CAT 2011 - Make Your Grip On Quantitative Ability

Quantitative Ability can be a nightmare for many CAT aspirants. But if you are really determined about your goal to study MBA in a top notch MBA institute, then a section should not hamper your chance.  For every MBA aspirant, there is one or the other area of weakness. In this article, you will get the tips on how to strengthen this weak section of yours.

 

As you are aware, Quantitative Ability tests your basic knowledge about mathematics, brushing up of the subject, which you had done in the classes VIII to X. The best way to start preparation is by starting with the NCERT books. You will not only feel familiar but will also get your basics brushed up. Before you know more about the preparation strategies, it is important to know about the topics of the Quantitative Ability that you will be facing.

Topics of Quantitative Ability

The topics which you will encounter in this section are Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Functions, Number System and Time, Speed and Distance. These are the most common topics that you will face in the CAT exam. Apart from these, the topics are Mensuration, Linear Equations, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Variable and Inconsistence.

These are the overall topics which you will focus in this section. As Anurag Goyal, who scored 99.56 percentile in CAT 2008 says, “The relative importance keeps changing. It is extremely important to be thoroughly prepared with the chapters that one is comfortable with and not waste time on the others.”

Books for Quantitative Ability

•    The NCERT Maths Books of Class 8 to 10

•    Any one of the following books by R.S. Agarwal: Objective Arithmetic, Mathematics for MBA, Quantitative Techniques

•    ‘How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT’ by Arun Sharma

•    ‘The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT’ by Nishit Sinha

•    ‘Quantum CAT’ by Sarvesh Kumar Verma

•    ‘Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations’ by Abhijit Guha

Preparation strategy

For preparing the Quantitative Ability section, practice is the best way. In Quantitative Ability if you are weak in all areas, you would need to solve and learn from around 5000 questions in order to match your skills with the best. Over a 150 day period this means 30 to 35 questions per day.

The method of learning by solving is also suggested by many experts. The more questions you solve, more idea you will have on the questions and the topics. “For Quant, focus on the learning you can extract out of every question.  If you can do so, then for CAT or for that matter any aptitude exam would ever hurt you in Quant over the next 10 years! Remember, Question based learning is the key.”

One more way to start is by starting with a particular chapter. Clearing the basic concepts, answering the questions and when you feel comfortable about it, move on to the next chapter. “Take one chapter at a time and solve as many questions as possible over a week or 10 days. The objective should be to master the chapter and develop a very high level of comfort and confidence should any question be asked from the chapter. Thereafter, move on to the next chapter,” experts say.

While you clear the basic concepts and solve the questions, you should also keep in mind the fact that speed is an important constraint of the CAT exam. Hence, maintaining speed and accuracy at the same time will be of utmost importance. CAT is about speed and you should plan your time towards solving each and every question very efficiently. Practice as many questions you can mainly from the previous papers because it gives you an idea about the variety of questions that has been asked before.

If mugging up formulae is not your forte, then practice will come to your rescue. Just practice a lot and you won’t need to mug any formula and any trick. Things will turn out eventually in your favor.

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VOCAB Through roots-2

Having a strong vocabulary is a boon for all CAT 2010 takers. But what about those who are not armed with the word power? Do they not stand a chance to clear the Verbal Ability section of CAT 2010? They certainly do, if they utilize the remaining time left for CAT 2010 in working for a strong vocabulary base.

By now, you must have a fair amount of words in your vocabulary account. As our experts had suggested, there are several ways to bundle up your stock of words such as going through dictionaries, vocabulary books, using flash cards etc. But the most basic of them is to learning words through its roots.

Let us first consider the root Ver/Veri. “This root means ‘true’ or ‘genuine’. These are derived from Latin.

• Verify: To check the accuracy or truth of something-could be a statement, some data, fact or figure etc

• Verifiable: Something that can be checked-the accuracy can be ascertained etc

• Veracity/ Veracious: These words mean something that is correct, truthful, genuine or accurate

• Verisimilar: Something that appears to be true

• Verily: Something that is true or certain, correct or accurate

• Veridity: Something that is genuine and true

• Veritable: Again, this means something that is true

The second root is Chron. “Whenever you see the root, ‘chron’, you should immediately think of ‘time’ for that is what the root means.

