Ability to identify common errors in paragraphs and sentences is as important as error correction in Vocabulary Usage, Jumbled Paragraphs, and Reading Comprehension passages.
This article from MBAUniverse.com CAT 2013 Prep team of CAT experts, brings you broad understanding on some of the common error questions in VA section that frequently appear in CAT.
Students usually commit errors in the usage of Vocabulary in sentences, usage of grammar, similar sounding and confused words, a word used in different ways and so on. Many do’s and don’ts exist as the guidelines to solve them. More important, however, is to understand the types of errors you may face in the examination and how to solve them.
While your quest for preparing such ‘common error’ questions in Verbal Ability will get a shot in the arm when your interest to it is inculcated in one or other way, here follows 5 of the Top 10 common errors in VA section with model questions and their solution & explanation. We will bring you 5 more common errors in the next part of this story to be published soon.
1. Correction of underlined clauses which may or may not be grammatically incorrect
Four options are given to replace the underlined clause. It can be a part of sentence, complete sentence, a phrase, an idiom with incorrect syntax, tense, verb or other grammatical error. One of the options (Mostly option A) is same as in the question - which may or may not be correct.
Question 1 -Below are given the sentences in which a part or the complete sentences have been underlined. Four options follow each question. The first of these repeats the original; the other three are different. If you think the original is the best, choose option A, else pick out the most appropriate option which, in your view expresses the best way of writing Standard English.
Q.1 If I have enough money I would backpack around Europe. But unfortunately I am broke.
A. If I have enough money I would backpack around Europe. But unfortunately I am broke.
B. If I have had enough money, I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately I am broke.
C. If I had enough money I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately I am broke.
D. If I had enough money, I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately, I am broke.
1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D
Ans. Q.1 – 4.D- Unreal past conditional with little or negligible probability. Punctuation usage –comma- to be placed before and after the adverb unfortunately as the same has been used in the middle of the sentence. Had it been used in the beginning of the sentence, comma would have been required only after the said adverb.
Q. 2 Love comes to everyone at sometime in his life, that is a wonderful feeling.
A. Love comes to everyone at sometime in his life, that is a wonderful feeling.
B. Love, which comes to everyone at sometime in his life, that is a wonderful feeling.
C. Love, who comes to everyone at sometime in his life, is a wonderful feeling.
D. Love, which is a wonderful feeling, comes to everyone sometime in his life.
1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D
Ans. Q. 2- 4 D- Relative pronoun has been used to correct the error. Correct Sentence is - Love, which is a wonderful feeling, comes to everyone sometime in his life.
Important tip to solve: such questions is to understand the underlying concept – the questions are based on typical grammar usage. Although the answers to both of the questions are discussed in detail please remember that strong fundamentals are required to be built to crack the error correction questions in CAT. Another important aspect is that the Wrong options will either change the message and context of the sentence or are written in more than required words-changing the necessary structure of the sentence. If you find that the underlined part of the sentence is incorrect in one or other way, You may not waste time on reading the option A, as in most of the cases, it is the same as given in the question. Try to read carefully & concentrate on the shortest, aptly written option having no grammatical error, as this may be the correct choice.
2. Re-writing of entire sentence
There is no underlined part of sentence. It may contain one error, multiple errors or no error. If you think that the sentence is not correct-either grammatically or syntax-wise, you may not waste time on reading option A. Close reading of Option A is required in case, if you find no error or unable to find any error in the question. Since the question and the option A are same in most of the cases-reading either of the two will suffice. In this case all the options are required to be closely read before marking the correct answer. Read the following question and the suggested answer-
Direction- Please select the most appropriate option, out of the five options given for each of the following sentences, which, in your view, should be the correct one. Please note that the meaning & context of the sentence must not change.
Q.3 Although I know the answer already and he invited me to visit him often, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
A. Although I know the answer already and he invited me to visit him often, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
B. Although I have already known the answer and he invited me to visit him often but since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
C. Although I knew the answer already, and he has often invited me to visit him, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
D. Although I already know the answer and he often invited me to visit him , since I have just seen her in the square, I am determined never to yield this point.
