Tips for the verbal test
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Before looking at the answer choices, try to establish a precise relationship between the words in the given pair. It is usually helpful to express that relationship in a phrase or sentence. Next, look for the answer choice with the pair of words whose relationship is closest to that of the given pair and can be expressed in a similar fashion.
Occasionally, more than one of the answer choices may seem at first to express a relationship similar to that of the given pair. Try to state the relationship more precisely or identify some aspect of the relationship between the given pair of words that is paralleled in only one choice pair.
Remember that a single word can have several different meanings. Check to be sure you have not overlooked a possible second mening of one of the words.
Never decide on the best answer without reading all the answer choices.
Practice recognizing and formulating relationships between word pairs.
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Remember that you are looking for the word that is the most nearly opposite to the given word; you are not looking for a synonim. Since many words do not have a precise opposite, you must look for the answer choices that expresses a concept most nearly opposite to the given word.
In some cases more than one of the answer choices may appear at first to be opposite to the given word. Questions that require you to make fine distinctions among two or more answer choices are best handled by defining more precisely or in greater detail the meaning of the given word.
It is often useful, in weighting answer choices, to make up a sentence using the given word or words. Substituting the answer choices in the phrase or sentence and seeing which best "fits", in that it reverses the meaning or tone of the sentence or phrase, may help you in determing the best answer.
Remember that a particular word can have more than one meaning.
Use your knowledge of root, prefix, and suffix meanings to help you determine the meanings of words with which you are not entirely familiar.
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Read the entire incomplete sentence carefully before you consider the answer choices. Be sure you understand the ideas expressed and examine the sentence for possible indications of tone (irony, humor, and the like).
Before reading the answer choices, you may find it helpful to fill in the blanks with a word or words of your own that complete the meaning of the sentence. Then examine the answer choices to see if any of them parallels your own completion of the sentence.
Pay attention to grammatical clues in the sentence. For example, words like although and nevertheless indicate that some qualification os opposition is taking place in the sentence, whereas moreover implies an intensification or support of some idea in the sentence.
If a sentence has two blanks, be sure that both parts of your answer choice fit logically and stylistically into the sentence.
When you have to choose an answer, read the complete sentence through to check that it has acquired a logically and stylistically satisfying meaning.
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Since reading passages are drawn from many different disciplines and sources, you should not expect to be familiar with the material in all the passages. However, you should not be discouraged by encountering material with which you are not familiar; questions are to be answered on the basis of the information provided in the passage, and you are not expected to rely on outside. knowledge, which you may or may not have, of a particular topic.
Whatever strategy you choose, you should analyze the passage carefully before answering the questions. As with any kind of close and thoughtful reading, you should be sensitive to clues that will help you understand less explicit aspects of the passage. Try to sepparate main ideas from supporting ideas or evidence; try also to sepparate the author's own ideas or attitudes from information he or she is simply presenting. It is important to note transitions from one idea to the next and to examine the relationships among the different ideas or parts of the passage. For example, are they contrasting? Are they complementary? You should consider both the points the author makes and the conclusions he or she draws and also how and why those point are made or conclusions drawn.
Read each question carefully and be certain that you understand exactly what is being asked.
Always read all the answer choices before selecting the best answer.
The best answer is the one that most accurately and most completely answers the question being posed. Be careful not to pick an answer choice simply because is a true statement; be careful also not to be misled by answer choices that are only partially true or only partially satisfy the problem posed in the question.
Answer all the questions on the basis of the information provided in the passage and do not rely on outside knowledge. your own views or opinions may sometimes conflict with the views expressed or the information provided in the passage; be sure that you work within the context provided by the passage. You should not expect to agree with everything you encounter in reading passages.
