NUMS Entry Test English Syllabus

English syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English in NUMS Entry Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Vocabulary

   3 topics

   • Synonyms and antonyms
   • Word meanings in context
   • Analogies
2. 2

   Grammar and Sentence Structure

   3 topics

   • Tenses
   • Parts of speech
   • Sentence construction
3. 3

   Subject-Verb Agreement, Articles and Prepositions

   3 topics

   • Subject-verb agreement
   • Articles
   • Prepositions
4. 4

   Sentence Mechanics and Writing Conventions

   2 topics

   • Punctuation
   • Capitalization and spelling
5. 5

   Error Identification and Correction

   2 topics

   • Spotting grammatical errors
   • Sentence correction
6. 6

   Reading Comprehension

   2 topics

   • Main idea and supporting details
   • Inference and tone

English flashcards for NUMS Entry Test

23 of 52 cards from the English deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a synonym, and give a synonym for the word "abundant".

   A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. A synonym for "abundant" is "plentiful" (also: ample, copious).

2. What is an antonym, and give the antonym of "benevolent".

   An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another word. The antonym of "benevolent" (kind) is "malevolent" (evil/spiteful).

3. Give a synonym and an antonym for the word "candid".

   Synonym: frank/honest. Antonym: deceptive/secretive.

4. What does "obscure" mean, and what is its antonym?

   "Obscure" means unclear, hidden, or not well known. Its antonym is "clear" (or "obvious"/"famous").

5. When choosing a word's meaning in context, what should you rely on?

   Rely on the surrounding words (context clues) such as definitions, examples, contrast words, and the overall tone of the sentence, rather than a word's most common dictionary meaning.

6. In the sentence "The novel's plot was riveting," what does "riveting" mean?

   "Riveting" means completely engrossing or fascinating, holding one's full attention.

7. What does the word "novel" mean when used as an adjective (e.g., "a novel idea")?

   As an adjective, "novel" means new, original, or unusual.

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

   Identify the precise relationship between the first pair (A and B), then find the answer that makes the second pair (C and D) share that same relationship.

9. Complete the analogy: "Hot : Cold :: Up : ?" and name the relationship.

   Answer: Down. The relationship is antonyms (opposites).

10. Complete the analogy: "Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?" and name the relationship.

    Answer: School. The relationship is worker to place of work.

11. What is the relationship in the analogy "Puppy : Dog :: Kitten : Cat"?

    Young to adult (an age/developmental-stage relationship).

12. List the three main types of present tense and give the structure of each.

    Present Simple (subject + base verb / verb+s): "She walks." Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing): "She is walking." Present Perfect (have/has + past participle): "She has walked."

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

    Structure: has/have + past participle (e.g., "I have eaten"). Use: actions completed at an unspecified past time or that continue to affect the present.

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

    Structure: was/were + verb-ing (e.g., "They were playing"). Use: an ongoing action in progress at a specific time in the past, often interrupted by another action.

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

    will have + past participle (e.g., "By 2030, she will have graduated"). It describes an action that will be completed before a specific future time.

16. Name the four aspects of any tense in English.

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

17. What are the eight parts of speech in English?

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

18. What is the difference between an adjective and an adverb?

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

19. What is a conjunction, and name the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).

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

20. What is the function of a preposition?

    A preposition shows the relationship (in time, place, or direction) between a noun/pronoun and another word in the sentence, e.g., "on the table," "before noon."

21. What is an interjection? Give an example.

    An interjection is a word or phrase expressing sudden emotion, often standing alone with an exclamation mark, e.g., "Wow!", "Ouch!", "Alas!"

22. What are the three essential components for a complete sentence?

    A subject, a predicate (containing a verb), and the expression of a complete thought.

23. Define an independent clause and a dependent (subordinate) clause.

    An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone (e.g., "because it rained").

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