Test of English in CMAT Sep 2014 is not going to be the English Language Comprehension test only; it will be a comprehensive English test which includes the test of grammar, tenses, vocabulary, jumbled paragraphs, reading comprehension and all other parts of English language usage. CMAT is proposed to begin on Sep 25 and will continue till Sep 29, 2014. So there will be a total of 10 exam sessions in the 5 days test window in morning and afternoon on each day.
Prof S K Agarwal, Expert on Verbal Ability shares some important quick tips to crack the English comprehension Test in CMAT Sep 2014.
40 days are left
CMAT aspirants must have geared up and fastened their belts to face, barely five weeks away one of the most sought after Management entrance examination of 2014 for admission 2015-16. Some of the CMAT takers call it “Crooked Management Admission Test”, as the Language comprehension section in it changes and gets some new shape in every new session although it has a moderate syllabus.
English language comprehension section in CMAT remains unpredictable and full of surprises. Its Jumbled paragraphs have small but different types of jumbled sentences and other questions based on varying topics also do not lag behind. At present we have 40 days to our credit and with each passing day the number is getting reduced. Now the issue is how to make the most out of it?
Let us discuss a very simple but useful strategy to solve a set of 25 questions in this section accurately and quickly.
Study well the following Topics for CMAT Sep 2014
Following topics should be covered to strengthen the language comprehension section for CMAT. They will help you solve almost all the questions in CMAT Sep 2014.
CMAT aspirants can learn, practice and get expertise in usage of these topics in a fortnight if they can honestly devote 45 minutes a day. Almost all the topics are inter related and practice questions on one topic will lead to understanding of another.
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Parts of speech & related topics |
Tenses & Vocab |
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a. Articles |
a.Indefinite Tenses |
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b. nouns |
b.Continuous tenses |
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c. pronouns |
c.Perfect tenses |
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d. Adjectives/Adverbs |
d.perfect continuous tenses |
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e. conjunctions |
e.conditional and unreal past |
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f. Preposition & followed prepositions |
f.Reported speech |
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g. Non-finites |
Usage-Few, a few, the few, Little, a little, the little, some, any, each, every |
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h. Misplaced and dangling modifiers |
Usage-Prefer, would rather, had better,No sooner, As soon as |
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i. Usage in Verb-agreement with subject |
Usage-As well, as well as, neither-nor, either-or, else-or else, too-enough, many a, |
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j. punctuation |
Fairly-rather; causative-have-get; also-too; also-as well; scarcely-when; hardly-when |
English Grammar; the base of Language comprehension in CMAT
A.Correction of sentences which may or may not be grammatically incorrect-four options are given to replace the bold words or parts of clauses. It can be a group of words, a phrase, an idiom with incorrect syntax, tense, verb or other grammatical error.
Example
1. Which of the following Statements is grammatically correct?
A.Each of the girls living in the orphanage had been ill-treated by her family before they were abandoned.
B. Each of the girls living in the orphanage were ill-treated by their family before they were abandoned.
C.Each of the girls living in the orphanage had been ill-treated by her family before she was abandoned.
D. Each of the girls living in the orphanage was ill treated by her family before she had been abandoned.
Ans: C
B. writing a part of or entire sentence - Incomplete sentences are given, you are required to pick out the most appropiate option to complete the same. These options are based on rules of grammar and tenses
C. Correction of clauses which may or may not be grammatically incorrect
Sentences with four sections marked 1 to 4 are given with an option no. 5 for no error. The candidate has to mark the option wherein error exists else option -5 has to be marked.
VOCABULARY USAGE
Understanding the usage of vocabulary is very important. It is an important part of Language comprehension section in CMAT and other reputed MBA entrance examinations.
Correct usage of Vocabulary words can give you an edge in this section. You may expect following types of vocabulary based questions in CMAT. It gives a fairly good Weightage in language comprehension section.
Types of Questions that appear in vocabulary Usage - Broadly speaking, there could be following types of vocabulary based questions
A.Synonyms-Antonyms- Synonym to antonyms or vice versa followed by four close options are given. The examinee has to identify and pick out the option which is nearest to the given word in the question.
