CSS English Precis and Composition Vocabulary Syllabus

Define the moderate-difficulty word 'ambiguous' and give a one-word synonym.

'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation; unclear. Synonym: vague (or equivocal).

Define the moderate-difficulty word 'tenacious' and give a one-word synonym.

'Tenacious' means holding firmly to a purpose; persistent. Synonym: persistent (or determined).

Define the moderate-difficulty word 'candour' and give a one-word synonym.

'Candour' means the quality of being open and honest. Synonym: frankness (or sincerity).

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'affect' and 'effect'.

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence ('The rain affected turnout'); 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result ('The rain had an effect on turnout'). As a verb, 'effect' means to bring about ('effect change').

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'principal' and 'principle'.

'Principal' means chief/most important, or the head of a school ('the principal reason'); 'principle' is a noun meaning a fundamental rule or belief ('a man of principle').

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'stationary' and 'stationery'.

'Stationary' means not moving ('a stationary car'); 'stationery' refers to writing materials such as paper and envelopes.

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'complement' and 'compliment'.

'Complement' means something that completes or goes well with ('wine complements the meal'); 'compliment' means an expression of praise ('she paid him a compliment').

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'discreet' and 'discrete'.

'Discreet' means careful and tactful in speech or behaviour; 'discrete' means separate and distinct (as in 'discrete categories').

Explain the difference between the commonly confused pair 'elicit' and 'illicit'.

'Elicit' is a verb meaning to draw out a response ('elicit a reply'); 'illicit' is an adjective meaning illegal or forbidden ('illicit trade').

Explain the difference between 'imply' and 'infer', then show correct usage of each.

'Imply' means to suggest something without stating it (the speaker implies); 'infer' means to deduce from evidence (the listener infers). Usage: 'He implied I was late; I inferred he was annoyed.'

Use the word 'meticulous' correctly in a sentence.

'The examiner was meticulous, checking every figure twice before recording the result.'

Use the word 'inevitable' correctly in a sentence.

'Given the rising costs, a price increase became inevitable.'

Use the word 'scrutinize' correctly in a sentence.

'The committee will scrutinize each application to detect any errors.'

Use the word 'eloquent' correctly in a sentence.

'Her eloquent speech moved the entire audience to applause.'

What does the idiom 'a blessing in disguise' mean?

Something that seems bad or unfortunate at first but results in a good outcome later.

What does the idiom 'to bite the bullet' mean?

To force oneself to do something unpleasant or difficult that cannot be avoided.

What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?

Very rarely; almost never.

What does the idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?

To reveal a secret, usually carelessly or by mistake.

What does the idiom 'to add fuel to the fire' mean?

To do or say something that makes a bad or tense situation even worse.

What does the idiom 'to turn a blind eye' mean?

To deliberately ignore something wrong or that one does not wish to acknowledge.

What does the idiom 'to cost an arm and a leg' mean?

To be extremely expensive.

What does the proverb 'A stitch in time saves nine' mean?

Dealing with a problem promptly, before it grows, prevents much greater trouble or effort later.

What does the proverb 'Necessity is the mother of invention' mean?

Difficult situations and pressing needs drive people to find creative solutions and inventions.

What does the proverb 'A rolling stone gathers no moss' mean?

A person who keeps moving or changing, never settling, fails to accumulate wealth, status, or responsibilities (interpreted either as a caution or as praise of freedom).

What does the proverb 'Barking dogs seldom bite' mean?

People who make the loudest threats are usually the least likely to act on them.

What does the proverb 'Make hay while the sun shines' mean, and give an example of its usage.

It means make the most of favourable conditions while they last. Usage: 'Sales are booming this season, so we should make hay while the sun shines and expand now.'

Complete the idiomatic expression and give its meaning: 'to be in the same ___' (about shared difficulty).

'To be in the same boat' — to be in the same difficult or unfortunate situation as others.

Use the idiom 'to break the ice' correctly in context and state its meaning.

Meaning: to do or say something to relieve initial tension and start a conversation. Context: 'He told a light joke to break the ice at the start of the interview.'

Use the idiom 'to read between the lines' correctly in context and state its meaning.

Meaning: to understand a hidden or implied meaning not directly stated. Context: 'Reading between the lines of her polite reply, I sensed she was actually annoyed.'

Use the idiom 'to beat around the bush' correctly in context and state its meaning.

Meaning: to avoid coming to the point and speak evasively. Context: 'Stop beating around the bush and tell me directly whether the report is ready.'