Tips to solve 6 Vocabulary questions in CAT 2013 Verbal Section

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
October 9, 2013
In this third article of the series 7 Days to CAT 2013, Prof S K Agarwal, author and expert in Verbal Area, will provide you strategy and tips to solve the six vocabulary questions in Verbal Ability of CAT 2013
Vocabulary questions in Verbal Ability have shifted their focus from building up the stock of words to contextual usage. Parrot fashion learning may not be of much help now

Learn the four quick tips to solve the six vocabulary questions in this third expert article, by Prof SK Agarwal, in Verbal series. Other two published articles equipped the CAT aspirants with tips and tricks to solve problems based on Logical reasoning  and Error correction in sentences and paragraphs

Vocabulary questions in Verbal Ability have shifted their focus from building up the stock of words to contextual usage. Parrot fashion learning may not be of much help now. The important tip to save time and energy in such a level of preparation module is to utilise your precious time on exercises and practicing to solve the different types of Vocabulary questions, and avoid fresh addition of vocabulary without context.

Four Types of Usage
The six vocabulary questions in CAT are broadly based on four types of usage. The errors that exist are on the usage of similar sounding and confused words; a word used in different ways; picking out correct pair of words to fill in the blanks; and phrasal verbs. Getting all of them correct may substantially improve your percentile.  It is recommended to practice more exercises, quizzes and mocks and get the same analysed to avoid recurrence of mistakes.

Marking incorrect use of a key word in sentences- This question tests your understanding of common words in different contexts. It is based on a familiar word from the everyday vocabulary, for example, fall, turn, take, stand, hand, bear, break, flair, hold, etc. This word is followed by four sentences and the aspirant has to pick out the sentence in which the word has incorrectly been used. There can be more than one sentence with incorrect use of the key word. You may find two-three such questions in CAT 2013.

Question Examples with answers

Direction- Below is the word which has been used in four different ways. You have to choose the option that describes the incorrect/inappropriate use of the key word.

Q.1 Key word – File

A.    You will find the paper in the file under C.

B.    I need to file an insurance claim

C.    The cadets were marching in a single file.

D.    File your nails before you apply nail polish

E.    When the parade was on, a soldier broke the file.

 1.A  2.B   3.C    4.D   5.EQ. 2 - Key word - Flair

A.    He has beetling gray eyebrows and a flair for the dramatic

B.    The air smelled caustic flair and snowed flurrying motes of ash.

C.    He designs using traditional techniques with a modern flair.

D.    He preached austerity, yet practiced prodigality, doling out favors and privileges with flair and precision.

Q.1 Ans.-5.E Soldiers do not break the file . For them, the correct use is "break the rank".  Rank also means a line of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment standing in order.

Q.2 Ans.- 2  B. The air smelled caustic flair and snowed flurrying motes of ash.
 
Marking the correct choice of similar sounding/confusing word, used in same sentence- It is the test of vocabulary usage in specific context. There are four-five sentences in one question and every sentence has two words labelled ‘A’ and ’B’.  The aspirant has to pick out the more appropriate of the two words, used in a sentence.   Despite being similar sounding or near synonyms, these words have specific contextual usage. CAT 2013 may place two questions of this type in alternate sessions.

Question examples and answers

Direction –In the following question, more than one word has been used in each sentence. You have to pick out the most appropriate option out of the four options that follow the sentences

Q.1
The devaluation(A)/upvaluation(B) in Rupee will increase the price of foreign currency.
Deficit(A)/Surplus(B) budgeting will reduce the gap in India’s Balance of Payment position.
The collapse(A)/Relapse(B) of Dengue is a concern for health care system
The army was malevolent(A)/benevolent(B) enough to kill a small boy.

 

 

  1. ABAB   2. ABBA    3.BABA    4. AABB

 

 

Q.2
The northern, eastern and north eastern regions suffered the outrage(A)/outage(B)
Their respective grids collapsed in quick recession(A)/succession(B)
The collapse of grids had devastating(A)/damaging(B) effect.
States have been suffering from the unmanageable(A)/perennial(B) problem for last many years.

 

 

  1. ABBA  2. BBAB  3. BABA  4.ABAB

 

 

Q. 1-Ans. 2. ABBA – Devaluation means decreasing the value of home currency, this will increase the price(value) of foreign currency;  Surplus- means more revenue than expenditure-it will cover the gap of India’s Balance of payments position;  Relapse- Recurrence of dengue is cause of concern. A person may collapse due to Dengue but not the dengue itself; Malevolent- hatred, ill will negative attitude. 

Q.2 – Ans.  2.BBAB 
 B. Outage means suspension of operation esp. Of electric power   (Outrage means an act of extreme violence) SO, B
 B. Succession means events following one another (Recession means withdrawing or going back, so B)
A. Devastating means highly destructive, causing shock or grief (damaging means having negative effect on someone or something, causing physical harm, so A)
A. Perennial means -continuing, for a long time (Unmanageable means difficult or impossible to control, so A)

Filling in the blanks with the correct choice of pair of words - This type of error correction is aimed to test the vocabulary usage in correct and most appropriate context. You may find that the words are close synonyms but as we have discussed every word has specific usage – e.g. you cannot ‘murder’ a sandwich, although you cut it with a knife;  besides there will be a difference in use of knife when it is used by a criminal and by a surgeon. Similarly, Corruption is not ‘fierce’, it is ‘rampant’.   You have to pick out the most appropriate pair of words out of the given options, to fill in the blanks. You may expect two such questions in CAT 2013.
Question Example with answer

Direction- Following question has a sentence with two blanks. Five pairs of words are the given below questions. Choose the pair that best completes the sentence.
Q.1 Under __________, the government was mainly concerned about the rich __________, so the country adopted western patent laws.