• Chronology:  This means “of, relating to, or arranged in or according to the order of time”

• Chronicle:  A record of events in a chronological sequence (in order of time when they occurred)

• Chronic:  Means occurring at frequent intervals of time

• Chronometer:  A device used to measure/ keep time. A clock is therefore a chronometer

• Anachronism:  Something that is out of place in time/ chronologically out of place. For example, if you see someone wearing a dress that was usually worn only in the medieval period, you could call that an ‘anachronism’

The third root which is considered is ante. “This root means the same as the well-known prefix, pre means i.e. it means ‘before’.

• Ante-room:  A room that leads to a bigger room (literally, a small room before a bigger one)

• Antediluvian:  Literally, of or belonging to the period before the great Biblical flood, generally used to refer to someone or someone who is old-fashioned, out of date or antiquated

• Antebellum:  The root ‘bell’ means aggressive (think of the words ‘bellicose’, ‘belligerent’ etc). ‘Antebellum’ therefore literally means ‘before the war’ (here the reference is generally to the American Civil War)

• Antedate:  To be of an older date than something else, thus precede in time

• Antecedent:  refers to a preceding circumstance or event; thus a precursor or fore-runner.

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CAT 2010: Strategy For Quantitative Ability-Maintain speed & accuracy

Quantitative Ability  Section of CAT exam is such, where accuracy is very important. To attain the appropriate accuracy level and score well in CAT test, you must take a couple of speed math tests every day. As you are targeting for CAT 2010 so you must pay extra attention to the following topics:-

Basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry. 

Accuracy is very important factor for scoring high in CAT 2010. Even though you apply the right method to solve a problem, if you are not accurate enough or commit even a simple mistake, you will have to face negative marking, resulting in low percentile. This article will tell you how you can maintain your accuracy without compromising on the speed. Here we go:-

Practice, it’s the Keyword: Practice is the best tool which can help you to score well. It’s the keyword of success here. Practicing questions helps you to identify your mistakes and analysis with the help of a mentor or your group member will help you realize the type of it. It will help you pay extra attention to it and rectify it. If it is a conceptual ambiguity, please go back to your basics. But if it is a silly mistake then you should practice more of the similar kind of problem and make your calculations more accurate. You need to minimize your areas of weakness by consistent practice.

Identifying the problem areas: You need to identify the problems you are facing while solving the questions in the Quantitative Ability area. Check , if the lack of accuracy takes place in all the topics or on one particular topic. If it is for all topics, then this might be due to your concentration problem. But if this problem pertains in some particular topics, then you should focus on solving that particular topic more.

Be careful while selecting questions: If your problem in accuracy lies in some particular topic/topics, then you should solve more questions from those topics. But while writing CAT 2010, you shall go for the topics you are more comfortable and accurate in. In the exam first solve the questions that you are comfortable with and are faster at solving. However, you should be competent enough to attempt questions from all the topics to get the required percentile in the Quantitative Ability section of CAT 2010. Ideally you should attempt only 10 questions in CAT 2010 without any mistakes.

Practice all the topics to increase speed & maintain accuracy: As mentioned before, you need to cover all the topics of the Quantitative Ability. The experts suggest a time table for covering all topics of Quantitative Ability. We would recommend alternating between areas.

For eg.

Monday - Modern Math, Tuesday - Arithmetic, Wednesday - Algebra, Thursday - Geometry, Friday - take test, Saturday - analyze, Sunday - revise weak areas.

This way would ensure that you cover all the areas in the Quantitative Ability equally.

After revision practice questions of various forms from these topics or take mock tests on the same.

Taking a couple of speed math tests every day will help you a lot. Make it as important as breathing. Basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry forms a broad classification of the topics that may appear in your paper. For both the sections, number theory, ratios, speed and distance, time are important.

Stay connected to MBAInformer.tk for more on CAT 2010 preparation.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question:-
The question below contains a paragraph followed by alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the paragraph.

It has long been held that decisions made collectively by large groups of people are more likely to turn out to be accurate than decisions made by individuals. The idea goes back to the “jury theorem” of Nicolas de Condorcet, an 18th-century French philosopher who was one of the first to apply mathematics to the social sciences. Now it is becoming clear that group decisions are also extremely valuable for the success of social animals, such as ants, bees, birds and dolphins.

