Test of Analogy

 Analogy questions are meant for strengthening  vocabulary. This type of questions are used in English section of a few competitive examinations now,and, for most of tests this type has moved to their verbal reasoning section.

In the test of analogy, we look for the relationship between two words and then look for another pair that share the same relationship. For example, we could say flower to the garden is as book is to library because a flower can be found in a garden and a book can be found in a library.

Structure of the Questions
In these type of questions, students are given with a pair of words followed by four or five additional pairs of words. They must select from the choices that pair which best matches the relationship existing between the given pair. In handling such questions, it is necessary to determine the exact nature of relationship existing between the given pair of words.

Sample Example
Tree : Forest
(a) daisy : meadow
(b) grass : lawn
(c) wheat : field
(d) flower : garden
(e) frog : pond

In this case, the relationship is that a forest cannot exist without trees. The answer is (b) because a
lawn cannot exist without grass. However, a meadow need not contain daisies; a field can be made
of grain other than wheat; a garden may contain only vegetables and a pond need not contain frogs.

In some questions, you are asked to carry an analogy from a
concrete relationship to a more abstract or less tangible situation. In others you may find questions
involving synonyms, antonyms, and cause and effect.

List of Possible Relationships

Worker and article created
carpenter : house, writer : book, composer : symphony

 

Time sequence
early : late; dawn : twilight; sunrise : sunset

 

Cause and effect
germ : disease, carelessness : accident, explosion : debris (scattered remains) 

 

Degree of intensity
tepid (lukewarm): hot, joy: ecstasy, admiration : love 

 

Class-species
furniture : chair, insect : grasshopper, mammal : whale, dog : poodle (dog breed) 

 

Typo-characteristic
cow : herbivorous (feeds plants), tiger : carnivorous (feeds flesh)

 

Synonyms
lie : prevaricate (speak in evasive manner), kind : benevolent 

 

Antonyms
never : always, love : hate, fancy : simple, real : fictional

 

Part to the whole
soldier : regiment, star : constellation

 

 

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Vocabulary : Antonyms and Synonyms

Even a star striker fails to score goal, similarly athletes can not win the events unless they have been trained properly. Great musicians keep on practicing to prepare for important concerts. these activities may feel like difficult road, but indeed it leads to beautiful destination.

List of Synonyms and Antonyms

 

The following is a list of common words along with their synonyms (words with more or less similar meaning) and antonyms (words with more or less opposite meaning) to help you tackle the vocabulary section of synonyms and antonyms in your examination:

 

WORD	SYNONYM	ANTONYM
Abandon	forsake, leave, give up, relinquish	retain, stay with
abhor	dislike, detest, hate	approve, like
aboriginal	native, indigenous	immigrant, imported
abridge	condense, summarise, shorten, curtail	expand, extend, enlarge
abrupt	sudden, steep, hasty	gentle, gently
abundant	ample, plentiful, rich, exuberant	meagre, inadequate, poor, insufficient
accomplish	finish, fulfil, execute, achieve	fail, leave undone
affinity	alliance, liking, sympathy, attraction	dislike, discord, antipathy, repulsion, repugnance
adjacent	close, near, contiguous	remote, distant, far away
accumulate	collect, pile up, store	squander, waste, distribute
acquaintance	knowledge, cognisance	ignorance, unfamiliar
ambiguous	doubtful, uncertain, suspicion, skepticism	clear, simple, certainty, confidence
amiable	lovable, charming, aggreable	unlovable, unattractive
analogy	likeness, resemblance, comparison	difference, dissimilar
annihilate	destroy, abolish, nullify, wipe out, reduce	restore, ratify, improve
anticipate	forestall, forecast, prejudge, foresee	be missed
antipathy	dislike, aversion, hostility	liking, sympathy, attachment
antique	ancient, old, hoary, immemorial	modern, fresh, new, young, recent, novel
apparent	clear, evident, plain, conspicuous, manifest, obvious	obscure, invisible, concealed, hidden, secret, implicit,inconspicuous
augment	increase, enlarge, swell, extend	decrease, lessen, reduce
aversion	hostility, dislike, unwillingness, distaste	willingness, readiness, liking

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Synonyms for Competitive Exams

A synonym is a word or expression accepted as a figurative or symbolic substitute for another word or expression. In other words, we can say that a synonym is a word which has the same, or almost the same meaning as that of another word in the same language. For example: mix, blend and mingle are synonyms as they convey more or less the same meanings. English has the largest vocabulary and, therefore, has more synonyms than any other language in the world.

