TIPS TO CRACK VERBAL ABILITY

CAT questions have changed a lot and unlike direct vocabulary questions of 90's, it now focuses on contextual usage of vocabulary in sentences and paragraphs.

While preparing vocabulary for Verbal Ability section of CAT, you may find this a vast exercise. Given the kind of questions in CAT which many a time does not refer to the direct meaning but contextual usage, makes your Vocabulary preparation even tougher. But a well-thought exercise on vocabulary may make your preparation smooth and easy.

Judge the strength of your Vocabulary by simply giving it a pensive thought for a few moments. How many words do you recall? May be somewhere around 800-1000 or whatever you can get. Now start writing them (rest assured you can write 80 words a minute, if you remember them with correct spelling). Suddenly you will find your stock of vocabulary has increased by another 400+ words. How did it happen? Simple, you become more concentrated and focused, when you write and whatever is hidden in your sub-conscious mind, starts flowing out. Now give a thought to this exercise – how many words from the total stock belong to the category of mugged up ones and how many are from the frequently used bag, or childhood learning period. You might be astonished to know that more than 70% of the words belong to the latter category. If you start putting all the words to usage in writing, you will again find that you are more comfortable while using the latter category words and rest of the words either leave you flummoxed in usage or you tend to put most of them to wrong application.

An important question is – Now what to do? Relax and follow a few simple rules. All of us are aware that our vocabulary gets enriched in number of ways. Since childhood, we have been hearing or reading new words and after a certain period hundreds of words cease to appear as new. While going through in context, we deduce their meaning or we try to look at the way they are made up and quickly put their meaning together. CAT in its new attire, has changed a lot and unlike direct vocabulary questions of 90’s it has focused itself with contextual usage of vocabulary in sentences and paragraphs.

Understanding a word is different from knowing it- We may understand a word as to what it means-nearly but it is not necessary that we know well how to use it in its correct sense. We may recognize more words that we use and have some idea of their meaning. However, we do not use them often, so the correct use is not well known to us. While getting ready to learn new words, take the periodical tips, their roots, prefixes-suffixes etc.

Remember the following Tips-
Most important of all - Do not memorize long lists of new words. Parrot-fashion learning will not help you in CAT especially because the interpretation of meaning is more important for solving the questions. The words which are learnt in context and those which can be put to use in speech and writing shall form the part of the vocabulary. While preparing for the vocabulary section you can go through the following steps:

i) First of all try to guess the meaning of the word used in particular context
ii) Check the guess in dictionary, its correct spelling, pronunciation and then finally, practice the new word.
iii) Frame the sentences containing the word, write the sentences down.
iv) Try to think how many times you have used the word during the day. Speak out the sentences to yourself, standing before the mirror or whatever means you find to use the same.
v) Try to picturise the word, memory works better on pictures than on reading & lectures etc. Grab the opportunity to use the word in conversation. Feel proud when you use it but never try to correct the other person using the same words. The person might be right and might be using it in some other context or you might have got it wrong. So be polite and bring more strength in yourself.

Let’s have a quick look at use of synonyms:

Synonym Words do not mean that they can perfectly substitute one another. They are formed to be used in different contexts like a woman can’t be handsome as a man can’t be pretty. Look at the following close synonyms that have difference in usage –

Key word Synonyms

Valour - courage, boldness, bravery, daring

1. Soldiers get chance to show valour/daring/boldness/courage/bravery at the time of war.
2. They warmly commended the bravery/valour/boldness of the rescue workers.
3. The courage/daring/bravery of the early martyrs gave courage/bravery/valour to others.
4. Hopefully, a good number of religious people will muster the boldness/bravery/courage to read the book anyway.

Differences in usage-
Courage is being without fear. (Inner strength)
Bravery is doing something regardless of your fear. (Exhibit)
Gallantry is more of a synonym of chivalrousness.
Heroism is being the one who steps forward.
Mettle is the ability to not back down from a challenge, (i.e. a "Test of Mettle" is basically calling someone a chicken).
Valour is the integrity of spirit that keeps someone strong and able to do the right thing. (Not shown all the time without purpose)

Answers – 1. Valour 2. bravery 3.courage 4.courage

Author of this article Mr S K Agarwal is a CAT Expert, a seasoned CAT trainer with over 25 years of experience, & author of many CAT books.