Sentence Completion

http://catathon.blogspot.com

Presents

Verbal Ability for

CAT 2009

Sentence Correction

Complete the following sentence… 

Despite the supposedly primitive lifestyle, Australian aborigines developed the boomerang, a ________ and _________ hunting tool that maximizes gain with minimum effort. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

Method: Steps to follow 

What are the ideas in the sentence?



Think of a word that makes sense in the blank



Scan the choices



Reread the word in the blank



Compare if the word expected by you matches what you arrived at

Important Note:

Do NOT start by substituting the choices in the given statement

Types of Sentences 

These are similar to types of paragraphs and also fewer in number  Cause

and effect

 Reiteration  Similarity  Contrast

or Restatement/Parallelism

or support

Cause and Effect 

Sentences are of type: A

because B  B, Hence A  A as a result of B  B thus A  B leading to A

B

therefore A  B causes A  A due to B  B, consequently A  Because of B,A

Cause and Effect 

A is the result of the action B  Humans

have destroyed the forest cover and hence ensued global warming

 

A -> Global Warming was caused due to B -> Destruction of forest cover

Example 

Because of the power and recognition that go with public office, incumbent politicians have enormous____________ when waging election campaigns against outside challengers. (1) difficulties (2) expenses (3) advantages (4) budgets (5) concerns

Solution 

Because of the power and recognition that go with public office, incumbent politicians have enormous_advantages_ when waging election campaigns against outside challengers. (1) difficulties (2) expenses (3) advantages (4) budgets (5) concerns

Reiteration or Restatement/Parallelism These sentences have 2 ideas. One idea restates or clarifies the other.    

A in fact B A in other words B A and B A likewise B

  

A namely B A surely B A that is B

Here A and B are similar in meaning, sometimes even synonyms.

Example 

He was the most ______ person we had ever met, in fact his magnanimity knew no limits.  Magnanimous

means being generous or

noble.  So, the blank can be filled with words like generous, noble, charitable, benevolent etc…

Example 

Biologists have often gained special insights by examining the life forms that develop in _________ regions, as illustrated by Darwin’s studies of evolution among the finches on certain __________ Pacific islands. (1) arid … lush (2) harsh … tropical (3) typical … unusual (4) crowded …deserted (5) isolated … remote

Solution 

The words “as illustrated by” indicates that Darwin’s study supports that of the biologists .



So, the words need to support each other. (1) arid … lush  Antonyms (2) harsh … tropical  this might be possible (3) typical … unusual  Not in context (4) crowded …deserted  Antonyms (5) isolated … remote  isolated must imply remoteness



Answer is (5)

Similarity or Support 

The sentences are similar to parallelism type.



It is alright to not be able to distinguish between the previous type and this type as the logic remains the same.



CAT does not ask you which type of sentence a particular sentence is 

Similarity or Support 

Sentences of this type have the words: A

likewise B  Just as A, similarly B  A like B  For instance  Furthermore  As , same, such as, also  Resemblance

Example 

Just as television surpassed radio, it seems internet will eventually ________ television. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Invigorate Alter Eliminate Supplant

Solution   

“Just as” implies similarity Look for synonym of/similar word to the word “surpass” Here,    

 

Invigorate -> Antonym Alter -> Similar but not quite Eliminate -> possible answer – eliminate means to remove Supplant -> possible answer – supplant means to replace

As eliminate is a very drastic word, supplant is the more appropriate answer. Answer is (4)

Contrast  

Opposite of the previous type Sentences show differences/contrast between two ideas



Sentences have the words:



Although Despite In spite of However Against As opposed to

    

     

On the other hand Surprisingly Unlike In contrast Rather Even though

Example 

In a large group of people consisting of strangers, Aish often seemed ____ and aloof, although among her friends. She was quite ____.    

Reticent – Convival Gregarious - Outgoing Detrimental - Multifarous Unattainable - Taciturn

Solution 

The words need to indicate opposite behaviour

   



Reticent = silent convivial = friendly Gregarious = talkative Outgoing = extrovert Detrimental = causing downfall of Multifarious = diverse Unattainable = unreachable Taciturn = silent

Clearly, only option 1 is right.

How do you solve this? 

Despite the supposedly primitive lifestyle, Australian aborigines developed the boomerang, a ________ and _________ hunting tool that maximizes gain with minimum effort. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

How do you solve this?  

Despite implies opposite or contrast . So, one word needs to be opposite of “primitive”. “that maximizes gain with minimum effort” implies the other word must be the word meaning the same.



Primitive X Modern



That maximizes gain with minimum effort = efficient



Looking for similar words to modern and efficient. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

http://catathon.blogspot.com

THANK YOU