OPTIONS

1)The jury theorem of Nicolas de Condorcet suggests that consensus decisions made by social animals and groups of people are more likely to be accurate.

2)Collective decisions of groups of people are more likely to be accurate according to the jury theorem of Nicolas de Condorcet. Now it is becoming clear that group decisions are valuable to other social animals too.
3)By applying mathematics to social sciences Nicolas de Condorcet through “jury theorem” suggests the importance of collective decisions for social animals including man.
4)The jury theorem of Nicolas de Condorcet, which applies mathematics to social sciences, suggests that consensus decisions made by social animals and groups of people are more likely to be accurate.

5)Consensus decisions are more likely to be accurate according to the jury theorem of Nicolas de Condorcet. Now it is becoming clear that group decisions are valuable to other animals too.


Solution
The passage states that when groups of people make decisions, the decisions are more likely to be accurate. The idea can be traced to Nicolas de Condorcet of 18th century. Now it is understood that other social animals too find collective decisions valuable.
Option 1 clubs social animals and groups of people together. The theorem was not applicable to social animals.
Options 3 and 4 are incorrect in saying that “by applying mathematics ...” – the paragraph uses this information merely to introduce the philosopher.
Option 5 is incorrect because it states “animals” without trying to distinguish between “social animals”.
The option that comes closest to capturing the essence of the paragraph is option 2.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

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Quantitave Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-

Consider the set S of the unit’s digit of all numbers which are expressible as the sum of exactly two prime numbers. How many digits do not occur in S?

OPTIONS

1) 0
2) 1
3) 4
4) 6

Solution


First, we note that we can find prime numbers ending with every possible odd digit – for example, 11, 3, 5, 7 and 19. We can add any two of these to get numbers ending with every possible even digit, so all even digits are necessarily members of S.
Now, 2 is also a prime number. By adding 2 to prime numbers ending with all possible odd digits, we will get numbers that are the sum of two prime numbers and end with all possible odd digits. Hence, all odd digits are also members of S.
Since S contains all odd and even digits, there is no digit which is not a member of S.
Hence, option 1.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question:-
Mark the error(s) in the following sentences.

For many years, (i) it was thought about all of our brain cells (neurons) (ii) are produced before birth, or exceptionally, up to one or two years after birth, but then the process supposedly stopped. From then on, most brain scientists believed, brain circuits (iii) could only be modified by altering the synapses, or contacts between existing cells. In this view,  the total complement of cells,(iv) anatomically organized by function and forming major pathways, (v) constituted the brain’s “hardware.”

OPTIONS

1) i, ii, iv
2) ii, iii, v
3) i, ii
4) i, iii, v
5) ii, iv,

Solution
There is no error in phrases iii, iv and v.
There are grammatical errors in phrases i and ii.
In phrase i, the error is in the use of the preposition ‘about’ after ‘thought’. In this sentence, the correct usage would have been ‘thought that’. This is because ‘that’ introduces the main clause in the sentence.
In phrase ii, while making an adverb from the adjective ‘exceptional’, one has to only add ‘–ly’ to make ‘exceptionally’. ‘Exceptionably’ is wrong usage.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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Quantitave Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-
Consider the set S of the unit’s digit of all numbers which are expressible as the sum of exactly two prime numbers. How many digits do not occur in S?

OPTIONS

1) 0
2) 1
3) 4
4) 6
Solution
First, we note that we can find prime numbers ending with every possible odd digit – for example, 11, 3, 5, 7 and 19. We can add any two of these to get numbers ending with every possible even digit, so all even digits are necessarily members of S.
Now, 2 is also a prime number. By adding 2 to prime numbers ending with all possible odd digits, we will get numbers that are the sum of two prime numbers and end with all possible odd digits. Hence, all odd digits are also members of S.
Since S contains all odd and even digits, there is no digit which is not a member of S.
Hence, option 1.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question-


The following question has a paragraph from which the last sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.

If the hoardings were anything to go by, swamis of various stripes were the advertisers of the year at the Maha Kumbh Mela held at  Haridwar. Eschewing the one size fits all approach, each swami had something unique on offer. They promised to rescue Hinduism and Hindus from grave peril, railed against global warming, flaunted their many social service initiatives, and for the religiously undecided, offered an entirely secular package of peace, love and spiritual happiness. ____.

