NTS NAT-IE English (Verbal) Syllabus

English (Verbal) 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) in NTS NAT-IE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Sentence Completion

   3 topics

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

   Analogies

   2 topics

   • Word Relationship Types
   • Solving Analogy Questions
3. 3

   Synonyms

   3 topics

   • Core Vocabulary Building
   • Word Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
   • Choosing the Closest Meaning
4. 4

   Antonyms

   3 topics

   • Opposite Word Pairs
   • Degrees of Opposition
   • Context-Dependent Antonyms
5. 5

   Reading Comprehension

   5 topics

   • Main Idea and Theme
   • Inference and Implication
   • Author's Tone and Purpose
   • Detail and Fact Questions
   • Vocabulary in Context
6. 6

   Grammar and Usage

   4 topics

   • Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Tenses and Verb Forms
   • Prepositions and Articles
   • Common Grammatical Errors

English (Verbal) flashcards for NTS NAT-IE

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

1. In a single-blank sentence completion question, what is the first step you should take before looking at the answer choices?

   Read the entire sentence and predict your own word for the blank based on the sentence's meaning and tone, then match it to the closest option.

2. What is a 'signal word' in a single-blank sentence, and give two examples?

   A signal word indicates the logical direction of the sentence. Examples: contrast signals (but, although, however, yet) and continuation signals (and, because, therefore, moreover).

3. In sentence completion, what does a contrast signal word (e.g., 'but', 'however', 'although') tell you about the blank?

   It tells you the blank's meaning should oppose or reverse the idea in the other clause of the sentence.

4. In sentence completion, what does a continuation/support signal word (e.g., 'because', 'therefore', 'and') tell you about the blank?

   It tells you the blank should agree with or reinforce the idea in the other clause, maintaining the same direction of meaning.

5. In a double-blank sentence, what is the most efficient strategy for testing answer choices?

   Solve one blank at a time: eliminate options that fail the easier blank first, then check the remaining choices against the second blank. Both words must fit for the choice to be correct.

6. In a double-blank sentence, what is the relationship between the two blanks if the connecting word is a contrast word like 'although' or 'whereas'?

   The two blanks should carry opposite or contrasting meanings to each other.

7. In a double-blank sentence, what is the relationship between the two blanks if the clauses are joined by a continuation word like 'and' or 'so'?

   The two blanks should carry similar or complementary meanings, moving in the same direction.

8. What is a 'contextual vocabulary cue'?

   A clue within the surrounding text (definition, example, contrast, or tone) that helps you infer the meaning of an unknown word or determine the correct word for a blank.

9. Name the four main types of context clues used to determine word meaning.

   Definition/restatement clues, example clues, contrast/antonym clues, and inference/general-sense clues.

10. What is a 'definition or restatement' context clue?

    The sentence directly explains the unknown word, often set off by commas, dashes, 'or', 'that is', or 'which means'.

11. What is a 'contrast' context clue, and which words often signal it?

    A clue where an opposite idea reveals the word's meaning by contrast. Signaled by words like but, however, unlike, instead, although, on the other hand.

12. What is an 'example' context clue?

    A clue where specific examples illustrate the meaning of an unknown word, often introduced by 'such as', 'for example', 'including', or 'like'.

13. What is a verbal analogy question testing?

    Your ability to recognize the relationship between a pair of words and identify another pair that shares the same relationship.

14. In analogy notation, what does 'A : B :: C : D' mean?

    It reads 'A is to B as C is to D' — the relationship between A and B must match the relationship between C and D.

15. What is the recommended method for solving an analogy question?

    Build a clear 'bridge' sentence stating the relationship between the first pair, then apply that exact sentence to each answer pair and pick the one that fits identically.

16. In analogies, why must the order (direction) of the word pair be preserved?

    Because reversing the order reverses the relationship; A:B and B:A express different relationships, so the answer pair must keep the same direction as the question pair.

17. Name the analogy relationship type for 'cat : kitten'.

    Adult-to-young (or animal-to-offspring) relationship.

18. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'glove : hand'.

    Object-to-the-body-part-it-covers (function/clothing) relationship.

19. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'thrifty : stingy'.

    Degree relationship — the second word is a more extreme/negative degree of the first.

20. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'doctor : hospital'.

    Worker-to-workplace relationship.

21. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'hungry : eat'.

    Cause-and-effect (or condition-to-resulting-action) relationship.

22. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'piece : whole' (e.g., 'page : book').

    Part-to-whole relationship.

23. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'hot : cold'.

    Antonym (opposite) relationship.

24. Identify the analogy relationship type: 'big : large'.

    Synonym relationship.

See more English (Verbal) flashcards →

Planning English (Verbal) for NTS NAT-IE

English (Verbal) (NTS NAT-IE) FAQ