best describes the organization of the last paragraph of the passage?
(A) New evidence is introduced to support a traditional point of view.
(B) Three explanations for a phenomenon are presented, and each is disputed by means of specific information.
(C) Three hypotheses are outlined, and evidence supporting each is given.
(D) Recent discoveries are described, and their implications for future study are projected.
(E) A summary of the material in the preceding paragraphs is presented, and conclusions are drawn.
7. It can be inferred from the passage that some scientists believe that pterosaurs
(A) lived near large bodies of water
(B) had sharp teeth for tearing food
(C) were attacked and eaten by larger reptiles
(D) had longer tails than many birds
(E) consumed twice their weight daily to maintain their body temperature
Passage 5
How many really suffer as a result of labor market problems? This is one of the most critical yet contentious social
policy questions. In many ways, our social statistics exaggerate the degree of hardship. Unemployment does not have
the same dire consequences today as it did in the 1930’s when most of the unemployed were primary breadwinners,
when income and earnings were usually much closer to the margin of subsistence, and when there were no
countervailing social programs for those failing in the labor market. Increasing affluence, the rise of families with more
than one wage earner, the growing predominance of secondary earners among the unemployed, and improved social
welfare protection have unquestionably mitigated the consequences of joblessness. Earnings and income data also
overstate the dimensions of hardship. Among the millions with hourly earnings at or below the minimum wage level,
the overwhelming majority are from multiple-earner, relatively affluent families. Most of those counted by the poverty
statistics are elderly or handicapped or have family responsibilities which keep them out of the labor force, so the
poverty statistics are by no means an accurate indicator of labor market pathologies.
Yet there are also many ways our social statistics underestimate the degree of labor-market-related hardship. The
unemployment counts exclude the millions of fully employed workers whose wages are so low that their families
remain in poverty. Low wages and repeated or prolonged unemployment frequently interact to undermine the
capacity for self-support. Since the number experiencing joblessness at some time during the year is several times the
number unemployed in any month, those who suffer as a result of forced idleness can equal or exceed average annual
unemployment, even though only a minority of the jobless in any month really suffer. For every person counted in the
monthly unemployment tallies, there is another working part-time because of the inability to find full-time work, or
else outside the labor force but wanting a job. Finally, income transfers in our country have always focused on the
elderly, disabled, and dependent, neglecting the needs of the working poor, so that the dramatic expansion of cash
and in-kind transfers does not necessarily mean that those failing in the labor market are adequately protected.
As a result of such contradictory evidence, it is uncertain whether those suffering seriously as a result of labor
market problems number in the hundreds of thousands or the tens of millions, and, hence, whether high levels of
joblessness can be tolerated or must be countered by job creation and economic stimulus. There is only one area of
agreement in this debate—that the existing poverty, employment, and earnings statistics are inadequate for one their
primary applications, measuring the consequences of labor market problems.
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1. Which of the following is the principal topic of the passage?

(A) What causes labor market pathologies that result in suffering
(B) Why income measures are imprecise in measuring degrees of poverty
(C) Which of the currently used statistical procedures are the best for estimating the incidence of hardship that is
due to unemployment
(D) Where the areas of agreement are among poverty, employment, and earnings figures
(E) How social statistics give an unclear picture of the degree of hardship caused by low wages and insufficient
employment opportunities
2. The author uses “labor market problems” in lines 1-2 to refer to which of the following?
(A) The overall causes of poverty
(B) Deficiencies in the training of the work force
(C) Trade relationships among producers of goods
(D) Shortages of jobs providing adequate income
(E) Strikes and inadequate supplies of labor
3. The author contrasts the 1930’s with the present in order to show that
(A) more people were unemployed in the 1930’s
(B) unemployment now has less severe effects
(C) social programs are more needed now
(D) there now is a greater proportion of elderly and handicapped people among those in poverty
(E) poverty has increased since the 1930’s
4. Which of the following proposals best responds to the issues raised by the author?
(A) Innovative programs using multiple approaches should be set up to reduce the level of unemployment.
(B) A compromise should be found between the positions of those who view joblessness as an evil greater than
economic control and those who hold the opposite view.
(C) New statistical indices should be developed to measure the degree to which unemployment and inadequately
paid employment cause suffering.
(D) Consideration should be given to the ways in which statistics can act as partial causes of the phenomena that
they purport to measure.
(E) The labor force should be restructured so that it corresponds to the range of job vacancies.
5. The author’s purpose in citing those who are repeatedly unemployed during a twelve-month period is most
probably to show that
(A) there are several factors that cause the payment of low wages to some members of the labor force
(B) unemployment statistics can underestimate the hardship resulting from joblessness
(C) recurrent inadequacies in the labor market can exist and can cause hardships for individual workers
(D) a majority of those who are jobless at any one time to not suffer severe hardship
(E) there are fewer individuals who are without jobs at some time during a year than would be expected on the
basis of monthly unemployment figures
6. The author states that the mitigating effect of social programs involving income transfers on the income level of
low-income people is often not felt by
(A) the employed poor
(B) dependent children in single-earner families
(C) workers who become disabled
(D) retired workers
(E) full-time workers who become unemployed
7. According to the passage, one factor that causes unemployment and earnings figures to overpredict the amount
of economic hardship is the
194
(A) recurrence of periods of unemployment for a group of low-wage workers