OPTIONS

1) A slew of 360 degree initiatives included mini ashrams and ready access to the babas or swamis in question.
2) In short, everything that one would have expected brands to do.
3) A comprehensive marketing programme indeed!
4) A possible reason was to retain the focus on the spiritual side of Haridwar and the Kumbh Mela.
5) For all that, Haridwar is by no stretch of imagination a brand averse city.

Solution
The paragraph conveys that at the Kumbh Mela, “swamis ... were the advertisers of the year”. This idea is brought to closure by option 3.
Option 1 helps to continue the paragraph by stating more of what was on offer. It does not help to close it.
Options 2 and 5 are inappropriate in concluding about brands and even about Haridwar with sweeping statements, whereas the paragraph merely talks about swamis advertising.
Option 4 raises the question about who has to retain the focus – the purpose of the paragraph is not to wonder why swamis were advertising heavily. Option 4 may be related to the paragraph but does not logically close it.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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Verbal Ability - Question Of the Day

Question -
The question below contains a paragraph followed by alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the paragraph.

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental conflict that occurs when beliefs or assumptions are contradicted by new information. The unease or tension that the conflict arouses in a person is relieved by one of several defensive maneuvers: the person rejects, explains away, or avoids the new information, persuades himself that no conflict really exists, reconciles the differences, or resorts to any other defensive means of preserving stability or order in his conception of the world and of himself.

OPTIONS

1) Cognitive dissonance arises when a person maintains stability through rejection, denial, explanation, reconciliation of new information or other such defensive measures.
2) In cognitive dissonance a person experiences conflicts due to the rejection, denial, explanation or reconciliation of new information that contradict his beliefs.
3) Cognitive dissonance is a mental conflict when new information contradicts beliefs. The person may then reject, deny, explain, or reconcile such information to maintain stability.
4) In cognitive dissonance a person rejects, denies, explains, or reconciles as a defensive manoeuvre the threat to his established beliefs that cause conflict.
5) Cognitive dissonance is the defensive manoeuvre to preserve stability in oneself through rejection, denial, explanation, or reconciliation when beliefs are challenged by new information.


Solution
The gist of the paragraph is: Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental conflict that arises when new facts contradict beliefs. One tries to overcome this conflict by various defensive maneuvers like rejection, denial etc.  
Option 3 captures this essence.
All other options mistakenly refer to cognitive dissonance as the rejection or denial or the conflict due to rejection, denial etc.
Rejection or denial is a defensive measure towards the conflict called cognitive dissonance. 
Nor is it a defensive maneuver as option 5 puts it.
Option 4 misses out on the mental conflict part.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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Verbal Ability - Question Of the Day

Question-

The following question has a paragraph from which the last sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.

People may be attracted to those who have similar attitudes, values, and beliefs and even marry them – at least in part – on the basis of this similarity because attitudes are highly visible and salient characteristics and they are fundamental to the way people lead their lives. Personality-related characteristics, on the other hand, take much longer to be known. However, once people are in a committed relationship, it is primarily personality similarity that influences marital happiness because being in a committed relationship entails regular interaction and requires extensive coordination in dealing with tasks, issues and problems of daily living. ____.

OPTIONS

1) But Nature doesn’t really care whether they get along or not, as long as the two procreate.
2) That is why we try to choose someone with the same interests as we, someone from a similar background, with the same values, and with whom we have a lot in common.
3) Hence couples with similar temperaments tend to get along better, and that similar attitudes and beliefs are not an important factor.
4) Where personality similarity is likely to facilitate this process, personality differences may result in more friction and conflict in daily life.
5) Exceptions generally do not arise when some external factors, like interference of in-laws, is playing a role in the couple’s unhappiness, not their personalities.

For answer please visit next day.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question-
Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate set of words from the options for each blank.
Although many genetic and environmental causes of autism have been ____, its theory of causation is still incomplete. The genetics of autism is complex. Genetic linkage analysis has been inconclusive; many association analyses have had inadequate power For each autistic individual, mutations in more than one gene may be ___. Mutations in different sets of genes may be involved in different autistic individuals. There may be _____ interactions among mutations in several genes, or between the environment and mutated genes. By ____ genetic markers inherited with autism in family studies, numerous candidate genes have been located, most of which encode proteins involved in neural development and function.

