NTS GAT-General Verbal Reasoning (English) Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning (English) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Verbal Reasoning (English) in NTS GAT-General, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Vocabulary

   5 topics

   • Synonyms
   • Antonyms
   • Prefixes and Suffixes
   • Word Analogies
   • Idioms and Phrases
2. 2

   Grammar

   5 topics

   • Tenses and Aspects
   • Parts of Speech
   • Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Conditional Sentences
   • Sentence Correction
3. 3

   Sentence Completion

   4 topics

   • Single Blank Sentences
   • Double Blank Sentences
   • Logical Word Choice in Context
   • Transition and Connector Words
4. 4

   Reading Comprehension

   6 topics

   • Identifying Main Ideas
   • Making Inferences
   • Topic Sentences and Titles
   • Linking Devices and Cohesion
   • Passage Types
   • Author's Tone and Purpose

Verbal Reasoning (English) flashcards for NTS GAT-General

25 of 50 cards from the Verbal Reasoning (English) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a synonym? Give an example.

   A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Example: 'happy' and 'joyful'.

2. What is an antonym? Give an example.

   An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning of another word. Example: 'hot' and 'cold'.

3. Provide a synonym and an antonym for the word 'abundant'.

   Synonym: plentiful/ample. Antonym: scarce/sparse.

4. What does the word 'benevolent' mean, and what is its antonym?

   Benevolent means kind and well-meaning. Antonym: malevolent (wishing harm).

5. Define a prefix and give the meaning of 'un-', 'pre-', and 're-'.

   A prefix is a letter group added to the start of a word to change its meaning. 'un-' = not/opposite; 'pre-' = before; 're-' = again/back.

6. Define a suffix and give the meaning of '-less', '-ful', and '-ment'.

   A suffix is added to the end of a word, often changing its part of speech. '-less' = without; '-ful' = full of; '-ment' = state/result of an action.

7. What do the prefixes 'mis-', 'dis-', and 'in-/im-' indicate?

   'mis-' = wrongly (misunderstand); 'dis-' = not/opposite (disagree); 'in-/im-' = not (incorrect, impossible).

8. What part of speech do the suffixes '-tion/-sion', '-ity', and '-ness' typically form?

   They form nouns: '-tion/-sion' (action/state, e.g. action), '-ity' (quality, e.g. ability), '-ness' (state, e.g. kindness).

9. How do you solve a word analogy of the form A : B :: C : D?

   Identify the relationship between A and B, then choose D so that C : D has the same relationship. Example: hot : cold :: up : down (antonyms).

10. In the analogy 'doctor : hospital :: teacher : ___', what is the answer and the relationship?

    Answer: school. Relationship: worker to workplace.

11. Name three common relationship types tested in word analogies.

    Synonyms/antonyms, part-to-whole (finger:hand), and worker-to-tool or cause-and-effect.

12. What is an idiom? Give an example with its meaning.

    An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words. Example: 'break the ice' means to start a conversation in a tense situation.

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

    Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.

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

    Something that happens very rarely.

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

    To endure a painful or difficult situation that is unavoidable, with courage.

16. Name the four aspects of the English tense system.

    Simple, Continuous (Progressive), Perfect, and Perfect Continuous.

17. What is the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense?

    Structure: have/has + past participle. Use: an action completed at an unspecified time or with a result in the present. Example: 'She has finished her work.'

18. What is the difference between the Past Simple and the Present Perfect?

    Past Simple refers to a finished action at a specific past time ('I saw him yesterday'). Present Perfect links a past action to now, with no specific time ('I have seen him').

19. What is the structure of the Past Continuous tense and when is it used?

    Structure: was/were + verb-ing. Used for an action in progress at a specific past moment, often interrupted. Example: 'I was reading when he called.'

20. What is the structure of the Future Perfect tense?

    will have + past participle. Use: an action that will be completed before a future point. Example: 'By 2030, she will have graduated.'

21. Name the eight parts of speech in English.

    Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.

22. What is the function of an adjective versus an adverb?

    An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun (a quick runner). An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (runs quickly).

23. What is a conjunction? Name the coordinating conjunctions.

    A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

24. What is a preposition? Give three examples.

    A preposition shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word, usually in time or place. Examples: in, on, at, under, between.

25. State the basic rule of subject-verb agreement.

    A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: 'He runs' / 'They run.'

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