DU LLB Entrance English Language and Comprehension Syllabus

English Language and Comprehension syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English Language and Comprehension in DU LLB Entrance, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Reading Comprehension

   3 topics

   • Comprehension of Unseen Passages
     • Main idea, theme and title
     • Inference and tone identification
   • Vocabulary in Context
     • Meaning of words and phrases in passages
     • Contextual usage
   • Legal and Analytical Passages
     • Argument-based reading
     • Author's assumption and conclusion
2. 2

   Vocabulary

   4 topics

   • Synonyms and Antonyms
     • Word meaning and shades of meaning
   • Idioms and Phrases
     • Common idioms and their usage
     • Phrasal verbs
   • One-Word Substitution and Spellings
     • Single-word replacements
     • Commonly confused and misspelt words
   • Foreign and Legal Words in English
     • Latin and legal expressions in common use
3. 3

   Grammar and Usage

   4 topics

   • Parts of Speech and Sentence Structure
     • Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs
     • Subject-verb agreement
   • Tenses, Voice and Narration
     • Tense usage and sequence
     • Active-passive and direct-indirect speech
   • Articles, Prepositions and Conjunctions
     • Correct usage and common errors
   • Error Detection and Sentence Correction
     • Spotting grammatical errors
     • Improving sentences
4. 4

   Verbal Ability and Sentence Skills

   3 topics

   • Sentence Rearrangement
     • Para jumbles and coherent ordering
   • Fill in the Blanks
     • Single and double blanks
     • Cloze test
   • Sentence Completion and Connectors
     • Logical sentence completion
     • Use of connectors and transitions

English Language and Comprehension flashcards for DU LLB Entrance

19 of 50 cards from the English Language and Comprehension deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In reading comprehension, what is the difference between 'skimming' and 'scanning'?

   Skimming is reading quickly to grasp the main idea or gist of a passage; scanning is searching rapidly for a specific piece of information (a name, date, or keyword).

2. What is meant by the 'tone' of a passage, and name three common tones tested in comprehension.

   Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject conveyed through word choice. Common tones: critical, sarcastic/ironic, objective/neutral, optimistic, pessimistic, persuasive, humorous.

3. In comprehension, what is the difference between the 'main idea' and a 'supporting detail'?

   The main idea is the central point the whole passage develops; a supporting detail is a fact, example, or reason that backs up or illustrates the main idea.

4. What does it mean to 'infer' something in a comprehension passage?

   To infer is to draw a logical conclusion based on evidence and reasoning in the text, even though it is not stated directly.

5. When answering vocabulary-in-context questions, what should you rely on to determine a word's meaning?

   The surrounding sentence and passage context (clues such as definitions, examples, contrasts, and the overall sense) rather than the word's most common dictionary meaning.

6. In legal/analytical passages, what is the distinction between the 'ratio' of an argument and an 'illustration'?

   The ratio is the core reasoning or principle on which a conclusion rests; an illustration is merely an example used to clarify or apply that reasoning.

7. What is an 'assumption' in an analytical passage, and how does it differ from a stated premise?

   An assumption is an unstated belief the argument takes for granted as true to reach its conclusion; a stated premise is explicitly given in the text.

8. Define a synonym and give a synonym for 'abate'.

   A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another. A synonym for 'abate' is 'diminish' / 'subside' / 'lessen'.

9. Define an antonym and give the antonym of 'benevolent'.

   An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another. The antonym of 'benevolent' (kind) is 'malevolent' / 'cruel'.

10. What is the antonym of 'candid'?

    'Evasive' / 'deceitful' / 'guarded' (candid means frank and honest).

11. Give the meaning and a synonym of the word 'ephemeral'.

    Ephemeral means lasting a very short time. Synonym: transient / fleeting / momentary.

12. What is the meaning of the idiom 'to bury the hatchet'?

    To make peace; to end a quarrel or conflict and become friendly again.

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

    Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but results in something good.

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

    To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.

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

    Very rarely; almost never.

16. What does the phrase 'to beat around the bush' mean?

    To avoid coming to the main point; to speak indirectly or evasively.

17. Give the one-word substitution for 'a person who does not believe in the existence of God'.

    Atheist.

18. What is the one-word substitution for 'a government run by religious leaders / in the name of God'?

    Theocracy.

19. What is the one-word substitution for 'one who studies the meaning of words'? (and for 'a place where money is coined')

    Semanticist (study of word meaning); a place where money is coined is a 'mint'.

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