OPTIONS

1) suggested, possible, unequal, removing
2) insinuated, acquited, obvious, identifying
3) proposed, possible, unequal, eliminating
4) insinuated, involved, obvious,  isolating.
5) proposed, implicated, significant, identifying.

Solution
‘Insinuate’ means ‘to hint’ or ‘imply’ which does not fit in the context’.
‘Suggested’ or ‘proposed’ can fit in blank 1.
Also, in blank 2, acquitted is inappropriate. This eliminates options 2 and 4.
In blank 4, numerous candidate genes cannot be located by ‘isolating’, 'removing' or 'eliminating them'. To locate a gene or a gene marker, we need to ‘identify’ or ‘locate’ it rather than ‘eliminate’ or 'remove' it.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.

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Quantitave Ability-Question of the Day

Question-
Five numbers to be added are entered in different columns in an excel sheet. While writing the formula to calculate their sum, a user enters the wrong formula three times. First, he multiplies the numbers in order by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 before adding to get the result 1, then he multiplies the numbers in order by 3, 3, 7, 8 and 10 before adding to get the result 4. Finally, he multiplies them in order by 3, 2, 5, 5 and 6 before adding to get the sum 8. What is their actual sum?

OPTIONS

1)2
2)4
3)5
4)Cannot be determined


Solution
Let the numbers in order be a, b, c, d and e. 

It is given that 
a + 2b + 3c + 4d + 5e = 1              … (i)
3a + 3b + 7c + 8d + 10e = 4          … (ii)
3a + 2b + 5c + 5d + 6e = 8            … (iii)

Subtracting the equation (i) from (ii), we get
2a + b + 4c + 4d + 5e = 3              … (iv)

Subtracting equation (iv) from (iii), we get
a + b + c + d + e = 5

Thus, the actual value of the sum is 5.
Hence, option 3.

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Verbal Ability-Question of the Day

Question-
The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. These sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the options.
A. This is fundamentally wrong.
B. The sex functions, when properly controlled and led into the proper channels, are a most essential and legitimate form of physical self-expression.
C. This discussion of these Avoided Subjects, in Plain English, is intended to give the salient facts regarding sex in a direct, straightforward manner, bearing in mind the true purpose of normal sex activities.
D. Its activities are not obscene, but nature's own means to certain legitimate ends.
E. Sex affects the very root of all human life.
F. The veil of secrecy with which they are so often shrouded tends to create an altogether false impression regarding them.

OPTIONS

1) EDABFC
2) FCAEDB
3) BAFDEC
4) AEDBFC
5) CFBDEA

Solution
Statement A states ‘this is fundamentally wrong’. Now all the other statements talk about the same idea of sex being considered a taboo, which it is not. It means that statement A cannot be placed in-between the other 5 statements. Hence statement A should be placed either at the beginning of the paragraph, meaning it refuted something else spoken of in the previous statement (which we don’t know as it is not given) and now presents the case why understanding sex is important. Conversely statement A can be placed as the last statement, following which a case could be presented, refuting everything presented in the passage.
In either case, statement A needs to be presented either at the start or the end. Only options 4 and 5 satisfy that condition. This eliminates options 1, 2 and 3.
Option 5 flows beautifully with C-F-B. Then statement D talks of ‘Its activities’ which means statement D is pointing out at something singular. But all that the preceding statement B talks about is ‘the sex functions’ which is in plural form. A plural noun cannot connect with a singular pronoun. It creates an error of consistency. This eliminates option 5.
Option 4 does not present any technical flaw and flows well with the ideas presented.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question-
The question below contains a paragraph followed by alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the paragraph.
The signing of a treaty between the US and Russia on reducing their strategic nuclear arsenals is most welcome, even if the larger aim of nuclear disarmament remains distant. Cutting their nuclear arsenals by a third over seven years - down to 1,550 warheads from the 2,200 allowed by the 1991 strategic arms reduction treaty - still leaves enough to destroy the world several times over.

