NTS NAT-ICS English (Verbal Reasoning) Syllabus

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

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

1. 1

   Sentence Completion

   3 topics

   • Single Blank Sentences
   • Double Blank Sentences
   • Contextual Vocabulary
2. 2

   Analogies

   2 topics

   • Relationship Types
   • Solving Analogy Questions
3. 3

   Synonyms

   3 topics

   • Common Synonym Sets
   • Root, Prefix and Suffix Clues
   • Eliminating Distractors
4. 4

   Antonyms

   3 topics

   • Direct Opposites
   • Degree and Shade of Meaning
   • Context-Based Antonyms
5. 5

   Reading Comprehension

   5 topics

   • Main Idea and Theme
   • Supporting Details
   • Inference and Conclusion
   • Author's Tone and Purpose
   • Vocabulary in Passage
6. 6

   Grammar and Usage

   4 topics

   • Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Tenses
   • Prepositions and Articles
   • Common Error Identification

English (Verbal Reasoning) flashcards for NTS NAT-ICS

23 of 51 cards from the English (Verbal Reasoning) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In a single-blank sentence completion question, what is the primary clue you must locate to determine the missing word?

   The 'signal' or 'key word' that establishes the logical relationship of the sentence (e.g., contrast, cause-effect, support), which tells you whether the blank agrees with or opposes the rest of the sentence.

2. What are the two broad directional relationships a single-blank sentence can set up between the blank and its context?

   Agreement/support (the blank continues the same idea) or contrast/opposition (the blank reverses the idea, often flagged by words like 'but,' 'although,' 'despite,' 'yet').

3. List three common contrast signal words that tell you the blank should oppose the rest of a sentence.

   'But,' 'although,' 'however,' 'despite,' 'yet,' 'nevertheless,' 'whereas,' 'on the contrary' (any three).

4. List three common support/continuation signal words in sentence completion.

   'And,' 'because,' 'since,' 'therefore,' 'thus,' 'consequently,' 'in addition,' 'moreover,' 'so' (any three).

5. What is the recommended first step before looking at the options in a single-blank sentence?

   Predict your own word (an 'anticipation' word) that logically fits the blank, then match it to the closest option—this prevents being misled by trap choices.

6. In a double-blank sentence, how should the two blanks be treated logically?

   As an interdependent pair: the relationship between the two blanks (parallel/same direction or opposite direction) must satisfy the sentence's logic, and BOTH words must fit for the answer to be correct.

7. In a double-blank question, if one of the two words in an option is clearly wrong, what should you do?

   Eliminate the entire option immediately—both blanks must be correct, so a single wrong word disqualifies the whole pair.

8. A useful tactic for double-blank questions is to solve the easier blank first. Why?

   Filling the blank with the stronger contextual clue lets you eliminate several options at once, narrowing the field before you tackle the harder blank.

9. What does 'contextual vocabulary' mean in verbal reasoning?

   Determining a word's intended meaning from how it is used in the surrounding sentence/passage, rather than from its dictionary definition in isolation—important for words with multiple meanings.

10. When a vocabulary word has several dictionary meanings, what determines the correct one in a sentence?

    The context: the surrounding words, tone, and logic of the sentence indicate which specific meaning the author intends.

11. Give an example of how context changes meaning using the word 'novel.'

    'A novel approach' means new/original (adjective), while 'reading a novel' means a book (noun)—context selects which sense applies.

12. In analogy questions, what is the fundamental task you must perform?

    Identify the precise relationship between the first pair of words, then find the answer pair that shares the exact same relationship in the same order.

13. What is the standard format of an analogy question, and how is it read?

    A : B :: C : D, read as 'A is to B as C is to D'—the colon means 'is to' and the double colon means 'as.'

14. Name four common relationship types tested in verbal analogies.

    Synonyms, antonyms, part-to-whole, cause-and-effect, worker-to-tool, category-to-member, object-to-function, degree of intensity (any four).

15. Describe the 'part-to-whole' analogy relationship with an example.

    One word is a component of the other; e.g., PETAL : FLOWER (a petal is part of a flower) or PAGE : BOOK.

16. Describe the 'cause-and-effect' analogy relationship with an example.

    The first word leads to or produces the second; e.g., FIRE : SMOKE or VIRUS : ILLNESS.

17. Describe the 'worker-to-tool' analogy relationship with an example.

    A person is paired with the instrument they use; e.g., PAINTER : BRUSH or CARPENTER : HAMMER.

18. Describe the 'object-to-function' analogy relationship with an example.

    A thing is paired with its purpose or use; e.g., KNIFE : CUT or PEN : WRITE.

19. Describe the 'degree of intensity' analogy relationship with an example.

    Two words on the same scale differing in strength; e.g., WARM : HOT or LIKE : ADORE (the second is a more intense version of the first).

20. Why does word order matter in analogies, and what should you do if all pairs share the relationship but in different directions?

    The relationship must run in the same direction for both pairs; if a candidate pair has the correct relationship but reversed, it is wrong—keep the order consistent (A:B must match C:D, not D:C).

21. What is the most reliable method for solving an analogy: build a 'bridge sentence.' What is it?

    A short sentence that precisely states the relationship between the first pair (e.g., 'A glove is worn on a HAND'), then tested against each option pair to find the one that fits identically.

22. Define a synonym.

    A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word (e.g., 'happy' and 'joyful').

23. Give a common synonym set for the word 'big.'

    Large, huge, enormous, immense, gigantic, vast, massive (any several).

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