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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension : Topics, Syllabus and Questions
Avantika Bhardwaj
Updated on 12th September, 2024 , 9 min read
Imagine this. You are entering your MBA examination hall and are fully prepared to ace one of the most challenging sections: Verbal ability. This will give you the best confidence boost. For most students, this section seems to be one of the toughest to crack. Primarily because, unlike other sections there is no set method to prepare for this section.
If you consider Quantitative Ability, you have formulas to revise, insert and get the answers. However, for Verbal ability, some verbal ability questions may seem subjective in nature.
So, does that mean there is no way to prepare for this section? Absolutely not; there are some tips that can help you prepare. With the right strategy and preparation tactics, this is very easy to tackle.
In this blog we will look at the right way to prepare for the VARC section for MBA entrance exams, and also cover the verbal ability syllabus in detail.
So read this blog right till the end to know everything there is, about this section!
Overview of the VARC Section
The VARC section plays an important role in various MBA entrance exams like XAT, CAT, CET, etc. The whole idea behind including this section is to understand your English proficiency. Typically, this section is divided into two areas, given below:
Verbal Ability
This section understands your command over the English language. It focuses on topics like Grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. You need to show your understanding of English rules and how well you can apply these rules.
Reading Comprehension
This section focuses on your ability to read, understand, and interpret various passages. The difficult part here is that the passages could be from varied genres. They may also differ with respect to the content and style of writing. The focus you must have is to grasp the main ideas, derive inferences, and then answer questions accurately.
In most MBA entrance exams, the topics will be divided between these two main sections only. So you can plan and focus on the areas that require improvement.
Topics Under VARC Section
To ace any section in the MBA entrance exams, you must know the various topics that are asked in this section. Given below is a detailed understanding of the various topics under the VARC section:
1. Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is one of the most important sections of the VARC. This test section gauges a candidate's comprehension, analysis, and interpretation skills. Usually, it covers sections on various subjects, including philosophy, physics, economics, history, and others.
Every passage has varying lengths and comes with a unique set of questions. There are specific ways of answering each of these questions. This section tests your reading speed, accuracy, and critical thinking. Also, Reading comprehension is sometimes regarded as one of the toughest components of the test.
- Types of Passages
- Different types of passages may be asked in your exam. They could be analytical, argumentative, descriptive, or narrative. When you consider exams like CAT, there are inference-based passages. Here, you need to read between the lines to answer questions. But for exams like CMAT, NMAT, etc the questions are straightforward.
- Question Types
- Within the reading comprehension part, the question types may vary, too. You can be asked about the main idea of the passage. There can be questions about specific details, the author's tone, and underlying assumptions. For example, if you have an argumentative passage, you may be asked to understand the intention behind this passage.
- Tips for RC
- To tackle RC questions effectively, practice skimming passages to get a general idea before reading in detail. Pay attention to the structure of the passage, and highlight key points as you read.
How to Prepare
Regular reading is one of the most effective and easiest ways to improve your VARC skills. It helps build comprehension and exposes you to different writing styles and topics.
- Daily Reading
- Make reading a daily habit. Aim for at least 30 minutes of reading each day. Include a mix of newspapers, novels, academic journals, and magazines.
- Varied Material
- Diversify your reading materials. Reading different genres and types of texts will help you adapt to various writing styles and content.
2. Grammar
This part will test your understanding of English rules. A strong knowledge of Grammar is important for the topics given below:
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Making sure the subject and verb match in number.
- Tenses
- Knowing when to use past, present, or future forms of verbs.
- Pronouns
- Using words like "he," "she," "it," or "they" correctly. They must match the nouns they replace.
- Prepositions
- Words like "in," "on," "at," or "by" that show location or time
- Conjunctions
- Words like "and," "but," or "because" that connect sentences or ideas.
- Articles
- Using "a," "an," and "the" correctly.
- Modifiers
- Placing words that describe correctly in a sentence.
- Punctuation
- Using commas, periods, and other marks correctly. These help make your sentences clear.
