Verbal Ability with Shortcut tricks

Introduction

Verbal Ability is a crucial section in competitive exams like SSC, IBPS, SBI, UPSC, CAT, and other government or management entrance tests. It assesses a candidate's proficiency in English language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. To ace this section, aspirants need a solid understanding of concepts, along with shortcut tricks to solve questions quickly and accurately.
In this article, we will explore 20 types of Verbal Ability questions commonly asked in competitive exams, along with detailed explanations and shortcut tricks to solve them efficiently.

20 Types of Verbal Ability Questions with Examples and Shortcut Tricks

1. Reading Comprehension
Example: Read the passage and answer the questions based on it.
Shortcut Trick:
- Skim through the passage quickly.
- Focus on keywords and main ideas.
- Read the questions before reading the passage to locate answers efficiently.

2. Cloze Test
Example: A paragraph with missing words, where candidates choose the correct words to fill the blanks.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify the context of the passage.
- Look at grammatical cues and collocations.
- Eliminate incorrect options based on logic and grammar.

3. Error Spotting
Example: Identify the grammatical error in a given sentence.
Shortcut Trick:
- Check for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and pronoun usage.
- Break the sentence into parts for easier analysis.
- Look for commonly confused words (e.g., affect/effect, their/there/they’re).

4. Sentence Correction
Example: A sentence with an underlined part that needs correction.
Shortcut Trick:
- Read the full sentence carefully.
- Check for grammatical and structural errors.
- Apply elimination techniques to discard wrong options.

5. Para Jumbles
Example: Rearrange jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify the opening sentence.
- Look for pronouns and linking words.
- Maintain logical flow by arranging sentences based on chronology or cause-effect relationships.

6. Sentence Rearrangement
Example: Arrange words in the correct order to form a meaningful sentence.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify the subject, verb, and object.
- Use contextual understanding to form a meaningful sentence.

7. Word Swap
Example: A sentence where certain words need to be interchanged to correct the meaning.
Shortcut Trick:
- Understand the meaning of each word.
- Swap words logically to make the sentence meaningful.

8. Word Rearrangement
Example: Rearranging the given set of words to form a meaningful sentence.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify key words such as subject and verb.
- Check for logical flow in sentence construction.

9. One Word Substitution
Example: Replace a given phrase with a single word.
Shortcut Trick:
- Memorize commonly asked one-word substitutions.
- Relate words to their meanings through mnemonics.

10. Idioms and Phrases
Example: Choose the correct meaning of an idiom or phrase used in a sentence.
Shortcut Trick:
- Learn idioms with their meanings through real-life examples.
- Use flashcards for quick revision.

11. Synonyms and Antonyms
Example: Choose the word closest or opposite in meaning to the given word.
Shortcut Trick:
- Build vocabulary through reading and word lists.
- Use word roots and prefixes/suffixes to guess meanings.

12. Spelling Errors
Example: Identify the misspelled word from a given set.
Shortcut Trick:
- Learn commonly misspelled words.
- Break words into syllables to check correct spelling.

13. Active and Passive Voice
Example: Convert sentences from active to passive voice and vice versa.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify the subject, verb, and object.
- Apply standard conversion rules for voice change.

14. Direct and Indirect Speech
Example: Convert direct speech into indirect speech and vice versa.
Shortcut Trick:
- Memorize reporting verb rules.
- Check for tense consistency.

15. Sentence Completion
Example: Choose the correct word/phrase to complete a sentence meaningfully.
Shortcut Trick:
- Read the sentence carefully.
- Look for contextual clues.

16. Column-Based Questions
Example: Match words or phrases from two columns to form meaningful sentences.
Shortcut Trick:
- Find logical connections between columns.
- Eliminate improbable pairs.

17. Sentence Improvement
Example: Choose the best way to improve a given sentence.
Shortcut Trick:
- Focus on grammar, clarity, and conciseness.
- Use elimination to remove incorrect options.

18. Odd One Out
Example: Identify the word or phrase that does not belong to a set.
Shortcut Trick:
- Look for similarities in meaning or category.
- The odd word will not fit the pattern.

19. Fill in the Blanks
Example: Choose the best word to fill in the blank space.
Shortcut Trick:
- Identify the required part of speech.
- Use contextual understanding for correct word choice.