OPTIONS

1) In spite of the treaty between the US and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals down to 1550, the larger aim of nuclear disarmament remains distant.
2) Though the new treaty between the US and Russia on reducing nuclear warheads is a positive step, the larger aim of nuclear disarmament is still distant.
3) Though the new treaty between the US and Russia will reduce their nuclear arsenals to below 1991 levels, they are still sufficient to destroy the world several times over.
4) Though the new treaty between the US and Russia will reduce their nuclear arsenals to 1550 warheads, they are still sufficient to destroy the world several times over.
5) The treaty between the US and Russia on reducing the nuclear  warheads from 2200 to 1550 over seven years leaves them still enough to destroy the world several times over.

Solution
The gist of the paragraph is not the numbers. It is the treaty that is a positive step (most welcome), but the goal of the treaty also is total nuclear disarmament- that still remains distant.
Almost all options capture the specific event and the details well, but the essence is captured by option 2 only.
The other options fail to mention the ‘most welcome’ aspect.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question:-

The question below contains a number of sentences. Each sentence has pairs of word(s)/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted word(s)/phrase(s), select the most appropriate word(s)/phrase(s) to form correct sentences. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
i. He marshalled [A]/ marsheled [B] all his strength to complete the last stretch of the marathon.
ii. Rick told my sister and myself [A]/ me [B] about her solo plane ride.
iii. The committee was not prepared for the truncated [A] / trenchant [B] comments of the public.
iv. His appeal for bail was mitigated [A] / militated [B] by all the evidence presented by the prosecution.
v. It is customary to greet the Emir with obeisance [A] / obsequiousness [B].

OPTIONS

1) ABAAB
2) BABBA
3) ABBAA
4) AAABB
5) BBBAA

Solution
“marshalled” is a verb meaning 'to gather up or together'. "marsheled" as a word does not exist in the English language.
“Myself” is a reflexive pronoun and in the case of the above sentence is incorrect.
“Truncated” means curtailed or cut-short and “trenchant” means forceful and keen. If the committee was not prepared, the comments had to be incisive and sharp - not cut-short.
“Militate” means to influence toward or against a change. “Mitigate” means to lessen, weaken.
“Obeisance” is respect and homage paid someone. “Obsequiousness” is an eagerness to obey.
Hence the correct answer is option 3.

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Verbal Ability - Question of the Day

Question:-
Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate set of words from the options for each blank.

Thousands of civilians are trapped, with ____ supplies of clean water and food. Hundreds are alleged to have been killed or ___. Considering the fact that the two previous offensives in Swat failed, leaving the locals slightly furious, the current one may not achieve much. It risks leaving Swatis more ___ with their government and more ___ than ever, hardening the Taliban’s hold over the region.

OPTIONS

1) meager, mutilated, dejected, melancholy
2) dwindling, maimed, angry, vengeful
3) bountiful, handicapped, wrathful, vengeful
4) waning, maimed, angrier, malevolent
5) declining, incapacitated, mirthful, vindictive

Solution
‘Supplies of clean water and food’ in this context cannot be ‘bountiful’ when civilians are trapped. Thus, option 3 is eliminated.
‘Mutilated’, ‘maimed’ and ‘incapacitated’ all  mean ‘to deprive the use of some body part by wounding’ and fit into the second blank.
The Swatis cannot be ‘mirthful’,  which means ‘joyous’, eliminating option 5.
'More angrier' is incorrect grammar due to double comparison. Eliminate option 4.
Option 1 is eliminated since the Swatis were angry with their government and not sad. ‘Dejected’ and ‘melancholy’ both mean ‘sad’ or ‘depressed’.
‘Malevolent’ means ‘to wish harm to others’ whereas ‘vengeful’ means ‘to seek vengeance’ or become ‘revengeful’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

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Verbal Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-
The question below consists of a set of labelled parts of sentences. These sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the options.
    A. and apparently the most remote from all useful application
    B. and in the succeeding one, perhaps, by proper simplification and reduction to tables
    C. become in the next age the bases of profound physical inquiries
    D. it happens that truths which are at one period the most abstract
    E. in mathematical science, more than in all others
    F. furnish their ready and daily aid to the artist and the sailor