(B) possibility that earnings may be received from more than one job per worker
(C) fact that unemployment counts do not include those who work for low wages and remain poor
(D) establishment of a system of record-keeping that makes it possible to compile poverty statistics
(E) prevalence, among low-wage workers and the unemployed, of members of families in which others are

employed
8. The conclusion stated in lines 33-39 about the number of people who suffer as a result of forced idleness depends
primarily on the point that
(A) in times of high unemployment, there are some people who do not remain unemployed for long
(B) the capacity for self-support depends on receiving moderate-to-high wages
(C) those in forced idleness include, besides the unemployed, both underemployed part-time workers and those
not actively seeking work
(D) at different times during the year, different people are unemployed
(E) many of those who are affected by unemployment are dependents of unemployed workers
9. Which of the following, if true, is the best criticism of the author’s argument concerning why poverty statistics
cannot properly be used to show the effects of problems in the labor market?
(A) A short-term increase in the number of those in poverty can indicate a shortage of jobs because the basic
number of those unable to accept employment remains approximately constant.
(B) For those who are in poverty as a result of joblessness, there are social programs available that provide a
minimum standard of living.
(C) Poverty statistics do not consistently agree with earnings statistics, when each is taken as a measure of
hardship resulting from unemployment.
(D) The elderly and handicapped categories include many who previously were employed in the labor market.
(E) Since the labor market is global in nature, poor workers in one country are competing with poor workers in
another with respect to the level of wages and the existence of jobs.
Passage 6
In the eighteenth century, Japan’s feudal overlords, from the shogun to the humblest samurai, found themselves
under financial stress. In part, this stress can be attributed to the overlords’ failure to adjust to a rapidly expanding
economy, but the stress was also due to factors beyond the overlords’ control. Concentration of the samurai in castle-
towns had acted as a stimulus to trade. Commercial efficiency, in turn, had put temptations in the way of buyers. Since
most samurai had been reduced to idleness by years of peace, encouraged to engage in scholarship and martial
exercises or to perform administrative tasks that took little time, it is not surprising that their tastes and habits grew
expensive. Overlords’ income, despite the increase in rice production among their tenant farmers, failed to keep pace
with their expenses. Although shortfalls in overlords’ income resulted almost as much from laxity among their tax
collectors (the nearly inevitable outcome of hereditary office-holding) as from their higher standards of living, a
misfortune like a fire or flood, bringing an increase in expenses or a drop in revenue, could put a domain in debt to the
city rice-brokers who handled its finances. Once in debt, neither the individual samurai nor the shogun himself found
it easy to recover.
It was difficult for individual samurai overlords to increase their income because the amount of rice that farmers
could be made to pay in taxes was not unlimited, and since the income of Japan’s central government consisted in part
of taxes collected by the shogun from his huge domain, the government too was constrained. Therefore, the Tokugawa
shoguns began to look to other sources for revenue. Cash profits from government-owned mines were already on the
decline because the most easily worked deposits of silver and gold had been exhausted, although debasement of the
coinage had compensated for the loss. Opening up new farmland was a possibility, but most of what was suitable had
already been exploited and further reclamation was technically unfeasible. Direct taxation of the samurai themselves
would be politically dangerous. This left the shoguns only commerce as a potential source of government income.
Most of the country’s wealth, or so it seemed, was finding its way into the hands of city merchants. It appeared
reasonable that they should contribute part of that revenue to ease the shogun’s burden of financing the state. A
means of obtaining such revenue was soon found by levying forced loans, known as goyo-kin; although these were
not taxes in the strict sense, since they were irregular in timing and arbitrary in amount, they were high in yield.
195
Unfortunately, they pushed up prices. Thus, regrettably, the Tokugawa shoguns’ search for solvency for the
government made it increasingly difficult for individual Japanese who lived on fixed stipends to make ends meet.
1. The passage is most probably an excerpt from
(A) an economic history of Japan
(B) the memoirs of a samurai warrior
(C) a modern novel about eighteenth-century Japan
(D) an essay contrasting Japanese feudalism with its Western counterpart
(E) an introduction to a collection of Japanese folktales
2. Which of the following financial situations is most analogous to the financial situation in which Japan’s Tokugawa
shoguns found themselves in the eighteenth century?
(A) A small business borrows heavily to invest in new equipment, but is able to pay off its debt early when it is
awarded a lucrative government contract.
(B) Fire destroys a small business, but insurance covers the cost of rebuilding.
(C) A small business is turned down for a loan at a local bank because the owners have no credit history.
(D) A small business has to struggle to meet operating expenses when its profits decrease.
(E) A small business is able to cut back sharply on spending through greater commercial efficiency and thereby
compensate for a loss of revenue.
3. Which of the following best describes the attitude of the author toward the samurai discussed in lines 11-16?
(A) Warmly approving
(B) Mildly sympathetic
(C) Bitterly disappointed
(D) Harshly disdainful
(E) Profoundly shocked
4. According to the passage, the major reason for the financial problems experienced by Japan’s feudal overlords in
the eighteenth century was that
(A) spending had outdistanced income
(B) trade had fallen off
(C) profits from mining had declined
(D) the coinage had been sharply debased
(E) the samurai had concentrated in castle-towns
5. The passage implies that individual samurai did not find it easy to recover from debt for which of the following
reasons?
(A) Agricultural production had increased.
(B) Taxes were irregular in timing and arbitrary in amount.
(C) The Japanese government had failed to adjust to the needs of a changing economy.
(D) The domains of samurai overlords were becoming smaller and poorer as government revenues increased.
(E) There was a limit to the amount in taxes that farmers could be made to pay.
6. The passage suggests that, in eighteenth-century Japan, the office of tax collector
(A) was a source of personal profit to the officeholder
(B) was regarded with derision by many Japanese
(C) remained within families
(D) existed only in castle-towns
(E) took up most of the officeholder’s time
7. Which of the following could best be substituted for the word “This” in line 47 without changing the meaning of
the passage?
(A) The search of Japan’s Tokugawa shoguns for solvency
196
(B) The importance of commerce in feudal Japan