20. Homophones and Confusing Words
Example: Identify the correct usage of homophones like their/there/they’re.
Shortcut Trick:
- Understand meaning differences.
- Practice through examples and sentence usage.

Final Tips for Success

- Practice Regularly: Solve mock tests and previous year papers.
- Time Management: Use a timer while solving questions to enhance speed.
- Build Vocabulary: Read newspapers and books to strengthen vocabulary.
- Use Mnemonics: Memorization tricks help retain complex words and rules.
- Stay Updated: Keep learning new words, idioms, and grammar rules.

FAQs

Question: How can I improve my Verbal Ability for competitive exams?
Answer: Regular practice, reading newspapers, using mnemonic techniques, and solving mock tests can significantly improve your verbal ability.

Question: What is the best way to tackle Reading Comprehension questions?
Answer: Skim the passage first, focus on keywords, and read the questions before reading the passage to locate answers efficiently.

Question: Are there any books recommended for Verbal Ability preparation?
Answer: Yes, books like "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis and "Objective English" by S.P. Bakshi are highly recommended.

Question: How much time should I dedicate to Verbal Ability preparation daily?
Answer: At least 1-2 hours daily, with a focus on reading, vocabulary, and solving practice questions.

Question: How can I memorize difficult words easily?
Answer: Use mnemonic techniques, associate words with images, and practice through flashcards and quizzes.

Conclusion

Mastering Verbal Ability requires a blend of understanding concepts, regular practice, and applying shortcut tricks for quick problem-solving. By using the techniques mentioned above, you can improve accuracy and speed in competitive exams. Start practicing today, and boost your score in the Verbal Ability section!
High-Difficulty Verbal Ability MCQs for CAT, SSC, BANK, UPSC & Competitive Exams

Verbal Ability Multiple choice questions

1. Sentence Correction:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "Despite of his hard work, he failed to secure a rank in the examination."
a) Despite of
b) his hard work
c) he failed to secure
d) No error
Answer: a

2. Cloze Test:

Question: Fill in the blank: The government’s efforts to ________ inflation have largely been successful.
a) exacerbate
b) curtail
c) forsake
d) hinder
Answer: b

3. Para Jumble:

Question: Arrange the following sentences in a logical order: P: The more one studies, the more one learns. Q: Learning is a lifelong process. R: Those who think they know everything are mistaken. S: Knowledge has no bounds.
a) QSPR
b) QPRS
c) PQRS
d) SQPR
Answer: a

4. Fill in the Blanks:

Question: The judge was known for his ________ decisions, which made him respected among his peers.
a) arbitrary
b) equitable
c) biased
d) dubious
Answer: b

5. Word Swap:

Question: Find the correctly arranged sentence after swapping the incorrect words: "The committee was indifferent (A) to the plight (B) of the refugees and failed to excite (C) them with adequate aid (D)."
a) Swap A and C
b) Swap B and D
c) Swap C and D
d) No swapping required
Answer: a

6. Sentence Rearrangement:

Question: Rearrange the given sentence correctly: "The scientist with a remarkable discovery, stunned (A) the world (B) when he announced (C) the cure for the disease (D)."
a) A-B-C-D
b) B-D-C-A
c) C-B-D-A
d) D-B-C-A
Answer: c

7. One-Word Substitution:

Question: A person who studies the origin and history of words:
a) Philologist
b) Anthropologist
c) Numismatist
d) Paleontologist
Answer: a

8. Error Spotting:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "No sooner I reached the station than the train left."
a) No sooner
b) I reached
c) the station than
d) No error
Answer: a

9. Sentence Completion:

Question: The manager was fired because he was caught ________ company funds.
a) misappropriating
b) exaggerating
c) inheriting
d) utilizing
Answer: a

10. Word Rearrangement:

Question: Identify the correct arrangement of the words: "The (A) in the (B) eclipse (C) sky darkened (D)."
a) A-B-C-D
b) C-B-D-A
c) D-C-B-A
d) C-D-B-A
Answer: d

11. Idioms and Phrases:

Question: Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: "Bite the bullet."
a) To face a difficult situation bravely
b) To avoid a problem
c) To overreact unnecessarily
d) To hesitate in making a decision
Answer: a