 

Format of the Questions:

 

Set-1
In each of the following questions a word is given in capital letters followed by four alternative words marked a-d. Select from the alternatives the word nearest in meaning to the word given in capital letters:

1. DISTASTEFUL

(a) not delicious (b) tasteless (c) unpleasant (d) useless

 

2. ACQUIESCE

 

(a) something liquid (b) watery (c) consent (d) to know someone

3. ESCALATE

(a) retard (b) step up (c) hamper (d) oppose

Explanations
1. Distasteful means something that offends the senses, the feelings or the opinions. Unpleasant means something failing to please. As both these words convey same meanings (i.e. bad), they are synonymous.
2. Acquiesce suggests that accept something reluctantly and without protest. Consent suggests giving of permission or the acceptance of a proposal. However, both the words refer to a positive response.
3. Escalate implies a gradual process or a series of sudden or surprise spurts (sudden move). Step-up suggests a series of spurts with intervals between them. However, both the words imply heightening of something in scale.

Answers    1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (b)

Set-II
In each of the following questions, there are three words which are meanings of a certain word. Select that word from the answer choices provided in each question:

 1. everlasting, endless, unending
(a) living (b) eternal (c) increased (d) durable

2. flee, escape, run away
(a) abscond (b) hide (c) go underground (d) forcing

3. absolve, acquit, vindicate
(a) banish (b) exonerate (c) subsist (d) resist

Explanations
1. Eternal means something that will never cease.
2. Abscond means escaping from detention and mainly refers to embezzlement or theft in which property
is illegally seized.
3. Exonerate means to free from accusation or blame.

Answers
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (b)

Set-III
In each of the following questions there are four words marked a–d. While three of them are synonymous or have more or less same meaning, one is altogether different from the rest. Select from answer choices the word which is different from the rest:

1. (a) exile (b) banish (c) expatriate (d) exist

2. (a) witty (b) pleasant (c) comical (d) humourous

3. (a) grim (b) dismal (c) cheerless (d) formal

 

 

Explanations
1. All other words refer to the sending away or placing apart of a person, group of people or things, except (d)
exist, which means to live.
2. All other words refer to what causes or is intended to cause amusement or laughter, except (b).
3. All other words refer to appearances or prospects that are cold or unpromising, except (d).

Answers
1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (d)

Set- IV
In each of the following questions a sentence is given in which one word is printed in red. Under each sentence four alternatives, marked a–d are given. Your task is to select the word or expression from the alternatives which convey more or less same meaning as the word printed in bold type:

1. Additional sessions will be held as circumstances dictate.
(a) explain (b) require (c) speak (d) defend

2. Contributions from various sources help defray the cost of maintaining the hospital.
(a) reduce (b) increase (c) project (d) to provide money for expenses

Answers
1. (b) 2. (d)

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The Syllabi of Various Competitive Examinations

 For almost all competitive examinations, the syllabi is more or less same and is similar to the 10+2 syllabi, which graduate level students should be familiar with. The format of questions may differ from examination to examination, but the content is more or less same for all competitions. The data provided below is based on either the syllabi mentioned by the respective test conducting authorities, or based on memory and self-analysis of the author. The purpose of providing this information is to give the students an insight into the formats of different examinations held in recent years. However, the intention of this analysis is to show how different types of questions have different significance in different examinations. These formats are not fixed and there may be changes within sections or in the overall format of papers. Some of the current syllabi of such examinations are given below in order to help in preparing for competitive examinations.

. SSC Assistants’ Grade (Prelim) Examination

 Paper of Language Comprehension: (a) General English—In addition to testing the candidate’s understanding of the English language and its correct usage, his writing ability would also be tested. (b) Communicative or writing skills—In addition to testing the candidate’s ability to understand English, his comprehension and writing ability would also be tested, along with vocabulary and correct usage of words and sentences.

Examination for Staff Selection Commission (SSC)/Divisional Accountants/ Auditors/Upper Division Clerks, etc.

 Paper on Comprehension and Writing Ability of English: Questions will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding and knowledge of the English language, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms and antonyms etc. There will also be questions on comprehension of passages.

