Common Mistakes in English Usage

Whether you like it or not, any management entrance examination like CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc. will judge you by your quality of using right word in right context. The first thing you should do is to avoid the most common spelling mistakes. Below you’ll find 10 such mistakes to get you started.

10 common spelling mistakes

1. accept / except

INCORRECT: Please except this gift.
CORRECT: Please accept this gift.

Except, as a verb, means to exclude or leave out. As a preposition it means “with the exception of.” Accept means “to receive willingly.” For example: We visited every landmark except the Eiffel Tower. The school is accepting only those students who have had their shots; all others are excepted.

2. advice / advise

INCORRECT: He refused to take my advise.
CORRECT: He refused to take my advice.

Advise is a verb. The s has the sound of “z.” Advice is a noun. The c has the sound of “s.”

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Tags: common spelling mistake

Fast Reading for Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension – Fast Reading

We keep on getting requests from FireUp patrons (both paid and unpaid users) to publish various tips which could help them in their preparation for CAT or other MBA entrance examinations.

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Here’s our first post under this initiative

Biggest hindrance to speed reading and its solution

Subvocalization limits your reading to the speed of normal speech to about 200-300 wpm only. It is the tendency to pronounce words as they are read. Activating parts of the brain related to pronouncing limits the reading speed to 250 wpm only. This common flaw is what limits performance of average readers.

Eliminating Subvocalization to Increase Reading Speed

So how can we get rid of the “inner voice” that reduces our reading speed? Here are a number of ways to speed-read by eliminating subvocalization:

Simply the Process

As discussed earlier in Speed Reading post, below-average readers are slowed down when they read word for word. From this, they either verbally or mentally hear themselves voice each word before finally comprehending the meaning of each word. However, there is a better way. The faster way eliminates the practice of hearing your own voice reading each word – you glance at the word and go directly to understanding its meaning.

Adjust the Speed

This actually reinforces initial efforts to shortcut the process as stated above. Step up eye movements across the page to prevent the inner voice from actually verbally or mentally saying the text you are reading. Pick-up the pace of the finger, hand, pen, or card movements as you go over the material. The objective here is to distract you and skip the subvocalization process in order to speed up the reading process.

Consider the reading material in entirety

When reading, people have the tendency to focus on the word or blocks of words only, paying no attention to the whole thought and idea expressed in the sentence, paragraph, and reading material as a whole. Shift the focus on the entire idea expressed in the book, article, or any reading material you are holding.

Constant practice with these techniques increases the number of words read at each eye stop and picks up your pace in reading.

Buy FireUp Reading Comprehension module for detailed description of various techniques like the one discussed above and for thousands of practice questions and tests.

Tags: Fast Reading, Fast Reading Practice, Reading Comprehension, Reading Practice, speed reading, Speed Reading Practice

Euphemism – Definition and Examples

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This week’s Lesson – Euphemisms

What is Euphemisms?

Euphemisms are agreeable or inoffensive substitutes for expressions that might offend someone or suggest something unpleasant. Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.

For example, ‘death penalty’ can be considered as an offensive expression by some. Its euphemism will be ‘capital punishment’. For more commonly used euphemisms see below.

Opposite of Euphemism

Dysphemism is usage of a nasty term for something not-nasty

Common Usage of Euphemisms

Offensive Expressions	Euphemisms
Death	Demise
Pornography	Erotica
Bad breath	Halitosis
Poor	Indigent, destitute
Customer of a prostitute	John
Death rate	Morality rate
Customer	Patron, Guest
Boarder	Paying Guest
Secondhand car, used car	Pre-owned car
Public toilet	Restroom, Amenity center, Comfort station
Lie	Stretch the truth
Destitute, poor	Underprivileged
Kill	Marginalize
Handicapped	Physically challenged

I am sure you will have many more such substitutes which you use in formal environment. Share them with all by commenting below.

Tags: definition, euphemisms

Verbal Ability Sample Questions

Verbal Ability Sample Questions- Directions for next 3 verbal ability sample questions: In each question, there are four sentences. Each sentence has pairs of words/phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words/phrases, select the most appropriate words/phrases to form correct sentences. Then from the options given below choose the best alternative.