(C) The unfairness of the tax structure in eighteenth century Japan
(D) The difficulty of increasing government income by other means
(E) The difficulty experienced by both individual samurai and the shogun himself in extricating themselves from
debt
8. The passage implies that which of the following was the primary reason why the Tokugawa shoguns turned to city
merchants for help in financing the state?
(A) A series of costly wars had depleted the national treasury.
(B) Most of the country’s wealth appeared to be in city merchants’ hands.
(C) Japan had suffered a series of economic reversals due to natural disasters such as floods.
(D) The merchants were already heavily indebted to the shoguns.
(E) Further reclamation of land would not have been economically advantageous.
9. According to the passage, the actions of the Tokugawa shoguns in their search for solvency for the government
were regrettable because those actions
(A) raised the cost of living by pushing up prices
(B) resulted in the exhaustion of the most easily worked deposits of silver and gold
(C) were far lower in yield than had originally been anticipated
(D) did not succeed in reducing government spending
(E) acted as a deterrent to trade
Passage 7
Between the eighth and eleventh centuries A. D., the Byzantine Empire staged an almost unparalleled economic
and cultural revival, a recovery that is all the more striking because it followed a long period of severe internal decline.
By the early eighth century, the empire had lost roughly two-thirds of the territory it had possessed in the year 600,
and its remaining area was being raided by Arabs and Bulgarians, who at times threatened to take Constantinople and
extinguish the empire altogether. The wealth of the state and its subjects was greatly diminished, and artistic and
literary production had virtually ceased. By the early eleventh century, however, the empire had regained almost half
of its lost possessions, its new frontiers were secure, and its influence extended far beyond its borders. The economy
had recovered, the treasury was full, and art and scholarship had advanced.
To consider the Byzantine military, cultural, and economic advances as differentiated aspects of a single
phenomenon is reasonable. After all, these three forms of progress have gone together in a number of states and
civilizations. Rome under Augustus and fifth-century Athens provide the most obvious examples in antiquity.
Moreover, an examination of the apparent sequential connections among military, economic, and cultural forms of
progress might help explain the dynamics of historical change.
The common explanation of these apparent connections in the case of Byzantium would run like this: when the
empire had turned back enemy raids on its own territory and had begun to raid and conquer enemy territory, Byzantine
resources naturally expanded and more money became available to patronize art and literature. Therefore, Byzantine
military achievements led to economic advances, which in turn led to cultural revival.
No doubt this hypothetical pattern did apply at times during the course of the recovery. Yet it is not clear that
military advances invariably came first, economic advances second, and intellectual advances third. In the 860’s the
Byzantine Empire began to recover from Arab incursions so that by 872 the military balance with the Abbasid Caliphate
had been permanently altered in the empire’s favor. The beginning of the empire’s economic revival, however, can be
placed between 810 and 830. Finally, the Byzantine revival of learning appears to have begun even earlier. A number
of notable scholars and writers appeared by 788 and, by the last decade of the eighth century, a cultural revival was in
full bloom, a revival that lasted until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Thus the commonly expected order of military
revival followed by economic and then by cultural recovery was reversed in Byzantium. In fact, the revival of Byzantine
learning may itself have influenced the subsequent economic and military expansion.