OPTIONS
1) EDACBF
2) DCEFBA
3) FEDACB
4) AFBDCE

Solution
This question tests the test-taker’s appreciation of the subtleties of language and sentence structure - how ideas are proceeded in a given statement.
In option 2 the flow of ideas from C to E and from E to F has an abrupt change. Also the idea of ‘ in the succeeding one’ presented in B does not connect with anything spoken of in F, the previous statement. This eliminates option 2
Option 4 may appear compelling but has a problem in the flow of ideas from A to F. The word’ furnish’ in F does not connect with anything in the previous statement A. It should have been ‘furnishing’ instead of ‘furnish’ so that all the ideas spoken of in statements A, F and B can be attributed to ‘the truths’ in D. This eliminates option 4.
Similarly option 3 should have begun with ‘furnishing’ in statement F instead of ‘furnish’. This eliminates option 3.
By elimination, option 1 is the best option. There is a smooth flow of ideas in each succeeding statement and the sentence logically ends with statement F connecting well with the preceding statement B.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

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Quantitative Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-
In a class in a certain school, there are 25 students. Four students are appointed monitors every day. At the end of a term, it is found that every possible pair of students have been monitors together exactly once. How many days are there in the term?

OPTIONS
1) 30
2) 50
3) 60
4) 75
5) None of these

Solution
Every possible pair of students have been monitors together exactly once.
∴ Number of days in the term = ( Total number of unique pairs possible in the class)/(Number of pairs formed per day) 
Since a unique pair will be formed when 2 students are selected as monitors on a given day, the total number of unique pairs possible in the class is the same as the total number of ways in which 2 students can be selected from 25 students. 
Total number of ways of selecting 2 students from 25 students will be -

Every day, 4 students are selected as monitors.
Therefore, number of pairs formed per day will be =

∴ Number of days in the term = 300/6 = 50
Hence, option 2.

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Verbal Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-
The question below contains a number of sentences. Each sentence has pairs of word(s)/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted word(s)/phrase(s), select the most appropriate word(s)/phrase(s) to form correct sentences. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
    1. The scholarship will take the form of a partial fee waver (A) waiver (B)
    2. Be weary (A) wary (B) of emails claiming that you've won a prize.
    3. My doctor prescribed antibiotics, which didn't work and made me feel very nauseous (A) nauseated (B).
    4. Two bright new stars appeared on the horizon lightening (A) lightning (B) the gloom.
    5. All this is the enemy equipment or materiel (A) material (B) captured or found on the battlefield.

OPTIONS

1) AAABA
2) BBBAB
3) AAAAB
4) BAABA
5) BBBAA

Solution
“Waiver” means the act of relinquishing. “Waver” is a person who waves.
“Weary” means tired; “wary” means cautious. These words are not interchangeable.
Traditionalists insist that “nauseous” should be used to describe something that makes you want to throw up: something nauseating. When one feels like vomiting, one is “nauseated”.
“Lightening” means become lighter or less dark; brighten. “Lightning” goes with thunder.
One of the meanings of “Materiel” is arms, ammunition, and equipment in general. In the above context, enemy “material” has no meaning.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.

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Quantitative Ability-Question of the Day

Question:-
If the roots of the equation x^3 + 2x^2 – 3x + 1 = 0 are A, B and C, and the roots of the equation x^3 + px^2 + qx + r = 0 are (A + B), (B + C) and (C + A), what is the value of the product pr?

OPTIONS
1) 28
2) −5
3) 1
4) 5
5) –28

Solution
From observation of the coefficients of the second equation, we can see that the product of its roots is –r.
Hence, (A + B)(B + C)(C + A) = −r, or (A + B + C − C)(A + B + C − A)(A + B + C – B) = −r
On observing the coefficients of the first equation, we can see that the sum of its roots is −2.
∴  A + B + C = −2
Hence, (−2 – C)(−2 – A)(−2 – B) = −r, or (2 + A)(2 + B)(2 + C) = r
Thus, (2 + A)(4 + 2B + 2C + BC) = r
∴ 8 + 4(A + B + C) + 2(AB + BC + AC) + ABC = r
From the first equation, AB + BC + AC = –3
∴ 8 + 4(−2) + 2(–3) – 1 = r
∴ r = –7
From the second equation, we can write –p = A + B + B + C + C + A = 2(A + B + C) = 2(−2) = –4
∴ p = 4
∴ pr = 4 × (–7) = –28
Hence, option 5.


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