These are tested in the following question types:
- Sentence Correction
- In this type of question, you have sentences given to you that have some errors. Your job is to correct these errors. It could involve problems like punctuation, verb tenses, or sentence structure in general.
- Error Spotting
- This type of question needs you to identify grammatical mistakes. Some common types of mistakes include subject-verb agreement, improper use of prepositions, and incorrect modifiers.
How to Prepare
To ace the grammar section, it is important to practice a lot! You must solve exercises that are focused on common errors. Make use of resources like grammar workbooks or online grammar tests.
- Grammar Books
- Use comprehensive grammar books to review rules and practice exercises. "High School English Grammar" by Wren and Martin is a recommended resource.
- Online Exercises
- Take advantage of online grammar exercises and tools. There are multiple websites online that offer valuable practice and explanations.
3. Vocabulary
Vocabulary is absolutely vital in the VARC part. It clarifies the terms in sections and questions, and understanding the meaning of sentences comes more naturally as one knows more terms.
- In Verbal Ability, vocabulary aids with synonyms and fill-in-the-blank questions. Many times, these quizzes gauge your knowledge of word meaning. A strong vocabulary allows you to pick the correct term fast.
- In reading comprehension, vocabulary is also absolutely vital. Should you not know a word, it can perplex you. This makes proper understanding of the passage or response challenging. Sometimes, misinterpretation of one word alters the whole meaning of a sentence.
- Developing your vocabulary will aid you in both spheres. It facilitates faster reading and easier question responses. Regular reading and daily word acquisition will help you expand your vocabulary.
Some question types include:
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Here, you are tested on your knowledge of word meanings. You need to be aware of both similar as well as opposite meanings of words that are given to you.
- Contextual Usage
- Vocabulary verbal ability questions may also test you with respect to contextual usage. Here you need to choose the correct word based on the sentence's context and overall meaning as well.
- Building Vocabulary
- Vocabulary is vast in nature, and you may not be able to learn every word under the sky. However, to enhance your vocabulary, you can use flashcards. Additionally, read a lot and make use of vocabulary-building apps.
How to Prepare
A strong vocabulary enhances both your reading comprehension and verbal ability.
- Learn New Words
- Regularly learn new words and their meanings. Use resources like GRE or SAT vocabulary lists to expand your vocabulary.
- Flashcards
- Create flashcards for new words and review them frequently. This helps reinforce your memory of word meanings and usage.
- Contextual Learning
- Regular practice using new words in sentences. This helps you understand how words fit into different contexts and improves retention.
4. Sentence Completion
These questions focus on filling blanks in sentences. You have to pick the appropriate term or phrase that most fits. You will find a missing element in the sentences. You have to choose the word that fixes and completes the phrase.
These questions evaluate your grasp of sentence construction and word choice. Every word has meaning; hence, you should understand how it relates to others. It's like trying to solve a puzzle in which just one piece fits exactly.
Through repeatedly answering these questions, you improve your word choice. This sharpens your thinking speed and enhances your linguistic abilities.
- Contextual Clues
- To choose the correct words, you'll need to understand the context of the sentence and select options that fit both grammatically and logically.
- Practice Tips
- Work on exercises that involve completing sentences with appropriate words. Focus on understanding how different words can change the meaning of a sentence.
How to Prepare
- To prepare for fill-in-the-blank questions, practice reading different types of sentences. Focus on understanding the meaning of words and how they fit in context. Use vocabulary exercises and flashcards to build your word bank. Regular practice will help you quickly identify the right word or phrase for each blank.
5. Para Jumbles
Para Jumbles are questions in which you have a series of sentences. These lines are arranged haphazardly. Your job is to reorganize them to make them logical as a paragraph.
- See the sentences like fragments of a jigsaw. Together properly, they provide a coherent and clear narrative. However, the text won't make sense in the incorrect sequence.
- Para Jumbles requires you to identify the sentence that best begins the paragraph. Search then for hints to determine which sentence ought to follow. Continue in this manner until every statement makes logical sense together.
- It's like determining the proper order in a narrative. This can be challenging as, on their own, all the sentences seem perfect. For the entire paragraph, though, only one arrangement makes sense.