1. Which of the following best states the central idea of the passage?
(A) The Byzantine Empire was a unique case in which the usual order of military and economic revival preceding
cultural revival was reversed.
(B) The economic, cultural, and military revival in the Byzantine Empire between the eighth and eleventh centuries
197
was similar in its order to the sequence of revivals in Augustan Rome and fifth century Athens.
(C) After 810 Byzantine economic recovery spurred a military and, later, cultural expansion that lasted until 1453.
(D) The eighth-century revival of Byzantine learning is an inexplicable phenomenon, and its economic and military
precursors have yet to be discovered.
(E) The revival of the Byzantine Empire between the eighth and eleventh centuries shows cultural rebirth
preceding economic and military revival, the reverse of the commonly accepted order of progress.
2. The primary purpose of the second paragraph is which of the following?
(A) To establish the uniqueness of the Byzantine revival
(B) To show that Augustan Rome and fifth-century Athens are examples of cultural, economic, and military
expansion against which all subsequent cases must be measured
(C) To suggest that cultural, economic, and military advances have tended to be closely interrelated in different
societies
(D) To argue that, while the revivals of Augustan Rome and fifth-century Athens were similar, they are unrelated
to other historical examples
(E) To indicate that, wherever possible, historians should seek to make comparisons with the earliest chronological
examples of revival
3. It can be inferred from the passage that by the eleventh century the Byzantine military forces
(A) had reached their peak and begun to decline
(B) had eliminated the Bulgarian army
(C) were comparable in size to the army of Rome under Augustus
(D) were strong enough to withstand the Abbasid Caliphate’s military forces
(E) had achieved control of Byzantine governmental structures
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the Byzantine Empire sustained significant territorial losses
(A) in 600
(B) during the seventh century
(C) a century after the cultural achievements of the Byzantine Empire had been lost
(D) soon after the revival of Byzantine learning
(E) in the century after 873
5. In the third paragraph, the author most probably provides an explanation of the apparent connections among
economic, military, and cultural development in order to
(A) suggest that the process of revival in Byzantium accords with this model
(B) set up an order of events that is then shown to be not generally applicable to the case of Byzantium
(C) cast aspersions on traditional historical scholarship about Byzantium
(D) suggest that Byzantium represents a case for which no historical precedent exists
(E) argue that military conquest is the paramount element in the growth of empires
6. Which of the following does the author mention as crucial evidence concerning the manner in which the Byzantine
revival began?
(A) The Byzantine military revival of the 860’s led to economic and cultural advances.
(B) The Byzantine cultural revival lasted until 1453.
(C) The Byzantine economic recovery began in the 900’s.
(D) The revival of Byzantine learning began toward the end of the eighth century.
(E) By the early eleventh century the Byzantine Empire had regained much of its lost territory.
7. According to the author, “The common explanation” (line 28) of connections between economic, military, and
cultural development is
(A) revolutionary and too new to have been applied to the history of the Byzantine Empire
(B) reasonable, but an antiquated theory of the nature of progress
198
(C) not applicable to the Byzantine revival as a whole, but does perhaps accurately describe limited periods during
the revival
(D) equally applicable to the Byzantine case as a whole and to the history of military, economic, and cultural
advances in ancient Greece and Rome
(E) essentially not helpful, because military, economic, and cultural advances are part of a single phenomenon