1. The cricket council that was[A]/were[B] elected last March is[A]/are[B] at sixes and
sevens over new rules.
The critics censored[A]/censured[B] the new movie because of it’s social
unacceptability.
Amit’s explanation for missing the meeting was credulous[A]/credible[B].
She coughed discreetly[A]/discretly[B] to announce her presence.
a) BBAAA
b) AAABA
c)BBBBA
d)AABBA
e)BBBAA

2. The further[A]/farther[B] he pushed himself, the more disillusioned he grew.
For the crowds it was more of a historical[A]/historic[B] event; for their leader, it was just another day.
The old man has a healthy distrust[A]/mistrust[B] for all new technology.
This film is based on a real[A]/true[B] story.
One suspects that the compliment[A]/complement[B] was backhanded. (
a)BABAB
b)ABBBA
c)BAABA
d)BBAAB
e)ABABA

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Tags: Sample verbal ability questions, Verbal ability, Verbal Ability Questions, Verbal Ability Sample Questions

Verbal Questions

Directions for questions next 5 Verbal Questions: Sentences given in each verbal question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. The first and last sentences are 1 and 6, and the four in-between are labeled A, B, C and D. Choose the most logical order of these four sentences from among the four given choices to construct a coherent paragraph from sentences 1 to 6.

1. [1] India’s experience of industrialization is characteristic of the difficulties faced by a newly independent developing country.
A. In 1947, India was undoubtedly an under-developed country with one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world.
B. Indian industrialization was the result of a conscious, deliberate policy of growth by an indigenous political elite.
C. Today India ranks fifth in the international community of nations if measured in terms of purchasing power.
D. Even today, however, the benefits of Indian industrialization since independence have not reached the masses.
6. Industrialization in India has been a limited success; one more example of growth without development.
a. CDAB
b. DCBA
c. CABD
d. BACD
e. ABCD

2. [1] The necessity for regional integration in South Asia is underlined by the very history of the last 45 years since the liquidation of the British empire in this part of the world.
A. After the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan was formed in that very area which the imperial powers had always marked out as the potential base for operations against the Russian power in Central Asia.
B. Because of the disunity and ill-will among the South Asian neighbours, particularly India and Pakistan, great powers from outside the area could meddle into their affairs and thereby keep neighbours apart.
C. It needs to be added that it was the bountiful supply of sophisticated arms that emboldened Pakistan to go for warlike bellicosity towards India.
D. As a part of the cold war strategy of the US, Pakistan was sucked into Washington’s military alliance spreading over the years.
6. Internally too, it was the massive induction of American arms into Pakistan which empowered the military junta of that country to stub out the civilian government and destroy democracy in Pakistan.
a. ACBD
b. ABDC
c. CBAD
d. DCAB
e. BADC

3. [1] The success of any unit in a competitive environment depends on prudent management sources.
A. In this context, it would have been more appropriate, if the concept of accelerated depreciation, together with additional incentives towards capital allowances for recouping a portion of the cost of replacements out of the current generations, had been accepted.
B. Added to this are negligible retention of profits because of inadequate capital allowances and artificial disallowances of genuine outflows.
C. One significant cause for poor generation of surpluses is the high cost of capital and its servicing cost.
D. The lack of a mechanism in Indian tax laws for quick recovery of capital costs has not received its due attention.
6. While this may apparently look costly from the point of view of the exchequer, the ultimate cost to the government and the community in the form of losses suffered through poor viability will be prohibitive.
a. ADBC
b. BCDA
c. CBDA
d. DBAC
e. CBAD

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CAT Verbal Sample Questions

CAT Verbal Sample Questions- Directions for next 5 CAT Verbal Sample Questions: In each of the following CAT verbal sample questions, identify the sentences with errors and then mark the respective choice as your answer.

1. A. show me an intelligent woman in a house and I will show you an unhappy man in the same place.
B. they were charged for murder.
C. she was advised to lie in the bed for a week.
D. under-confident people have a problem with expressing themselves and portrayal of their true feelings.
(A) A and D
(B) C and A
(C) B and D
(D) B and A
(E) D and A

2. A. it is not only important to enthusiastic but also to feel it.
B. the reliance group has come up with a costumer-friendly scheme, for people who can’t pay the entire amount at one go.
C. Dora can’t go to the party tonight because she is studying for final examinations.
D. I understand your apprehensions regarding the new project.
(A) A and D
(B) B and C
(C) A and B
(D) D and C
(E) all of these

3. A. the quake-hit people worked hard to keep the dog from the door.
B. what are you referring to?
C. Three froths of the cake are been eaten.
D. the majority believes that a male child is better than a female.
(A) Only A
(B) A, B and D
(C) A and D
(D) only D
(E) A and C

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Sample Verbal Questions

Sample Verbal Questions- Direction for next 2 Sample Verbal Questions: Each verbal question below contains six statements followed by four sets of combinations of three; Choose the set in which the statement are logically related.