B.Marking the correct choice of similar sounding/confusing words- It also tests the vocabulary usage in specific context. Out of the two three words, used in a sentence, correct choice of the word, supposed to be used is to be marked from the given options
C.Picking out the correct words left out in a paragraph- This type tests the use of your vocabulary in different contexts. Important Vocabulary Words are left out of the sentences in the paragraph. you have to find out the correct words from the given options and mark the answer accordingly.
D.Relationship words – Analogy- A pair of words – with certain relationship between them may be given followed by four options . The aspirant has to identify and pick out the option which best explains the relationship between the given pair of words in the question.
Example question
Direction-Select the word to replace the blank space
2. Benevolent : Kind : : Unclear : _____________
A. Bright B. Thick C. Luminous D. Muddy
Answer: D
E.One Word Substitution- Questions based on certain expression in the form of a sentence can also be asked. Four different words or compound words follow the expression as options. One of the words is the key word to the expression. The candidate has to pick out the most appropriate option.
Example
Direction-Select one word/phrase which is closest in the meaning to the given sentence
3. Person who Knows or can speak many languages
A. Polyglot B. Potable C. Plebiscite D. Paramour
Answer: A
Jumbled Paragraphs
CMAT like CAT and XAT puts the candidate to test for his coherent and systematic understanding of ideas. The candidate is expected to arrange all the jumbled sentences in logical & sequential order. In another words it is the test of the student’s versatile reading, understanding of language, writing ability based on deep stock of vocabulary, grammar and correct use of tenses. A candidate may improve his performance by following a few tips to solve these questions.
Most of the jumbled paragraphs in CMAT have opening and closing sentences. These are middle order sentences that have to be arranged. Besides the jumbled sentences are not very long.
How to solve a jumbled paragraph
If you have strong fundamentals it will be easier for you to understand the link between the sentences. You should now go for more practice exercises and mocks, this will give you a fair understanding of such questions.
Good command on vocabulary, regular reading of news papers-especially various articles and editorials based on different topics will help you a lot in this section. If you get the link between any 2 sentences rest may be eliminated and appropriate option can be picked.
English comprehension passages – Unlike CAT, CMAT gives you shorter and not too difficult passages. Although this can be a respite to some extent, there is no fix rule on framing the questions based on Reading comprehension passage, which is followed by at least four-five questions each.
A.Questions based on phrases, idioms – Question based on phrases or idioms used in the passages might be asked. You should be well aware about, at least the general idea so that the right option might be selected.
B.Questions based on expression in the passage- A sentence or two with inherent meaning or message like a proverb might be given. You are supposed to pick out the option that explains the expression in the most appropriate manner.
C.Questions based on the Central idea of the passage-can be asked with close options. One has to read the passage between the lines to answer this type of question.
How to prepare to crack comprehension passage based questions
1.Make it the regular practice to read the editorials, articles in the news paper,
2. Underline the difficult words-search out their meanings and put them to use in writing, in conversation etc. Tests have shown that the number of unfamiliar words in a passage, if exceeds about one in twenty, the reader will lose track. Hence you should be able to understand 80% of the passage well. With this proportion, the reader may skip over the unfamiliar words and grasp, at least the general meaning.
What to read and How to prepare -
The experienced and dedicated professors never recommend that you go on learning (or mugging ?) the words, without actually knowing their correct usage. It is advisable to learn a few words on regular basis, get their correct usage to remember for ever, by writing letters/ paragraphs/ short essays/ Articles to news papers or whatever the way, the student thinks best. The aim is to understand the various applications of the particular word. The discussions in groups, family, friends, with correct use of words will give a boost to the word power. So Practice more and more vocabulary usage on a regular basis as the time is short.
Have a good book on grammar and reading comprehension with plenty of exercises. Get your concepts cleared and then attempt the exercises. At a later stage on line mock tests will enable you to have proper feel of examination hall and your level of preparation as well. So take on the challenge.
Devote 30 to 45 minutes a day to learn and then practice to solve various types of questions on English Language comprehension. It won’t take you more than 30-35 days to learn, revise and practice entire syllabus.
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