Passage 8
Virtually everything astronomers known about objects outside the solar system is based on the detection of
photons—quanta of electromagnetic radiation. Yet there is another form of radiation that permeates the universe:
neutrinos. With (as its name implies) no electric charge, and negligible mass, the neutrino interacts with other particles
so rarely that a neutrino can cross the entire universe, even traversing substantial aggregations of matter, without
being absorbed or even deflected. Neutrinos can thus escape from regions of space where light and other kinds of
electromagnetic radiation are blocked by matter. Furthermore, neutrinos carry with them information about the site
and circumstances of their production: therefore, the detection of cosmic neutrinos could provide new information
about a wide variety of cosmic phenomena and about the history of the universe.
But how can scientists detect a particle that interacts so infrequently with other matter? Twenty-five years passed
between Pauli’s hypothesis that the neutrino existed and its actual detection: since then virtually all research with
neutrinos has been with neutrinos created artificially in large particle accelerators and studied under neutrino
microscopes. But a neutrino telescope, capable of detecting cosmic neutrinos, is difficult to construct. No apparatus
can detect neutrinos unless it is extremely massive, because great mass is synonymous with huge numbers of nucleons
(neutrons and protons), and the more massive the detector, the greater the probability of one of its nucleon’s reacting
with a neutrino. In addition, the apparatus must be sufficiently shielded from the interfering effects of other particles.
Fortunately, a group of astrophysicists has proposed a means of detecting cosmic neutrinos by harnessing the
mass of the ocean. Named DUMAND, for Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector, the project calls for placing
an array of light sensors at a depth of five kilometers under the ocean surface. The detecting medium is the seawater
itself: when a neutrino interacts with a particle in an atom of seawater, the result is a cascade of electrically charged
particles and a flash of light that can be detected by the sensors. The five kilometers of seawater above the sensors
will shield them from the interfering effects of other high-energy particles raining down through the atmosphere.
The strongest motivation for the DUMAND project is that it will exploit an important source of information about
the universe. The extension of astronomy from visible light to radio waves to x-rays and gamma rays never failed to
lead to the discovery of unusual objects such as radio galaxies, quasars, and pulsars. Each of these discoveries came
as a surprise. Neutrino astronomy will doubtless bring its own share of surprises.
1. Which of the following titles best summarizes the passage as a whole?
(A) At the Threshold of Neutrino Astronomy
(B) Neutrinos and the History of the Universe
(C) The Creation and Study of Neutrinos
(D) The DUMAND System and How It Works
(E) The Properties of the Neutrino
2. With which of the following statements regarding neutrino astronomy would the author be most likely to agree?
(A) Neutrino astronomy will supersede all present forms of astronomy.
(B) Neutrino astronomy will be abandoned if the DUMAND project fails.
(C) Neutrino astronomy can be expected to lead to major breakthroughs in astronomy.
(D) Neutrino astronomy will disclose phenomena that will be more surprising than past discoveries.
(E) Neutrino astronomy will always be characterized by a large time lag between hypothesis and experimental
confirmation.
3. In the last paragraph, the author describes the development of astronomy in order to
(A) suggest that the potential findings of neutrino astronomy can be seen as part of a series of astronomical
successes
(B) illustrate the role of surprise in scientific discovery
(C) demonstrate the effectiveness of the DUMAND apparatus in detecting neutrinos
199
(D) name some cosmic phenomena that neutrino astronomy will illuminate
(E) contrast the motivation of earlier astronomers with that of the astrophysicists working on the DUMAND project
4. According to the passage, one advantage that neutrinos have for studies in astronomy is that they
(A) have been detected for the last twenty-five years
(B) possess a variable electric charge
(C) are usually extremely massive
(D) carry information about their history with them
(E) are very similar to other electromagnetic particles
5. According to the passage, the primary use of the apparatus mentioned in lines 24-32 would be to
(A) increase the mass of a neutrino
(B) interpret the information neutrinos carry with them
(C) study the internal structure of a neutrino
(D) see neutrinos in distant regions of space
(E) detect the presence of cosmic neutrinos
6. The passage states that interactions between neutrinos and other matter are
(A) rare
(B) artificial
(C) undetectable
(D) unpredictable
(E) hazardous
7. The passage mentions which of the following as a reason that neutrinos are hard to detect?
(A) Their pervasiveness in the universe
(B) Their ability to escape from different regions of space
(C) Their inability to penetrate dense matter
(D) The similarity of their structure to that of nucleons
(E) The infrequency of their interaction with other matter
8. According to the passage, the interaction of a neutrino with other matter can produce
(A) particles that are neutral and massive
(B) a form of radiation that permeates the universe
(C) inaccurate information about the site and circumstances of the neutrino’s production
(D) charged particles and light
(E) a situation in which light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are blocked
9. According to the passage, one of the methods used to establish the properties of neutrinos was
(A) detection of photons
(B) observation of the interaction of neutrinos with gamma rays
(C) observation of neutrinos that were artificially created
(D) measurement of neutrinos that interacted with particles of seawater
(E) experiments with electromagnetic radiation
Passage 9
Most economists in the United States seem captivated by the spell of the free market. Consequently, nothing
