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Practice Exams

Vocabulary Reviewer for Civil Service Exam (Professional)

Reviewer's Note: Vocabulary is the foundation of the entire Verbal Ability section. Don't just memorize definitions; try to use new words in your daily conversations or writing. Context is the most powerful tool for retention.

Vocabulary questions in the Civil Service Exam (CSE) test your knowledge of English words.

Sa madaling salita: Ang section na ito ay tungkol sa pagpapalawak ng iyong talasalitaan. Huwag lang kabisaduhin ang meaning; subukang gamitin ang mga salita sa araw-araw.

Key Areas to Focus On

  1. Synonyms (Kasingkahulugan): Words that have the same or nearly the same meaning.
  2. Antonyms (Kasalungat): Words that have opposite meanings.
  3. Context Clues: Determining the meaning of an unfamiliar word based on how it is used in a sentence. (Pag-alam sa meaning gamit ang ibang salita sa pangungusap.)
  4. Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes: Breaking down words to understand their definitions.

1. Synonyms

When answering synonym questions, look for the word that is closest in meaning to the given word.

Tips:

  • Eliminate obviously wrong answers: If two choices have the exact same meaning, they are likely both wrong.
  • Use the word in a sentence: (Subukang gamitin sa sariling sentence.)
  • Watch out for nuances: Some words are similar but have different intensities (e.g., dislike vs. loathe).

Examples:

  • ARDUOUS
    • A. Easy
    • B. Difficult
    • C. Short
    • D. Pleasant
    • Answer: B (Difficult). Arduous means involving or requiring strenuous effort.
    • Hack: Ang "Arduous" ay tumutukoy sa gawaing nangangailangan ng matinding pagod o hirap.

2. Antonyms

Antonyms require you to find the word opposite in meaning.

Tips:

  • Don't get confused: It's easy to accidentally choose a synonym. (Huwag malito sa kasingkahulugan.)
  • Look for prefixes: Prefixes like un-, in-, dis-, mal-, often indicate negation.

Examples:

  • OBSCURE
    • A. Clear
    • B. Dark
    • C. Hidden
    • D. Vague
    • Answer: A (Clear).
    • Hack: Ang "Obscure" ay malabo o hindi kilala. Ang kabaligtaran nito ay "Clear" o malinaw.

3. Context Clues

Sometimes you won't know the exact definition of a word, but the sentence gives you clues.

Types of Context Clues:

  • Definition/Explanation: The sentence defines the word. ("The arbitrator, a neutral third party, settled the dispute.")
  • Contrast/Antonym: The sentence uses a contrast word like but, however, unlike. ("He was usually garrulous, but today he was strangely silent.")
    • Hack: Dahil "silent" siya ngayon, ang "garrulous" ay ibig sabihin ay madaldal.
  • Synonym/Restatement: The sentence repeats the idea using different words.

Practice Questions

  1. Select the synonym for: PRAGMATIC

    • A. Practical
    • B. Idealistic
    • C. Foolish
    • D. Theory
    • Answer: A (Practical).
    • Hack: Ang taong pragmatic ay "practical" o makatotohanan ang approach.

  2. Select the antonym for: AUGMENT

    • A. Increase
    • B. Decrease
    • C. Supplement
    • D. Enhance
    • Answer: B (Decrease).
    • Hack: Ang "Augment" ay pagpaparami o pagpapalaki. Ang kasalungat nito ay "Decrease".

  3. Context Clue: "The movie's plot was enigmatic; no one could understand the ending."

    • A. Simple
    • B. Puzzling
    • C. Boring
    • D. Lengthy
    • Answer: B (Puzzling).
    • Hack: Sabi sa sentence, "no one could understand". Ibig sabihin, ito ay nakakalito o "puzzling".

  4. Synonym for: UBIQUITOUS

    • A. Rare
    • B. Everywhere
    • C. Scarce
    • D. Unique
    • Answer: B (Everywhere).
    • Hack: Ang "Ubiquitous" ay laging nakikita kahit saan.

  5. Antonym for: ESOTERIC

    • A. Commonplace
    • B. Mysterious
    • C. Profound
    • D. Secret
    • Answer: A (Commonplace).
    • Hack: Ang "Esoteric" ay para lang sa iilang nakakaalam. Ang kasalungat nito ay "Commonplace" o pangkaraniwan.