A. Antipathy; conclave
B. Apartheid; enclave
C. Discrimination; command
D. Apathy; territory
E. Approbation; domain
1.A  2.B  3.C   4.D  5.E

Q.2  To protect the ministry of finance (MOF) from pressure exerted by ________________ partners, it needs to be ___________.

A.    Affiliation; segregated

B.    Coalition; sequestered

C.    Combination; integrated

D.    Alliance ;secluded

E.    Factions ;cloistered  

1. B   2. A   3.C   4.D   5.E

 

Q.1Answer- 2B  -Apartheid, enclave - other words are absolutely different and will change the meaning and message of sentence. Apartheid- racial discrimination, Enclave is the area confined to a particular small territory (Rich Enclave) most appropriate. Other Options are not correct.

Q.2.Answer-1B.  Coalition; sequestered  Explanation- Option A- Although synonyms but have different usage, C-has both the words contradicting each other; D- Alliance is used in bigger and continual tie up –not appropriate, secluded cannot be used  as it has different usage;  E- both the words do not convey right message in the sentence.

Please remember -The words as used in the sentences are not so difficult but are little confusing. You can definitely arrive at the conclusion (at least for the time being) that the words used in CAT will not be so unfamiliar to you and you can very well understand their usage with regular practice. So read much, understand more and practice the most.

Marking the correct use of Phrasal Verbs, phrases and idioms- You may find distorted usage of these compounds in all the above types of questions based on  similar and confusing words in sentences; one common word used in different sentences; fill in the blanks type or whatever surprise CAT 2013 may have in store for you. These compounds are of common and familiar nature.  If you look around, you will find that the compounds formed with the most common word like ‘break’, ‘call’, ‘hand’ may be confusing, unless we have clear understanding to the suffix and prefix used with these words.

Question examples and answers-

Direction –  In the following question more than one word has been used in each sentence and one of the two may not be so appropriate as the other. You have to pick out the most appropriate option out of the five options that follow the sentences

 

The Principal called-on (A)/called-for (B) the guest to make a speech.

I discussed the matter for an hour, and then he came-to (A)/came round (B) to my opinion.

The escaped prisoner gave himself up (A)/gave out (B) to the police

The entourage is going to have a good day if the administration can hold up (A)/ hold off (B) the demonstrators.

His avarice looks-on (A)/looks-through (B) his eyes.

 1.BBAAB  2.ABABB  3. AAABA  4. ABBAB  5.BABBA.

Ans.2. ababb- Explanation-Called on-To appeal, to request a person; Called for-need, require, demand, to visit a place to collect a person; Came to –to recover consciousness; Came round- to change opinion; Gave (oneself) up- surrendered; Gave out- announced; Hold up-delay, stop by threats; Hold off-stay away, keep at a distance; Looks-on-consider; Looks through-be visible or apparent 

Direction- Below is the word which has been used in four different ways. You may also find  the usage in compound form.  You have to choose the option that best describes the incorrect/inappropriate use of the key word.

Q.2   Break

A.    The communication barrier is now broken down with all sincerity.

B.    The holiday is designed to enable patients and staff who might not be able to otherwise take a holiday to have a relaxing break.

C.    The cyclist pedalled fast but could not cope with the others and broke away from the pack.

D.    The break up will aid scientists in their mission to learn what sets us apart from other animals.

E.    I did a few fun songs then spoke from 10.00am until about 1.00pm with a short coffee break in the middle.

1.    B, C&E   2. A&D   3.B only   4.D only  5.C only

 

 

Answer Q.2- 4.D only –Explanation- Break through should be used in place of break-up. Breakup means to separate and break through means sudden discovery invention, surpassing an obstruction.

Now, follow the quick and simple Tips

First of all, Do read the Direction carefully before reading the question.  You may have to find out the incorrect word usage while you might be searching for correct usage.  You may, in your hurry, lose the credit, despite knowing the answer option.

Next is to Use elimination method, if you can spot even one or two correct contextual usage in sentences.  For example, you have the answer options -  1. BBAAB  2.ABABB  3. AAABA   4. ABBAB  5.BABBA and you are able to find two correct usage say -  sentence 1-A and sentence 2-B; now there are only two such options, 2 and 4, that begin with ‘AB…’ So concentrate on them only and eliminate the other ones. Next is to find out more correct usage and you may save your time on rest of the sentences.

Third and very important tip is to understand the meaning of the sentence. The word, used in different ways, has specific contextual usage. You cannot write ‘Pretty Boy’  or ‘Handsome woman’  -although pretty and handsome are the synonyms. Understanding of suffixes in compounds will help a lot, for example, if you suffix – ‘on’ to any verb like ‘Look-on’ ‘move-on’ ‘march-on’;  you have at least the understanding that now this word has got some meaning related to ‘forward’ and it becomes a little easy.  Some students get the correct usage when they read the sentence a little aloud. Find out various usage on common everyday life words but avoid parrot fashion learning now, as you may waste your time on it.

Fourth key tip is to read the question with blanks without filling in any words. Don’t even look at the answer options. Now see, what comes to your mind when you are stuck at blanks. This general understanding will lead you to appropriate answer option. Please, however, remember that the given words may be contradictory to meaning and losing your cool may get you a wrong answer option.

Other published articles in Verbal series – 7 days to CAT 2013, are :

Part-1 http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7139/    which described the solution tips on 6 types of LR problems;

Part-2  http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7142/verbal-ability-error-correction  shared the types and tips to solve the five types of questions in Error correction segment.

Next article in the series will guide you how to get the most, out of Reading Comprehension passages.  Remember to carefully read the earlier article on anticipated surprise questions in Verbal Ability .

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more Expert articles and updates on CAT 2013