1. A 2. B 3. C 4.D 5. C&D
Tip to Ans-. 4. D - Explanation – Adverb modifies a verb/an adjective or an adverb. Place it before the verb i.e. ‘already know’, ‘often invited’, ‘have just seen’, ‘ determined never to yield this point – i.e. I will never compromise/surrender on this point, it is not ’never determined’ –it will mean –adverb never is giving emphasis on the determination of the subject ‘I’ besides this is the particular point which is never to be yielded.
3. Marking the correct sentences
It consists of four sentences, forming a paragraph, out of them one or more sentences may be correct. The options are given accordingly and you are supposed to mark the correct option. Now go through the questions and try to solve them without looking at the answer – find out the fundamental rule on which the question is based, then follow the given suggested preparation lead -
Direction for question- In the following question please identity the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Choose the most appropriate option.
Q.4 A. If you couldn’t find my umbrella, you may tell me so that
B. I will ask someone over there to help me find out the same
C. As you know, it is still raining cats and dogs outside this shelter,
D. and the gentleman, who has just dropped us to this bus shelter in his car, also left us
E. Now we can not do anything else but to wait for some one who can help us.
1. A&E 2. C&D 3. B,D&E 4.C&E 5. A&D
Tips and explained analysis to the Answer. 4. C&E-
A. If you couldn’t find my umbrella, you might tell me so that (use might-Conditional if clause in past,main clause –would/should/could might+base verb)
B. I would ask someone over there to help me find out the same (use would- clause is connected to if clause, again the same structure- would/should/could might + base verb)
C. As you know, it is still raining cats and dogs outside this shelter, (correct- Cats & Dogs-use of idiom, verb is correct)
D. And the gentleman, who has just dropped us to this bus shelter in his car, has also left us (Incorrect, instead use- has left –parallel action “has just dropped” “has left”. If the sentence were framed –“and the gentleman who dropped us to this bus shelter in his car a few minutes ago, has also left”-it would be correct.
E. Now we can’t do anything else but to wait for someone who can help us. (Correct)
Important tip - The correct sentences can be picked out, if you have clarity of rules of English Grammar, punctuation, spelling and tenses along with the syntax pattern for short and long sentences, as this type of error creates more confusion. So a good deal of practice is required of various parts of speech in grammar alongwith correct use of punctuation.
4. Marking the incorrect sentences
It is opposite to earlier one. Here also, you are given four sentences- the difference is that you have to mark the incorrect sentences, which may be one or more. Correct options can be exercised by following the rules of grammar, syntax and verbosity.
Direction - Q. 5 & 6 In each question there are four sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) that is/are incorrect in terms of grammar including, spelling, punctuation and usage. Pick out the most appropriate option, out of the options that follow the question
Q. 5-A. Did you hear that Margaret won $5,000/- in Las Vegas,
B. and she had used the money to buy a new washing machine and dryer?
C. How boring! If I had won that much money,
D. I would go to Niagara for a couple of weeks.
1. B only 2.B&D 3. A&B 4. C&D
Tips to Answers- Q.5 – 2.B&D – simple past required – money could not be used before being won, so she used; D-Would have gone – C part of the para indicates unreal conditional in past of the past, therefore D part must be framed according to the rules.
Q.6 – A. The hunter shot three tigers while in the forest but couldn’t lie
B. his hands on any of them as it transpired a cunning old man hid them
C. under wild bush in the forest. I suggest that when you get there
D. go into the third door on your right to see the old man.
1. A&B 2.A,B&C 3. B,C&D 4. A,C&D
Q. 6-Ans. 2.A,B & C- A-couldn’t lay; B-it transpired that.. C- ‘that’ should not be used before ‘when’;
5. Building the Vocabulary - Marking the correct use of words in sentences
Usage of vocabulary is very important. Correct Vocabulary usage can only empower you to communicate well in your managerial position. Despite the close synonyms – every word has specific usage – one can’t write ‘Pretty Boy’ or ‘Handsome woman’ -although pretty and handsome are the synonyms.
This type tests the use of your vocabulary in different contexts. A key word is given which is used in four/five different contexts, you have to find out the correct use from the given options and mark the answer accordingly.
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.7 - Key word - 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
Tips to Ans.to Q. 7- 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.
Q. 8 - 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 favours and privileges with flair and precision.
Ans. Q.8- B. The air smelled caustic flair and snowed flurrying motes of ash.
The part II of this article will bring you 5 more types of common errors in Verbal Ability section covering parajumbles and Reading comprehension passages.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more articles on CAT Prep 2013.