  6. Context Clue: "Her propensity for telling jokes made her a favorite at parties."

    • A. Dislike
    • B. Tendency
    • C. Inability
    • D. Skill
    • Answer: B (Tendency).
    • Hack: May "propensity" siya, ito ay ang kanyang hilig o hilig na gawin ang isang bagay (tendency).

  7. Synonym for: PERNICIOUS

    • A. Beneficial
    • B. Harmless
    • C. Harmful
    • D. Pleasant
    • Answer: C (Harmful).
    • Hack: Ang "Pernicious" ay mapanganib o nakakasama (harmful).

  8. Antonym for: GREGARIOUS

    • A. Sociable
    • B. Friendly
    • C. Outgoing
    • D. Introverted
    • Answer: D (Introverted).
    • Hack: Ang "Gregarious" ay taong mahilig sa kasama (sociable). Ang kasalungat nito ay "Introverted".

  9. Synonym for: EPHEMERAL

    • A. Lasting
    • B. Short-lived
    • C. Eternal
    • D. Meaningful
    • Answer: B (Short-lived).
    • Hack: Ang "Ephemeral" ay panandalian lamang.

  10. Antonym for: CAPRICIOUS

    • A. Whimsical
    • B. Unpredictable
    • C. Consistent
    • D. Fickle
    • Answer: C (Consistent).
    • Hack: Ang taong "Capricious" ay pabago-bago ng isip. Ang kasalungat nito ay "Consistent".

  11. Context Clue: "The witness was taciturn, offering only one-word answers to the lawyer's questions."

    • A. Talkative
    • B. Angry
    • C. Reserved
    • D. Confused
    • Answer: C (Reserved).
    • Hack: Dahil one-word answers lang siya, ibig sabihin siya ay tahimik o "reserved".

  12. Synonym for: ERUDITE

    • A. Ignorant
    • B. Scholarly
    • C. Rude
    • D. Simple
    • Answer: B (Scholarly).
    • Hack: Ang "Erudite" ay taong maraming alam o matalino (scholarly).

  13. Antonym for: MITIGATE

    • A. Soothe
    • B. Relieve
    • C. Worsen
    • D. Reduce
    • Answer: C (Worsen).
    • Hack: Ang "Mitigate" ay pagpapabawas ng tindi ng isang problema. Ang kasalungat nito ay "Worsen" o pagpapalala.

  14. Synonym for: EXACERBATE

    • A. Aggravate
    • B. Improve
    • C. Alleviate
    • D. Calm
    • Answer: A (Aggravate).
    • Hack: Ang "Exacerbate" ay pagpapalala ng sitwasyon (aggravate).

  15. Context Clue: "The intern was assiduous, staying late every night to ensure the project was completed perfectly."

    • A. Lazy
    • B. Careless
    • C. Diligent
    • D. Incompetent
    • Answer: C (Diligent).
    • Hack: Dahil nag-stay siya nang late para maging perfect ang project, halimbawa ito ng pagiging masipag o "diligent".

  16. Antonym for: PROLIFIC

    • A. Productive
    • B. Fertile
    • C. Abundant
    • D. Unproductive
    • Answer: D (Unproductive).
    • Hack: Ang "Prolific" ay napakaraming nagagawa. Ang kasalungat ay "Unproductive".

  17. Synonym for: ALACRITY

    • A. Eagerness
    • B. Reluctance
    • C. Sadness
    • D. Hesitation
    • Answer: A (Eagerness).
    • Hack: Ang "Alacrity" ay masayang paggawa nang mabilis (eagerness).

  18. Context Clue: "Despite the team's loss, the coach's sanguine attitude gave the players hope for the next season."

    • A. Pessimistic
    • B. Angry
    • C. Optimistic
    • D. Indifferent
    • Answer: C (Optimistic).
    • Hack: Kahit natalo, may "hope" pa rin sila. Ibig sabihin, ang coach ay "optimistic" o positibo ang pananaw.

  19. Antonym for: AMBIGUOUS

    • A. Vague
    • B. Unclear
    • C. Clear
    • D. Equivocal
    • Answer: C (Clear).
    • Hack: Ang "Ambiguous" ay malabo o may dalawang meaning. Ang kasalungat ay "Clear".

  20. Synonym for: LACONIC

    • A. Verbose
    • B. Concise
    • C. Wordy
    • D. Garrulous
    • Answer: B (Concise).
    • Hack: Ang "Laconic" ay gumagamit ng kakaunting salita (concise).

Keep reading books, newspapers, and articles to naturally expand your vocabulary!