In case you find the questions beyond your reach, don't waste time on it. Switch over to the next one
(prHWY.com) February 5, 2013 - Noida, India -- We prepare hard for any forthcoming examination with the strategy we think could be the best, whether it is self- study; the guidance of mentors or a mix of both. So far as the CMAT is concerned which will take place on February 21-25, you may find around four-five questions out of 25 based on core grammar in the language comprehension section specifically asked to test your knowledge of English grammar. These questions are formed to test your ability to identify the grammatically correct standard written English. You will appreciate that these four-five questions could substantially increase or decrease your score, thereby favourably or adversely affecting the chances of getting into the desired Institute.
One question on correction of error, if marked correct, will award you four marks, if all the five (as we presume) are marked correct, you get a credit of 20 marks, i.e. 20 per cent of the English comprehension section. You could improve your score by following some suggestions:
1. Don't go with a biased or pre-occupied mind: Candidates may or may not attempt all the 25 questions in this section given the time constraint or for fear of getting penalty on wrong answers. But, do not go with a biased mind that you will not attempt all the questions. If you can, go for it.
2. Be quick and accurate: In case you find the questions beyond your reach, don't waste time on it. Switch over to the next one. You may come back to it, if time permits.
3. Time is precious: You can get a very good score by cracking around 17 to 20 questions. All the questions carry equal weightage and are to be solved within a given time frame, say 25 questions in 45 minutes. Your endeavour should be to solve one question in less than one and half minutes or within 90 seconds. This will enable you to come back and review as well as to solve left over questions.
4. Good command over fundamentals is key: You may confront various types of questions to correct the errors in them. If you have a good grasp on fundamentals you could correct them well in time since they are based on the core concepts of grammar and tenses.
Let us have a few relevant questions with right approach to answer the same:
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate pair of words/clauses from the options
When I woke up, I ______ that something ____________ over my dustbin.
A. Was seen; had been turning B. Saw; has turned
C. saw; had turned D. Had seen; would have been turning
Ans. C. Saw -Use of simple past tense since the first verb woke-up is in simple past; had turned - the action was conducted before I came I to know - so past perfect.
Direction: Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option-
2. If I had accepted the job and moved to Spain,
A. I might meet a Spanish woman and got married.
B. I would be meeting a Spanish woman and would get married.
C. I could have met a Spanish woman and could have got married.
D. I should have been meeting a Spanish woman and should have got married.
The answer is C. The given sentence is an example of the use of conditional unreal past. When 'if' clause is in past perfect, the main clause should be with could/should/might +have+ participle form of the verb, hence 'could have met' and 'could have got...
3. In ancient India, Nalanda and Taxila were great seats of knowledge and wisdom. Isn't it?
A. Didn't it? B. Wouldn't them?
C. Weren't they? D. Sentence is correct
The answer is C. The subsequent question should be in the same form of verb. Two subjects - Nalanda and Taxila - are joined by conjunction ánd' followed by plural be form verb 'were', therefore by the same rule, the question is supposed to be in plural be form 'weren't they'.
The next article will be on tips to solve questions related to the English vocabulary.
For the tips to the Verbal Ability section of CMAT, click on the following link:
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/6662/
For Dos and Don'ts in CMAT, click on the following link:
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/6654/
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