12. Synonyms:

Question: Choose the synonym of "Ephemeral."
a) Permanent
b) Transitory
c) Enduring
d) Everlasting
Answer: b 

13. Antonyms:

Question: Choose the antonym of "Obstinate."
a) Stubborn
b) Yielding
c) Uncompromising
d) Adamant
Answer: b

14. Sentence Improvement:

Question: Choose the correct alternative to improve the underlined part: "He is working hard lest he may fail in the exam."
a) might fail
b) should fail
c) could fail
d) No improvement
Answer: b

15. Sentence Correction:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "Each of the students in the class were given a certificate."
a) Each of the students
b) in the class
c) were given
d) No error
Answer: c

16. Cloze Test:

Question: Fill in the blank: "The scientist’s groundbreaking discovery _______ the way for future research in the field."
a) closed
b) paved
c) obstructed
d) demolished
Answer: b

17. Para Jumble:

Question: Arrange the following sentences logically:
P: She was one of the best-known writers of her time.
Q: Jane Austen was born in 1775.
R: Her novels continue to be widely read even today.
S: She wrote several well-received novels, including "Pride and Prejudice."
a) QSPR
b) QPSR
c) PQSR
d) SQRP
Answer: a

18. Fill in the Blanks:

Question: She showed great _______ in handling the crisis and managed to calm everyone.
a) audacity
b) composure
c) hostility
d) rigidity
Answer: b

19. Word Swap:

Question: Find the correct sentence after swapping incorrect words: "The manager was known for his pragmatic (A) approach, but his colleagues accused (B) him of being too efficiency (C) driven at times (D)."
a) Swap A and C
b) Swap B and D
c) Swap C and D
d) No swapping required
Answer: a

20. Error Spotting:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "Scarcely had he entered the room when he was greeted by applause."
a) Scarcely had he
b) entered the room
c) when he was greeted
d) No error
Answer: d

21. Sentence Correction:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "Neither of the two brothers are interested in sports."
a) Neither of the two
b) brothers are
c) interested in sports
d) No error
Answer: b

22. Cloze Test:

Question: Fill in the blank: "Despite his repeated failures, he remained _______ and never gave up on his dreams."
a) resolute
b) complacent
c) apprehensive
d) indifferent
Answer: a

23. Para Jumble:

Question: Arrange the following sentences logically:
P: It allows individuals to make informed choices.
Q: Education is essential for personal and social growth.
R: It also helps in building a strong and progressive society.
S: An educated population contributes positively to the economy.
a) QPRS
b) QPSR
c) PQRS
d) SRQP
Answer: a

24. Fill in the Blanks:

Question: The new policy will _______ economic growth in the coming years.
a) impede
b) foster
c) dismantle
d) complicate
Answer: b

25. Word Swap:

Question: Find the correct sentence after swapping incorrect words: "The artist’s unique (A) style was evident in his intricate (B) paintings, which vividly (C) displayed his dull (D) imagination."
a) Swap A and C
b) Swap B and D
c) Swap C and D
d) No swapping required
Answer: c

26. Sentence Correction:

Question: Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: "Each of the students in the class were given an assignment to complete by next week."
a) Each of the students
b) in the class
c) were given
d) No error
Answer: c

27. Cloze Test:

Question: Fill in the blank: "The company’s decision to cut jobs was met with widespread _______ from employees."
a) acclaim
b) criticism
c) indifference
d) approval
Answer: b

28. Para Jumble:

Question: Arrange the following sentences logically:
P: These challenges include economic instability and climate change.
Q: The world is facing numerous challenges today. R: Many leaders are working together to find solutions.
S: Addressing these issues requires international cooperation.
a) QPSR
b) PQRS
c) QPRS
d) SRQP
Answer: a

29. Fill in the Blanks:

Question: The athlete’s rigorous training regimen _______ him to break the national record.
a) enabled
b) prevented
c) hindered
d) discouraged
Answer: a

30. Word Swap:

Question: Find the correct sentence after swapping incorrect words: "The scientist’s theory was widely debated (A), but his peers refused (B) to accept it without verifiable (C) evidence of its validity (D)."
a) Swap A and B
b) Swap C and D
c) Swap B and D
d) No swapping required
Answer: d