1. A. Final year students would like a good career.
B. All final year students are eligible as candidates for MBA entrance examination.
C. Final year students are eligible for a good career.
D. Some of those who are candidates for an MBA entrance examination are final year students.
E. All those eligible as candidates for an MBA entrance examination are eligible for a good career.
F. All those who would like a good career are entitled to it.
a. AEF
b. EBC
c. BCF
d. CDF
e. None of these

2. A. All bright people acknowledge brains in others.
B. Some knowledgeable men are bright.
C. Some knowledgeable men do not acknowledge brains in others.
D. Some knowledgeable men are persons who are bright.

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Easy Verbal Ability Questions

easy-verbal-ability-questions- Directions for next 5 Easy Verbal Ability Questions: In each of the easy verbal ability questions, four different ways of presenting an idea are given. Choose the one that conforms most closely to standard English usage.

1.  A. We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.
B. We are forced to falling back on the fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.
C. We are forced to fall back on fatalism as explanations of irrational events.
D. We are forced to fall back to fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.
[1] A
[2] B
[3] C
[4] D
[5] None

2. A. Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable for itself but also as a service to the nation.
B. Creativity in any field is not regarded only as valuable on its own, but also as a service to the nation.
C. Creativity, in any field, is not only regarded as valuable, but also as a service to the nation.
D. Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable in itself but also as a service to the nation.
[1] A
[2] B
[3] C
[4] D
[5] None

3. A. The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something that somebody else sold to somebody else for more than its cost.
B. The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to make something that
somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.
C. The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to sell something that somebody else made for more than it cost.
D. The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something else that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.
[1] A
[2] B
[3] C
[4] D
[5] None

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Tags: Easy Verbal Ability Questions, Sample verbal ability questions, Verbal Ability Questions

Verbal Questions For CAT

Verbal Questions For CAT- Directions for next 3 CAT Verbal Questions: In each of the following cat verbal questions, a capitalized pair of words is given, followed by numbered pairs of words. Identify the numbered pair that exhibits the same relationship as the capitalized pair does and mark its number as your answer or choose E if none of them satisfies.

1. DEMURE: CHURL
(A) Hare-brained: savant
(B) Soothing: emollient
(C) Venal: greenery
(D) Diabolic: hoodoo
(E) None of these

2. PREJUDICIAL: INNOCUOUS
(A) Vertiginous: latitudinal
(B) Sybaritic: ascetic
(C) Diehard: bumptious
(D) Quotidian: quixotic
(E) None of these

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Sample Verbal Questions

Sample Verbal Questions- Directions for next 5 sample verbal questions: For each of the verbal questions given below select the best option from the answers given.

1. In 1988, 50 people with emotional disturbances underwent hypnosis to be cured of their mood swings. A follow up survey in 1993 revealed that five had fairly stable emotional conditions at the time of the survey. These five subjects can therefore serve as models of the types of people for whom hypnosis is likely to be successful. Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the suitability of those five subjects as models in the sense described?
(A) The five subjects have very different personalities and backgrounds.
(B) Since 1988, the five subjects have experienced dramatic mood swings interspersed with periods of relative stability.
(C) Those people who were still suffering from unstable emotional conditions at the time of the 1993 survey had shown no improvement since 1988.
(D) Many psychologists are less concerned about a patient’s mood swings than about the patient’s willingness to express his or her problems and fears.
(E) The emotional condition of most of the 45 subjects who were still unstable at the time of the 1993 survey had actually worsened since 1988.

2. The cause of the peculiar columnar growth pattern displayed by junipers growing near burning underground veins of lignite coal has never been convincingly explained. Until recently, the accepted theory posited that the abundance of carbon monoxide in the local atmosphere caused the columnar growth. However, a new theory holds that the cause is the persistent heat present near these underground fires which, while not intense enough to inflame the trees, can nonetheless change their normal growth pattern.
The existence of which of the following would provide the strongest support for the new theory?
(A) A columnar juniper growing in an atmosphere of intense heat and an absence of carbon monoxide
(B) A normal juniper growing in an atmosphere of intense heat and an absence of carbon monoxide
(C) A columnar juniper growing in an atmosphere of normal heat and a high concentration of carbon monoxide
(D) A normal juniper growing in an atmosphere of intense heat and a high concentration of carbon monoxide
(E) A columnar juniper growing in an atmosphere of intense heat and a high concentration of carbon monoxide

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Tags: CAT verbal Questions, sample verbal questions, verbal questions, verbal questions for cat