seems good or normal that does not accord with the requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by
the seller or, for that matter, established by anyone other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious.
Accordingly, it requires a major act of will to think of price-fixing (the determination of prices by the seller) as both
“normal” and having a valuable economic function. In fact, price-fixing is normal in all industrialized societies because
the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixing that it
requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large
200
firms will be competing for the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own
needs and thus avoid selling its products for more than its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates
of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with full consideration of the needs that it has in
common with the other large firms competing for the same customers. Each large firm will thus avoid significant price-
cutting, because price-cutting would be prejudicial to the common interest in a stable demand for products. Most
economists do not see price-fixing when it occurs because they expect it to be brought about by a number of explicit
agreements among large firms; it is not.
Moreover, those economists who argue that allowing the free market to operate without interference is the most
efficient method of establishing prices have not considered the economies of non-socialist countries other than the
United states. These economies employ intentional price-fixing, usually in an overt fashion. Formal price-fixing by
cartel and informal price-fixing by agreements covering the members of an industry are commonplace. Were there
something peculiarly efficient about the free market and inefficient about price-fixing, the countries that have avoided
the first and used the second would have suffered drastically in their economic development. There is no indication
that they have.
Socialist industry also works within a framework of controlled prices. In the early 1970’s, the Soviet Union began
to give firms and industries some of the flexibility in adjusting prices that a more informal evolution has accorded the
capitalist system. Economists in the United States have hailed the change as a return to the free market. But Soviet
firms are no more subject to prices established by a free market over which they exercise little influence than are
capitalist firms; rather, Soviet firms have been given the power to fix prices.
(A) refute the theory that the free market plays a useful role in the development of industrialized societies
(B) suggest methods by which economists and members of the government of the United States can recognize
and combat price-fixing by large firms
(C) show that in industrialized societies price-fixing and the operation of the free market are not only compatible
but also mutually beneficial
(D) explain the various ways in which industrialized societies can fix prices in order to stabilize the free market
(E) argue that price-fixing, in one form or another, is an inevitable part of and benefit to the economy of any
industrialized society
2. The passage provides information that would answer which of the following questions about price-fixing?
I. What are some of the ways in which prices can be fixed?
II. For what products is price-fixing likely to be more profitable that the operation of the free market?
III. Is price-fixing more common in socialist industrialized societies or in non-socialist industrialized societies?
(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
3. The author’s attitude toward “Most economists in the United States”(line 1) can best be described as
(A) spiteful and envious
(B) scornful and denunciatory
(C) critical and condescending
(D) ambivalent but deferential
(E) uncertain but interested
4. It can be inferred from the author’s argument that a price fixed by the seller “seems pernicious” (line 7) because
(A) people do not have confidence in large firms
(B) people do not expect the government to regulate prices
(C) most economists believe that consumers as a group should determine prices
(D) most economists associate fixed prices with communist and socialist economies
(E) most economists believe that no one group should determine prices
201
5. The suggestion in the passage that price-fixing in industrialized societies is normal arises from the author’s
statement that price-fixing is
(A) a profitable result of economic development
(B) an inevitable result of the industrial system
(C) the result of a number of carefully organized decisions
(D) a phenomenon common to industrialized and non-industrialized societies
(E) a phenomenon best achieved cooperatively by government and industry
6. According to the author, price-fixing in non-socialist countries is often
(A) accidental but productive
(B) illegal but useful
(C) legal and innovative
(D) traditional and rigid
(E) intentional and widespread
7. According to the author, what is the result of the Soviet Union’s change in economic policy in the 1970’s?
(A) Soviet firms show greater profit.
(B) Soviet firms have less control over the free market.
(C) Soviet firms are able to adjust to technological advances.
(D) Soviet firms have some authority to fix prices.
(E) Soviet firms are more responsive to the free market.
8. With which of the following statements regarding the behavior of large firms in industrialized societies would the
author be most likely to agree?
(A) The directors of large firms will continue to anticipate the demand for products.
(B) The directors of large firms are less interested in achieving a predictable level of profit than in achieving a large
profit.
(C) The directors of large firms will strive to reduce the costs of their products.
(D) Many directors of large firms believe that the government should establish the prices that will be charged for
products.
(E) Many directors of large firms believe that the price charged for products is likely to increase annually.
9. In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with
(A) predicting the consequences of a practice
(B) criticizing a point of view
(C) calling attention to recent discoveries
(D) proposing a topic for research
(E) summarizing conflicting opinions
202