Probationary Officers/Dev. Officers Examinations 

Various banks have started conducting their own tests to recruit probationary officers. However, there is a marked similarity in the format of the question papers in recent times. For example, similar formats are followed for tests for Development Officers of NABARD (Grade A) or RBI (Grade B) Officers. Test of English Language: In the case of tests conducted for the recruitment of Probationary Officers, the syllabus for the English language test generally comprises grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, synonyms, antonyms, comprehension of a passage etc. The format for testing these parameters differ from examination to examination, but in most cases it covers only these topics. Though a majority of the papers have only 50 questions, a candidate may be surprised with a 75 or 100 questions section in a Test of English.

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA) 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds competitive examination for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA. Test of English Language: This paper is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English and workman-like use of words. The syllabus covers various aspects, like grammar and its usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion in the extended text to test the candidate’s proficiency in English. All questions will be multiple-choice, objective-type and the candidate is required to choose appropriate responses from the given alternatives.

Combined Defence Services Examinations (CDS) 

The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted by the UPSC. Test of English Ability: Knowledge of degree level English is required for this paper. The test contains 120 MCQs on comprehension, sentence completion/improvement, vocabulary, antonyms, synonyms, one-word substitutes, idioms/phrases, and error detection etc.

 Police Sub-Inspectors Examinations 

This examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for recruitment of: (a) SubInspectors (Executive); (b) Sub-Inspectors of Police in CBI; (c) Sub-Inspectors of Indo-Tibetan Border Police; (d) Sub-Inspectors or Platoon Commanders in BSF; (e) Sub-Inspectors in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF); (f) Sub-Inspectors in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Test of English Language for this examination is divided in two parts, each containing 100 questions. 

Part A is Language Comprehension (Objective-type)—This paper is designed to test the candidate’s understanding and knowledge of the English language, its comprehension, vocabulary (synonyms and antonyms), spellings and grammar etc. 

Part B is the Writing Ability Test—Questions will be designed to test knowledge and understanding of the English language, its vocabulary, grammar, sentence completion, sentence structure, synonyms, anto-nyms, phrases and idiomatic use of words etc. There may be questions on paragraph writing and or precis writing. This book covers all the topics of both the sections, and the format of questions is given to familiarize the candidates with the type of questions he/she is likely to face in the examination.

Clerical Grade Examinations 

The Banking Service Recruitment Board conducts competitive examinations for the recruitment of clerical cadre in branches/offices of public sector banks for various states. The standard and format of all these tests are more or less similar for all state BSRB examinations. Test of English Language/English Ability: The Test of English language paper consists of following types of questions: (i) Spotting the Errors; (ii) Antonyms and Synonyms; (iii) Filling in the blanks; (iv) Use of prepositions, idioms/phrases; (v) Test of spellings; (vi) Rearranging jumbled up sentences ; (vii) Comprehension of passage and answering questions based on the passage

 Master of Business Administration (MBA) In addition to the four Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and the All India Management Association (AIMA), which conduct the Common Admission Tests (CAT) and Management Aptitude Tests (MAT), certain universities and management institutes also conduct entrance examinations for admission. Popular management entrence exams in clude SNAP, NMAT, JMET, XAT, FMS, IIFT, ATMA, IRMA etc. In all these tests there is a ‘Test of English Language’ or ‘Communication skills’. Reading Comprehension Tests hold a significant position in such examinations and there could be a separate RC section whose difficulty level has become a benchmark for certain examinations. Also, there could be variations; for example, RC passages in CAT are very difficult while in XAT they may be lengthy. The syllabi for all these tests can collectively be summarized as: English Language Section: This is generally known as the Verbal Ability test and comprises: (a) Sentence improvement/sentence completion (b) Vocabulary tests: synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutes, idioms/phrases, words confused and misused (c) Error detection and word usages (d) Spellings and word meanings (e) Word analogies

 Other Important Examinations In addition to the above-mentioned examinations, there are many more examinations which have Test of English as a core section. We have provided a table in which many such examinations and their respective formats as per recent papers are detailed. 

Some of these are: • United India Insurance AAO • LIC AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer) Examination • Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners Examination • EPFO Social Security Assistant Examination • JEE (Hotel Management Entrance) Examination • NID (National Institute of Design) Examination • NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) Examination • CTET (Central Teacher’s Eligibility Test) • MCA Entrance Examination • New India Assurance Examination • Law Entrance Examination • Assistant Station Masters Recruitment Examination • Post-graduate Diploma in Tourism Management (PGDTM) • Section Officer (Audit) Examination • DMRC Customer Relition Assistant • ESIC Maharashtra English • Delhi University LLB • CLAT 2012 UG

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