To improve at Para Jumbles, one must practice. The more you practice, the simpler it becomes to spot the proper sequence.
- Logical Flow
- This tests your understanding of how sentences should be ordered to make sense. Pay attention to the logical flow and how each sentence connects to the next.
- Practice Tips
- Practice with para jumble exercises to improve your ability to identify the correct sequence. Look for clues in the sentences that indicate their order, such as transitional words or phrases.
How to Prepare
To prepare for Para jumbles, practice identifying logical sequences in sentences. Look for clues like linking words, pronouns, and time indicators. Understand the flow of ideas and determine the correct order. Regular practice with varied examples helps you recognize patterns, making arranging sentences correctly during exams easier.
6. Paragraph Completion
Paragraph Completion questions are really crucial. They want you to close a paragraph. You pick the best line of action here. The sentence should be fitting. It should help to clarify the paragraph.
- These questions gauge your knowledge. One must observe the intellectual flow. You have to choose the sentence corresponding to the theme of the text. It should also fit quite well with the other sentences. This renders the paragraph whole.
- You must pay great attention if you are to do successfully. The paragraph's central point should be clear to you. Choose the best sentence, then. Practice will enable you to improve in this regard.
Coherence and Context
- To answer these verbal ability questions, choose the sentence that best fits the existing content and maintains the paragraph's coherence.
How to Prepare
To prepare for Paragraph Completion questions, practice identifying the main idea of paragraphs. Read carefully to understand the flow of ideas. Focus on connecting sentences logically. Regularly attempt practice questions to improve your skills. This helps you choose the best sentence that completes the paragraph smoothly and accurately.
Additional Practice Tips to Consider
1. Solve Practice Papers
Practicing with sample papers and previous years' papers is imperative for understanding the exam format and question types
- Timed Practice
- Practice under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam experience. This will help you manage your time more effectively during the test.
- Analyze Mistakes
- Review your answers and analyze mistakes after completing practice papers. Understanding where you went wrong will help you improve and avoid similar errors.
2. Join a Study Group
Studying with others can provide additional insights and motivation.
- Group Study
- Join a study group or online forum to discuss VARC topics and share resources. This will let you benefit from different perspectives and study strategies.
- Peer Feedback
- Exchange feedback on practice answers and strategies. This can help you identify areas for improvement and gain new insights.
3. Develop a Strategy
Having a strategy for each type of question can help you approach them more effectively:
RC Strategy
- For Reading Comprehension, summarize the passage to get a general idea.
- Read it more thoroughly to understand the details.
- Focus on the main idea presented and key points as you answer questions.
Grammar and Vocabulary Strategy
- Familiarize yourself with common grammar rules and practice identifying errors. For vocabulary, learn how words are used in context and practice using them in sentences.
Conclusion
Preparing for the VARC section of your MBA entrance exam might seem daunting, but it can become a manageable and even rewarding part of your study plan with the right strategies and preparation. By incorporating regular reading, consistent grammar practice, and strategic problem-solving, you'll be well on your way to mastering VARC and achieving a top score. Remember, preparation is not just about hard work but smart strategies and consistent effort. Stay focused, practice regularly, and approach your MBA exams confidently and clearly. Good luck!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is recommended to dedicate to VARC preparation daily?
Aim to dedicate 1-2 hours each day to VARC preparation. This time should be spent reading, practicing Grammar, and solving sample verbal ability questions.
How can I improve my reading speed?
To improve your reading speed, practice regularly and gradually increase the length of the texts you read. Use techniques like skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details to enhance your speed.
Are there any online resources for grammar practice?
Several online resources, including various grammar-focused websites and apps, can help with grammar practice.
How can I handle difficult passages in Reading Comprehension?
If you find a passage difficult, take your time to understand its main idea and context. Break the passage into smaller sections and focus on understanding each part. Make use of context clues to help you answer verbal ability questions.
How important is vocabulary for the VARC section?
Vocabulary is important but is just one aspect of the VARC section. A strong vocabulary helps understand and answer verbal ability questions, but effective reading comprehension and grammar skills are equally essential.