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Verbal Ability-I PEV106

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

A verb agrees with its subject in number.

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

The orchestra is playing a hit song. (Orchestra is considered as one unit—singular.)

Some nouns, while plural in form, are actually singular in meaning.

Don’t and doesn’t must agree with the subject.

Subject Example Form Usage

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Measles, Mathematics, News, Economics is an interesting

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

1. Where are your friends?

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Hint: Stock, to bull

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

My family (16) ____(to be) a combination of all three types.

1.2 Exercise Two

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

5. Several of the sheep (is-are) sick.

1.3 Exercise Three

1.4 Exercise Four

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

3) “A theory of physics ____________ that a body in motion stays in motion”

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Improve the sentence by replacing the Underlined part

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

C. has decreased from 200 million

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

1.8 Choose the correct verb from the following sentences:

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Interesting vocabulary facts

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

Why learn vocabulary?

How to improve vocabulary

Tips to guess word meanings?

2. Identifying parts of speech

as. Ex: I am here to project the annual budget of our project.

Techniques to remember vocabulary

ROOT WORD, SUFFIXES AND PREFIXES

COMMON WORD ROOTS

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

peri- Around peripheral, periscope

post- After postgraduate, postpone

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

1. Antecedent means: e. uncertainty, doubt.

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

14. To reconcile means:

21. Perennial means: 28. Lamentable means:

d. the process of encoding a message. d. to do something regrettable.

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

Centre for Professional Enhancement Department of Verbal Ability

8. Something that is innocuous is: 16. An edict is:

13. An acrimonious relationship is one that: Greek

d. a state of timelessness, suspension.

4. Something that is peripheral is:

6. In a state of anarchy, there is:

7. Something that is amorphous: