TOPSCOREGRE

Commonly Confusing Words

2011-12-29T02:14:00.000-08:00

MASTERFUL/MASTERLY

Masterly uses master in the sense of master craftsman. It means of a master-in other words, first-rate: It was a masterly presentation! Masterful uses master in the sense of a dog and its master. It means like a master-in other words, domineering: He was masterful when the strikers confronted him.

NAUSEATED/NAUSEATING/NAUSEOUS

Nauseated means disgusted or sick to one’s stomach. Nauseating and nauseous both mean causing nausea or revulsion. If you want to say that you’re feeling queasy, use nauseated, not nauseous. Her new perfume made me feel nauseated. Her makeup job is nauseating too.

ORAL/VERBAL

Oral means spoken, as opposed to written: She gave me written instructions, and explained them orally. Verbal means having to do with words or language. It can refer to spoken and written words. He has a terrible temper, but he only expresses it verbally, never physically.

PERSECUTE/PROSECUTE

To persecute someone is to continually make trouble for him; to prosecute someone is to press civil or criminal charges against him. Hitler persecuted many ethnic and religious groups. You can’t be prosecuted for making a face at someone.

PORE/POUR

To pour is to dump something out of a container. To pore over something is to read it very intently. If you like a book, you’ll pore over it. If you don’t like it, you might pour your tea on it.

PRECEDE/PROCEED

Precede means come before; proceed means go ahead. A precedes B in the alphabet. As soon as you’ve stopped screaming, we’ll proceed with this meeting.

PREMIER/PREMIERE

Premier as an adjective means most important. (Some people use it to mean first in time, but this usage is almost extinct.) As a noun, it means prime minister. As a noun or verb, premiere means the first performance or exhibit of a play, film, or piece of music. The premier attended the premiere of my new play. The premier reason for doing it is that you’ll be fired if you don’t..

PRINCIPAL/PRINCIPLE

Principle is a noun, meaning a fundamental truth or law; principal is an adjective and a noun, and can mean the head of a school, a sum of money that accrues interest, or a person of the highest rank within a group. The principal of my school didn’t have any principles!” A principle of sound investment is to get a high interest rate for your principal. He’s the principal tenor in the opera company. If you’re referring to a person, you will always use principal rather than principle. Just remember: The principal is your pal!

Frequently Misused Words and Expressions

2011-10-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

CONSENSUS

Consensus: general opinion or position acceptable to everyone involved.

The consensus was that he wouldn't stay with the company much longer.

Republicans and Democrats tried to reach a consensus on the bill.

Consensus does not mean majority.

And don’t say consensus of opinion.

DIFFERENT THAN

Different than is now so common that many people consider it standard. However, we must discourage this ugly construction. Use different from!

A man’s viewpoint is different from a woman’s.

EKE OUT

Many writers mistakenly use the expression eke out to mean barely achieve.

The horse eked out a narrow victory.

I eked out a tiny profit.

The standard definition of eke out is supplement:

I eked out my salary by winning at the racetrack.

The Thanksgiving turkey was eked out by stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Eke is an old-fashioned word meaning extra or more. The word nickname comes from the centuries-old expression eke-name, which means extra name.

EMPHASIZE

Most of us know that emphasize means give special force or prominence to:

She dressed to emphasize her figure. I emphasized the importance of speaking clearly.

However, some people think emphasize also means feel what the other person is feeling. The word they want is empathize.

I try to empathize with any customer who has a complaint.

ENORMITY

Enormity means heinousness, or dreadfulness. It does not mean immense size.

Because of the enormity of his offense, the judge sentenced him to death.

EQUALLY AS

If you want to sound really illiterate, just use equally as, as in :

I’m equally as fond of Ms. Smith as I am of Ms.Jones.

As is implied in the word equally. In any case, in the above sentence, you shouldn’t use equally at all. Just say, ”I’m as fond…” Use equally to precede a list to which it refers:

I’m equally indebted to my boss, my assistant, my family, and my dog.

EQUIVOCAL/EQUIVOCATE

Equivocal means ambiguous, questionable, or misleading. If you’re equivocating, you’re being deliberately vague or ambiguous in order to avoid committing yourself, or to mislead or confuse the person you’re speaking with. Equivocating is not exactly lying; it’s just not being entirely truthful. The definitions of equivocal and equivocate do not have anything to do with words like equal, equivalent, or equate.

IRREGARDLESS

Strictly speaking, it’s not true that there is no such word as irregardless. Since so many people use it, we have to admit that it’s a word. However, it’s an illiterate word, and has no place in business writing. Use regardless.

LITERALLY

Many writers use literally when they mean figuratively.

He literally stuck a knife in my heart and twisted it.

Really? Then why aren’t you dead? This is a very easy mistake to make. Many of us throw in the word literally as a “flavoring particle,” just to make the sentence a little stronger-as you might say. “He’s a total fool,” instead of “He’s a fool.” Only use literally when you have to emphasize the fact that you really do mean something literally: After the burial, he literally danced on her grave. I was disgusted by this display of hatred.

MAJORITY

A majority means more than half. It does not mean the most. A plurality means more than any of the others, but not more than half. In other words, if Ms. Smith got 53 percent of the votes, she would have a majority. If she got 48 percent, Mr. Jones got 40 percent, and Ms. Brown got 12 percent, Ms. Smith would have a plurality, not a majority, If more than half the people in a town were Catholic, then the Catholics would be in the majority. If the religious breakdown were 45 percent Catholic, 20 percent Protestant, 15 percent Jewish, 10 percent Buddhist, and 10 percent Muslim, then the Catholics would have a very large plurality, but not a majority. Plurality also refers to the difference between one number and another. If the 435-member House of Representatives had 218 Republicans, 190 Democrats, 20 Communists, and 7 Liberatarians, then the Republicans would have a majority of one. (That is, 218 is one seat more than half of the total.) They would have a plurality of 28 over the Democrats.

MOMENTARILY

Momentarily means for a moment, not in a moment. If you say,”I’ll be back momentarily,” it means, I’ll be back, but only for a short time.” If you mean to say that .you won’t be gone long, say, “I’ll be back soon.”

PARTY

Party can mean a group of people: Mr. Jones and his party means Mr. Jones and the people he brought with him. A person can be a party to a contract, in a legal document, or party to a conspiracy. Party is not a synonym for person. Don’ say, “The party I spoke to yesterday,” if you’re referring to one person.

PENULTIMATE

Penultimate means next to last. It does not mean highest or greatest. Some people use phrases like, This meeting is of penultimate importance, probably because penultimate is such an impressive-sounding word.

PRESENTLY

Presently means soon or shortly thereafter.

I’ll be back presently.

He lay on the floor sobbing for a while, but presently he composed himself.

Presently does not mean now. At present does.

Chapter 103: SEX and MURDER

2011-03-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

The celebrated writer Seema Musthafa has written today in Deccan Chronicle daily on gender discrimination. (I hope you still remember the idea of discrimination we discussed in an earlier post. When we discriminate on the basis of GENDER, the DISCRIMINATION is called SEXISM.). One of the HORRID (terrible) consequences of SEXISM is female FOETICIDE.

Killing an EMBRYO is called FOETICIDE, just as killing a CHILD is called INFANTICIDE.
When we kill a KING or a QUEEN we call that murder REGICIDE.
On the other hand, the murder of a HUMAN is called HOMICIDE, and the killing of one’s own SELF, SUICIDE.

Another horrid result of SEXISM is UXORICIDE.
UXORICIDE is the murder of one’s WIFE.
Incidentally, when you love your wife too much, you are called UXORIOUS.
When you are UXORIOUS, you DOTE on your wife.

(When you DOTE, you shower excessive love; when you LIKE, you show mild love. In the same way, when you UPRAID you show excessive disapproval, whereas when you when you REPROACH you show mild disapproval.

Hence, REPROACH: UPBRAID

LIKE: DOTE)

When we kill our BROTHER, the killing is called FRATRICIDE. (There’s a popular novel called “FRATRICIDE” by the Greek writer Kazantzakis.)
Killing our FATHER is termed PATRICIDE, while killing our MOTHER is MATRICIDE. When it comes to the murder of our sister, it is SORRORICIDE.

Let us now get these different murders in the ANALOGY mode.

FATHER: PATRICIDE

MOTHER: MATRICIDE

BROTHER: FRATRICIDE

SISTER: SORRORICIDE

WIFE: UXORICIDE

HUMAN: HOMICIDE

QUEEN: REGICIDE

SELF: SUICIDE

CHILD: INFANTICIDE

EMBRYO: FOETICIDE

I think it’s enough murders for a day.
We will meet again in the next post.

Chapter 103: Valentine

2011-03-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

It was Valentine’s Day yesterday. The world, especially the young world, was in the celebratory mode. When love is in the air, we become tender and kinder. We share and care. A sense of SOLICITUDE envelopes us.

SOLICITUDE is the feeling of CONCERN for others.

When we do not care for the feelings of others, we become insensitive. We are then UNCORNCERNED. The following words are the
SYNONYMS of UNCONCERN:

NONCHALANCE
APATHY
INDIFFERENCE

The three words allude to a LACK OF CONCERN for others, i.e, a LACK OF SOLICITUDE. Hence, INDIFFERENCE can be the ANTONYM of SOLICITUDE.

SOLICITUDE x INDIFFERNCE

If we are INDIFFERENT, we can be called CALLOUS, UNFEELING in the heart.

The following words are the SYNONMS of CALLOUS:
UNCONCERNED
INDIFFERENT
APATHETIC
NONCHALANT

If we have care and concern for others, we can be called SOLICITOUS. When we are SOLICITOUS, we are full of concern, just as when we are BALEFUL, we are full of evil.

Hence, SOLICITOUS: CONCERN
BALEFUL: MENACE (evil)

If one is BALEFUL, one is full of EVIL. Such a one is WICKED. We can now look at a few words which mean EVIL and WICKED:
EVIL
VILE
VICIOUS
MENACING
MINATORY
MALIGN
MALIGNANT
MALICIOUS
MALEVOLENT
BALEFUL
BANEFUL
OMINOUS
PORTENTUOUS
SINISTER

Words with the prefix MAL generally indicate something evil, just as the prefix BENE indicates something good.
Hence MALIGN (evil) x BENIGN (kindly)
MALEVOLENT (having evil intentions) x BENEVOLENT (having good intentions)
MALEFACTOR (evil-doer) x BENEFACTOR (do-gooder)
MALEDICTION (curse) x BENEDICTION (blessing)

To be alive in a world of love is really a benediction.

Chapter 102: GENDER RELATIONS

2010-11-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes GENDER RELATIONS play a part in the analogy-problems in GRE.

Below we can see a few of these GENDER ANALOGIES.

MALE: FEMALE

HUSBAND: WIFE
MAN: WOMAN
DON: DONA
SENOR: SENORITA
FOX: VIXEN
BULL: COW
STEED/ STALLION: MARE
RAM: EWE
STAG: DOE
DRAKE: DUCK
GANDER:GOOSE
TIGER: TIGRESS
FOX: VIXEN

When we are on to the animals, let’s also examine the sounds made by them.

A “COW”, for instance, makes the sound “MOO”, just as a “SHEEP” makes the sound “BAA”.

Below we have a few ANIMALS and the CHARACTERISTIC SOUNDS they produce.

COW: LOW/MOO
SHEEP: BLEAT
CHICKEN: CLUCK
CROW: CAW
DOG: BAY/BARK
HORSE: NEIGH
PIG: GRUNT/OINK
DUCK: QUACK

100:some problems of ANALOGIES with explanations.

2010-10-09T05:40:00.001-07:00

Below are some problems of ANALOGIES with explanations.

1. PANTRY : FOOD ::

(A) museum : replicas

(B) ship : cargo

(D) armory : weapons

(E) warehouse : storage

The analogy is about a place of storage and what is stored there. A pantry is a place for storing food, just as an armory is a place for storing weapons. So, (D) is the answer.

A museum is a place for keeping artifacts, not replicas (copies). Hence (A) is wrong.

A ship is not a place for keeping cargo. A ship carries cargo. Hence (B) is wrong.

An office is not a place for storing business. Hence (C) is wrong.

A warehouse is a place of storage. It keeps wares, not storage. Hence (E) is wrong.

2. MIRTH : LAUGHTER ::

(A) uncertainty: nod

(B) approval : applause

(D) labor : sweat

(E) love : respect

The analogy is about an emotion and its expression. Laughter expresses mirth (great joy), just as applause expresses approval. So (B) is the answer.

Nod may express approval, but not uncertainty. Hence (A) is wrong.

Alarm (scare) does not express danger. Alarm may be caused by danger. Hence (C) is wrong.

Sweat may be produced by labor, but sweat does not express labor. Hence (D) is wrong.

Respect does not express love. They are two different feelings. Hence (E) is wrong.

3. ABRADED : FRICTION ::

(A) refined : combustion

(B) attenuated : coagulation

(D) strengthened : compression

(E) desiccated : dehydration

The analogy is about cause and effect. Friction causes things to become abraded (worn out), just as dehydration causes things to become desiccated (dry). Hence (E) is the answer.

Combustion does not cause things to get refined (purified). Hence (A) is wrong.

Coagulation (clotting) does not cause things to get attenuated (become thin). Hence (B) is wrong.

Immersion (dipping) does not cause things to get diluted. Hence (C) is wrong.

Compression does not cause things to get strengthened. Hence (E) is wrong.

4. PARSIMONY : MISER ::

(A) temerity : despot

(B) belligerence : traitor

(D) equanimity : guardian

(E) rebelliousness : insurgent

The analogy is about a person and his defining trait. A person of parsimony (miserliness) is called a miser, just as a person of rebelliousness is called an insurgent (rebel). Hence (E) is the answer.

A person of temerity (boldness) is called a daredevil, not a despot (tyrant). Hence (A) is wrong.

A person of belligerence (rebellion) is called a rebel, not a traitor (cheat). Hence (B) is wrong.

A person of remorse (regret) is called a ruer, not a delinquent (misbehaving minor). Hence (C) is wrong.

A person of equanimity (calm) is a person of poise, not a guardian. Hence (D) is wrong.

5. NITPICK : CRITICIZE ::

(A) mock : imitate

(B) complain : argue

(D) fret : vex

(E) cavil : object

The analogy is about words basically having the same meaning, but with difference in their degree of intensity. Nitpick is to criticize too much, just as cavil is to object too much. So, (E) is the answer.

To mock is not to imitate too much, but to imitate comically. Hence (A) is not the answer.

To complain is not to argue too much, but to express dissatisfaction. Hence (B) is not the answer.

To ask and to interrogate are same in degree of intensity. Hence (C) is wrong.

To fret is to worry; to vex is to irritate. The two terms have different meanings. Hence (D) is wrong.

6. FATIGUE : REST ::

(A) gravity : weight

(B) friction : heat

(D) dizziness : vertigo

(E) radiation : light

The words in the given pair are in opposite relationship. Fatigue denotes a want of rest, just as dehydration indicates a want of water. Hence (C) is the answer.

Gravity causes weight. They are not opposites. Hence (A) is wrong.

Friction causes heat. They are not opposites. Hence (B) is not the answer.

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness. Hence (D) is wrong

Light is a kind of radiation. Hence (E) is wrong.

7. RECYCLE : DISPOSAL ::

(A) recommend : insistence

(B) reciprocate : treatment

(D) attach : conquest

(E) offer : sale

The concept of recycling is against the concept of disposal, just as the concept of demolition (destruction) is against the concept of rehabilitation (saving). Hence (C) is the answer.

Insistence is a stronger form of recommendation. Hence (A) is wrong.

Treatment is in expectation of reciprocation. Hence (B) is wrong.

Conquest results in attachment of properties. Hence (D) is wrong.

Sale is what we offer to sell. Hence (E) is not the answer.

8. DICTIONARY : ALPHABETICAL ::

(A) map : contoured

(B) diary : anecdotal

(D) narrative : prosaic

(E) annals : chronological

Items in a dictionary are arranged in alphabetical order, just as items in the annals (record of historical events) are arranged in chronological order. Hence (E) is the answer. The analogy is about the order of items in a book.

In (A) ‘contoured’ (outlined) does not refer to any order of items in a map. Hence it is wrong.

In (B) ‘anecdotal’ (descriptive of amusing events) does not indicate any order of items in a diary. So, it is wrong.

In (C) 'outlined’ does not denote any order of items in an outline. So it is wrong.

In (D) ’prosaic’ (dull) does not denote any order in a narrative. So, it is wrong.

9. ATTENUATE : THICKNESS ::

(A) separate : substance

(B) ventilate : circulation

(D) relocate : site

(E) debilitate : strength

In the given pair the first word reduces the second. Attenuate means to reduce the thickness, just as debilitate (weaken) means to reduce the strength. So, (E) is the answer.

To separate is not to reduce substance. So, (A) is wrong

To ventilate is not to reduce circulation. So, (B) is wrong.

To vaccinate is not to reduce immunity. So, (C) is wrong.

To relocate is not to reduce site. So, (D) is wrong.

10. SATIRE : RIDICULE ::

(A) oration : enmity

(B) lullaby : dream

(D) elegy : sorrow

(E) sonnet : remembrance

A satire expresses ridicule, just as an elegy expresses sorrow. Hence, (D) is the answer.

An oration (speech) does not necessarily express enmity. So, (A) is wrong.

A lullaby (song for lulling babies) does not express dream. So, (B) is wrong.

A parody does not express any praise. So, (C) is wrong.

A sonnet need not necessarily express remembrance. So, (E) is wrong.

11. STOIC : PERTURB ::

(A) perplexed : enlighten

(B) nondescript : neglect

(D) avaricious : satisfy

(E) daunting : bewilder

The analogy is one of impossibility. It is impossible to perturb (disturb) someone who is stoic (keeping cool in any adversity), just as it is impossible to satisfy someone who is avaricious (extremely greedy). So, (D) is the answer.

One who is perplexed (confused) needs enlightening. So, (A) is wrong.

One who is nondescript is generally neglected. So, (B) is wrong.

Tranquil means pacified. So, (C) is wrong.

Daunting (discouraging and formidable) may bewilder (confuse) some people. So, (E) is wrong.

12. EXCULPATORY : ABSOLVE ::

(A) motivational : stir

(B) conventional : resist

(D) pedantic : learn

(E) ponderous : choose

The given pair of words consists of synonym variants. ‘Exculpatory’ means absolving, just as ‘motivational’ means stirring. Hence, (A) is the answer.

‘Conventional’ does not mean resisting. So, (B) is wrong.

‘Rhetorical’ does not mean speaking; it is speaking pompously or dramatically. So, (C) is wrong.

‘Pedantic’ is not learning, but showing off learning. So, (D) is wrong.

‘Ponderous’ means heavy, not choosing. So, (E) is wrong.

13. MODERATE : INTENSITY ::

(A) extenuate : seriousness

(B) separate : distance

(D) commemorate : memorial

(E) disparage : animosity

To moderate is to reduce intensity, just as to extenuate (lighten) is to reduce seriousness. So, (A) is the answer.

To separate does not mean to reduce distance. So, (B) is wrong

To indulge does not mean to reduce chaos (confusion). So,(C) is wrong.

To commemorate is to memorialize. So, (D) is wrong.

To disparage (look down upon) does not mean to reduce animosity (hatred). So (E) is wrong.

An Introduction to GRE (VERBAL) Prep.

2010-08-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

There's more to GRE Verbal Prep than just learning words and building a fund of vocabulary.

If one wants to top-score, one must be able to ideate.

Ideation can be practiced by associations, which , in turn, will help construct analogies.

Let's start ideating with the word,'explode'.

Explode in its common sense anyone knows, but one may not know its special usage in the context of a theory or story.What does it mean to say, "Darwin exploded the myth of creationism?" Someone once hypothesized that god created humans.Many accepted it as a theory.The theory of creationism. Ages later many took the theory to be true. Thus the theory became a myth.The myth of creationism.Then came Darwin. Charles Darwin. He hypothesized that humans were not created,but had evolved from other forms of life.He found some evidence to support his hypothesis. It became a theory. The theory of evolutionism.Many now take it as absolute truth.It has become a myth. The myth of evolutionism.Darwin exposed the flaws in creationism and thus destroyed it.Darwin exploded the myth.In other words, he debunked the theory. (To debunk is to expose the weakness)

Now, look at the following analogies:

DEBUNK:THEORY

EXPLODE :MYTH

The first pair of words is, in a way, the same in meaning as the second pair.To debunk a theory is to invalidate it. To explode a myth is to invalidate it. Suppose your theory is a building; then, when you debunk the theory, you demolish(cut down to the ground)the building.If your building is a tree, when you raze(demolish)the building you fell the tree.If you take your tree as an opponent or enemy, when you fell the tree you level your opponent. Hence,

BUILDING:RAZE

is the same as

TREE :FELL

is the same as

OPPONENT:LEVEL

Now, let's revert to the word fell.

We generally fell trees,i.e., cut them down to the ground to get timber.The opposite of fell can be erect or build. As we already know,fell is to cut down trees. That way we get timber, in the same way as we get stone by quarrying. Hence,

FELL : TIMBER

QUARRY : STONE

Let's examine this word STONE a little more. Did you know the seed of the fruit DATE is called stone, just as we call the seed or nut of an OAK tree ACORN?

An acorn grows into an oak, just as a CATERPILLAR grows into a MOTH or BUTTERFLY. Or, much as a ROE(fish egg) grows into a SALMON (fish).

So we have analogies like

OAK: ACORN

just as

SALMON: ROE

just as

FROG: TADPOLE

just as

MOTH: CATERPILLAR

2010-07-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

CONSENSUS

Consensus: general opinion or position acceptable to everyone involved.

The consensus was that he wouldn’t stay with the company much longer. Republicans and Democrats tried to reach a consensus on the bill.

Consensus does not mean majority. And don’t say consensus of opinion.

DIFFERENT THAN

Different than is now so common that many people consider it standard. However, we must discourage this ugly construction. Use different from!

A man’s viewpoint is different from a woman’s.

EKE OUT

Many writers mistakenly use the expression eke out to mean barely achieve.

The horse eked out a narrow victory.

I eked out a tiny profit.

The standard definition of eke out is supplement:

I eked out my salary by winning at the racetrack.

The Thanksgiving turkey was eked out by stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Eke is an old-fashioned word meaning extra or more. The word nickname comes from the centuries-old expression eke-name, which means extra name.

EMPHASIZE

Most of us know that emphasize means give special force or prominence to:

She dressed to emphasize her figure. I emphasized the importance of speaking clearly.

However, some people think emphasize also means feel what the other person is feeling. The word they want is empathize.

I try to empathize with any customer who has a complaint.

ENORMITY

Enormity means heinousness, or dreadfulness. It does not mean immense size.

Because of the enormity of his offense, the judge sentenced him to death.

EQUALLY AS

If you want to sound really illiterate, just use equally as, as in :

I’m equally as fond of Ms. Smith as I am of Ms.Jones.

As is implied in the word equally. In any case, in the above sentence, you shouldn’t use equally at all. Just say, ”I’m as fond…” Use equally to precede a list to which it refers:

I’m equally indebted to my boss, my assistant, my family, and my dog.

EQUIVOCAL/EQUIVOCATE

IRREGARDLESS

LITERALLY

Many writers use literally when they mean figuratively.

He literally stuck a knife in my heart and twisted it.

MAJORITY

MOMENTARILY

PARTY

PENULTIMATE

PRESENTLY

Presently means soon or shortly thereafter.

I’ll be back presently.

He lay on the floor sobbing for a while, but presently he composed himself.

Presently does not mean now. At present does.

CHAPTER 22: LET'S BE ANGRY TODAY

2010-06-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Let's take the word, IRE.
IRE as a noun refers to great ANGER.
All the following words denote GREAT ANGER:

RAGE

WRATH

FURY

INDIGNATION

IRE

When we’re full of IRE, we’re IRATE.
IRATE means very angry. The following are the SYNONYMS of IRATE:

WRATHFUL

INDIGNANT

INFURIATED

FURIOUS

ENRAGED

INCENSED

When we INCENSE others, ENRAGE them; make them angry.
When we PROPITIATE others, we PLEASE them; make them happy to get into their good books.
Hence,
INCENSE x PROPITIATE

When we PLEASE people with ulterior motives, we APPEASE them. All the following terms are SIMILAR in meaning to APPEASE:

WHEEDLE

COAX

CAJOLE

PLACATE

APPEASE

CONCILIATE

BLANDISH

The things we use to BLANDISH, we call SOPS (BLANDISHMENTS). All the CONCESSIONS people receive are SOPS, things meant to PACIFY or PLEASE people. FLATTERY is another form of BLANDISHMENT.

The following ANALOGIES are all similar in their relationships:

SOP (BLANDISHMENT): COAX {We use SOP to COAX [appease].}

FLATTERY: APPEASE {We use FLATTERY to APPEASE.}

CONCESSION: PLACATE {We use CONCESSION to PLACATE [pacify].}

MEDAL: HONOR {We use a MEDAL to HONOR others.}

THREATS: COERCE {We use THREATS to COERCE [force] others.}

CHAPTER21: A FEW MORE ANALOGIES TO SOLVE

2010-06-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more ANALOGIES to solve:

The SOLUTIONS are colored.

32. PANTRY : FOOD ::

(A) museum : replicas

(B) ship : cargo

(D) armory : weapons

(E) warehouse : storage

33. MIRTH : LAUGHTER ::

(A) uncertainty : nod

(B) approval : applause

(D) labor : sweat

(E) love : respect

34. ABRADED : FRICTION ::

(A) refined : combustion

(B) attenuated : coagulation

(D) strengthened : compression

(E) desiccated : dehydration

35. PARSIMONY : MISER ::

(A) temerity : despot

(B) belligerence : traitor

(D) equanimity : guardian

(E) rebelliousness : insurgent

36. NITPICK : CRITICIZE ::

(A) mock : imitate

(B) complain : argue

(D) fret : vex

(E) cavil : object

37. FATIGUE : REST ::

(A) gravity : weight

(B) friction : heat

(D) dizziness : vertigo

(E) radiation : light

38. RECYCLE : DISPOSAL ::

(A) recommend : insistence

(B) reciprocate : treatment

(D) attach : conquest

(E) offer : sale

39. DICTIONARY : ALPHABETICAL ::

(A) map : contoured

(B) diary : anecdotal

(D) narrative : prosaic

(E) annals : chronological

40. ATTENUATE : THICKNESS ::

(A) separate : substance

(B) ventilate : circulation

(D) relocate : site

(E) debilitate : strength

41. SATIRE : RIDICULE ::

(A) oration : enmity

(B) lullaby : dream

(D) elegy : sorrow

(E) sonnet : remembrance

42. STOIC : PERTURB ::

(A) perplexed : enlighten

(B) nondescript : neglect

(D) avaricious : satisfy

(E) daunting : bewilder

43. EXCULPATORY : ABSOLVE ::

(A) motivational : stir

(B) conventional : resist

(D) pedantic : learn

(E) ponderous : choose

44. MODERATE : INTENSITY ::

(A) extenuate : seriousness

(B) separate : distance

(D) commemorate : memorial

(E) disparage : animosity

45. JOLT : MOVE ::

(A) possess : acquire

(B) arrive : remain

(D) spiral : turn

(E) rattle : hear

46. EXEMPT : LIABILITY ::

(A) flout : authority

(B) bestow : reward

(D) restrain : disorder

(E) pardon : penalty

47. FULL-BODIED : FLAVOR ::

(A) penetrating : vision

(B) humorous : character

(D) nostalgic : feeling

(E) resonant : sound

48. LEGACY : PREDECESSOR ::

(A) gift : donor

(B) gratuity : service

(D) receipt : customer

(E) loan : collector

49. HERO : ADMIRABLE ::

(A) critic : capricious

(B) braggart : surly

(D) anarchist : powerful

(E) enemy : immoral

50. GALVANIZE : STIMULATE ::

(A) agitate : occlude

(B) incubate : humidify

(D) irrigate : flush

CHAPTER19: ANALOGY: SOLUTIONS

2010-06-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

The following are the solutions to the problems of analogies in the previous post.
The first pair is the problem and the second the solution.

1. REPELLENT : ATTRACT ::
ephemeral :endure
Just as a REPELLENT never attracts, an EPHEMERAL never ENDURES.

2. ANARCHIST : GOVERNMENT::
    abolitionist : slavery
Just as an ANARCHIST does not want any GOVERNMENT, an ABOLITIONIST does not want any SLAVERY.

3. ADMONISH : DENOUNCE ::
    punish : pillory
The second term in the pairs is more severe than the first.

4. JOKE : PUNCH LINE ::
   plot : denouement
The second indicates the climax of the first.

5. VEER : DIRECTION ::
    convert : belief
The first term in the pairs indicates a turning away from the second

. 6. REPROBATE : MISBEHAVE ::
      sycophant : fawn
The second term in the pairs denotes the function of the first.

7. IMPERVIOUS : PENETRATE ::
    ineluctable : avoid
It is impossible to penetrate the impervious, just as it is impossible to avoid the ineluctable.

8. CONSENSUS : FACTIONALISM ::
    clarity : confusion
Where there is consensus there is no factionalism; where there is clarity, there is no confusion.

9. MARTINET : DISCIPLINE ::
    pedant : learning
A martinet is a person of discipline; a pedant is a person of learning.

10. CENSUS : POPULATION ::
      inventory : stock
The first term denotes a detailed list of the second.

11. AUTHENTICITY : FRAUDULENT :
      sincerity : hypocritical
The first is the antonym variant of the second.

12. VARNISH : GLOSSY ::
      sand : smooth
We varnish a thing to make it glossy; in the same way, we sand a thing to make it look smooth.

13. AMENITY : COMFORTABLE ::
      honorarium : grateful
The first term makes us feel the second.

14. PAIN : ANALGESIC ::
     symptom : palliative
The second term relieves us from the first.

15. VOICE :SHOUT ::
      hand : clutch
The first has to be very strong to perform the second.

16. PONTIFICATE : SPEAK ::
     strut : walk
The first one is a proud show of the second.

17. BIBLIOPHILE : BOOKS ::
      gourmet : food
The first loves the second.

18. INDIGENT : WEALTH ::
      redundant : indispensability
The first is the antonym variant of the second.

19. PROGRAM : CONCERT ::
     agenda : meeting
The first is the plan for the second.

20. EMBRACE : AFFECTION ::
     shrug : indifference
The first indicates the second.

21. ENTHUSIASM : MANIA ::
      suspicion : paranoia
The second refers to a mad degree of the first.

22. ANONYMOUS : IDENTIFY ::
      nonchalant : excite
It is impossible to do the second to the first.

23. CARTOGRAPHER : MAP ::
      tailor : clothing
The second is the creation of the first.

24. EXEMPLARY : IMITATION ::
      redoubtable : regard
The first one is worthy of the second.

25. INSENSITIVE : BOOR ::
      mischievous : imp
The first describes the second.

26. LABYRINTHINE : SIMPLICITY ::
      jejune : interest
The pairs are antonym variants.

27. EUPHEMISM : OFFENSIVE ::
      aphorism : diffuse
The first is against the second.

28. OIL : LUBRICATE ::
      antiseptic : disinfect
The second is the use of the first.

29. CONSTRUCT : REMODEL ::
      compose : edit
The second is an improvement on the first.

30. SPOKE : HUB ::
      radius : center Spoke is the radius to the hub.

A Few Problems of Analogies

2010-06-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I want you to solve the following problems of analogy that appeared in recent GRE tests. I have not included the answers for the problems in this post. You will get them in the next post.

1. REPELLENT : ATTRACT ::
(A) elastic : stretch
(B) sensitive : cooperate
(C) progressive : change
(D) flammable : ignite
(E) ephemeral : endure

2. ANARCHIST : GOVERNMENT ::
(A) legislator : taxation
(B) reformer : bureaucracy
(C) jurist : law
(D) suffragist : voting
(E) abolitionist : slavery

3. ADMONISH : DENOUNCE ::
(A) challenge : overcome
(B) reward : praise
(C) control : contain
(D) persuade : convince
(E) punish : pillory

4. JOKE : PUNCH LINE ::
(A) sermon : congregation
(B) conceit : allegory
(C) rhetoric : persuasion
(D) conspiracy : arrest
(E) plot : denouement

5. VEER : DIRECTION ::
(A) align : connection
(B) filter : contamination
(C) convert : belief
(D) deflect : motivation
(E) substantiate : authenticity

6. REPROBATE : MISBEHAVE ::
(A) sycophant : fawn
(B) critic : rebuke
(C) ruffian : tease
(D) cynic : brood
(E) narcissist : covet

7. IMPERVIOUS : PENETRATE ::
(A) ineluctable : avoid
(B) ineradicable : damage
(C) boorish : flatter
(D) irrepressible : censure
(E) disruptive : restrain

8. CONSENSUS : FACTIONALISM ::
(A) ritual : orthodoxy
(B) reality : plausibility
(C) reason : thought
(D) clarity : confusion
(E) leadership : subordination

9. MARTINET : DISCIPLINE ::
(A) illusionist : misdirection
(B) dilettante : commitment
(C) renegade : allegiance
(D) pedant : learning
(E) hack : writing

10. CENSUS : POPULATION ::
(A) interrogation : guilt
(B) survey : price
(C) interview : personality
(D) questionnaire : explanation
(E) inventory : stock

11. AUTHENTICITY : FRAUDULENT :
(A) morality : utopian
(B) intensity : vigorous
(C) sincerity : hypocritical
(D) particularity : unique
(E) plausibility : narrated

12. VARNISH : GLOSSY ::
(A) sharpen : blunt
(B) measure : deep
(C) sand : smooth
(D) approximate : precise
(E) anchor : unstable

13. AMENITY : COMFORTABLE ::
(A) tact : circumspect
(B) nuisance : aggravated
(C) honorarium : grateful
(D) favorite : envious
(E) lounge : patient

14. PAIN : ANALGESIC ::
(A) energy : revitalization
(B) interest : stimulation
(C) symptom : palliative
(D) despair : anxiety
(E) reward : incentive

15. VOICE :SHOUT ::
(A) ear : overhear
(B) eye : see (C)
hand : clutch (D)
nerve : feel (E)
nose : inhale

16. PONTIFICATE : SPEAK ::
(A) strut : walk
(B) stare : look
(C) patronize : frequent
(D) eulogize : mourn
(E) reciprocate : give

17. BIBLIOPHILE : BOOKS ::
(A) environmentalist : pollution
(B) zoologist : animals
(C) gourmet : food
(D) calligrapher : handwriting
(E) aviator : aircraft

18. INDIGENT : WEALTH ::
(A) presumptuous : independence
(B) imperturbable : determination
(C) inevitable : inescapability
(D) indigestible : sustenance
(E) redundant : indispensability

19. PROGRAM : CONCERT ::
(A) bibliography : book
(B) menu : entree
(C) questionnaire : poll
(D) platform : campaign
(E) agenda : meeting

20. EMBRACE : AFFECTION ::
(A) prediction : memory
(B) innuendo : secrecy
(C) shrug : indifference
(D) conversation : familiarity
(E) vote : unanimity

21. ENTHUSLASM : MANIA ::
(A) idea : inspiration
(B) nightmare : hallucination
(C) failure : disgust
(D) suspicion : paranoia
(E) energy : fitness

22. ANONYMOUS : IDENTIFY ::
(A) nonchalant : excite
(B) repressed : constrain
(C) misled : trust
(D) annoying : assist
(E) unremarkable : please

23. CARTOGRAPHER : MAP ::
(A) astronomer : stars
(B) carpenter : wood
(C) lumberjack : saw
(D) tailor : clothing
(E) weaver : loom

24. EXEMPLARY : IMITATION ::
(A) venerable : denigration
(B) novel : duplication
(C) redoubtable : regard
(D) challenging : determination
(E) creditable : verification

25. INSENSITIVE : BOOR ::
(A) spontaneous : extrovert
(B) mischievous : imp
(C) conformist : ally
(D) officious : zealot
(E) extravagant : miser

26. LABYRINTHINE : SIMPLICITY ::
(A) epic : scope
(B) digressive : motive
(C) heretical : sincerity
(D) austere : design
(E) jejune : interest

27. EUPHEMISM : OFFENSIVE ::
(A) rhetoric : persuasive
(B) aphorism : diffuse
(C) metaphor : descriptive
(D) repetition : fatiguing
(E) conciliation : appeasing

28. OIL : LUBRICATE ::
(A) preservative : desiccate
(B) wine : ferment
(C) honey : pollinate
(D) antiseptic : disinfect
(E) soil : fertilize

29. CONSTRUCT : REMODEL ::
(A) exhibit : perform
(B) compose : edit
(C) demolish : repair
(D) quantify : estimate
(E) predict : assess

30. SPOKE : HUB ::
(A) radius : center
(B) parabola : equation
(C) line : point
D) vector : direction
(E) slope : change

CHAPTER 17: THE RAIN

2010-05-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

It has been very cold for the last few days. The schools in Delhi have been given holidays. The roads in the North have become white carpets. They look like the shroud of dead bodies. To say the truth, I have been feeling very uneasy for some time. It is as though the smell and feel of DEATH is all around. I can say there has been an AVALANCHE along the mountainside of my mind scape.

An AVALANCHE is a huge slide of snow, just as a LANDSLIDE is a huge slide of rocks.
The path of the AVALANCHE is the MOUNTAINSIDE, just as the path of a FLOOD is the FLOODPLAIN.

Hence,

INUNDATION (flood): FLOODPLAIN

AVALANCHE (snow slide): MOUNTAINSIDE

The following are the SYNONYMS of
FLOOD
SPATE
DELUGE
INUNDATION

To INUNDATE is to FLOOD or OVERFILL.

Hence,

INUNDATE x DRAIN (empty)

FLOOD x DEPLETE (empty)

DEPLETE can be taken as the ANTONYM of REPLENISH.

To REPLENISH is to REFILL.

REPLENISH x DEPLETE

DEPLETED x REPLETE (full)

When we are REPLETE with food, we have absorbed as much food as we can; jut as when a SPONGE is SATURATED, it has absorbed as much liquid as it can.
Hence,

SPONGE: SATURATED

DINER: REPLETE

Let us get back to “DELUGE.”
Flooding rain is also called DELUGE.
A DROPLET is a tiny member of DELUGE, just as a PEBBLE is a tiny member of a LANDSLIDE,
or an ICICLE is a tiny member of an AVALANCHE.
So,

AVALANCHE: ICICLE

LANDSLIDE: PEBBLE

DELUGE: DROPLET

DELUGE refers to a large quantity of rain pouring down from the sky.
When a large number of explosives pour down from the sky we call it a BARRAGE.
Thus,

DELUGE: RAIN

is the same as

BARRAGE: EXPLOSIVES.

When it rains suddenly and strongly we call the RAIN a CLOUDBURST.
When the WIND appears suddenly and strongly, we call it a GUST.
In the same way, sudden and strong appearance of LIGHT we call a FLARE.
Sudden and unexpected appearance of WATER or BLOOD we call a SPURT.
Thus,

BLOOD: SPURT

LIGHT: FLARE

WIND: GUST

RAIN: CLOUDBURST

Today, we’ll stop at this.

College Admission Essays

2010-05-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

The Importance of College Admission Essay

Why the College Admission Essay Is Important and How You can Write a Good College Admission Essay

Well, as a student, you now want to secure a seat in a reputable college. In fact, you have, all through these years, been dreaming about getting admission to some illustrious college to enhance your further education.

What, do you think, is it that makes you eligible for college admission? Your academic competence? Your excellence in activities other than the curricular merit? The flawless letters of recommendation from your teachers? Certificates of your irreproachable conduct? Of course, all these factors do matter. However, the colleges would like to assess one more of your skills: your competence in creating an excellent CollegeAdmission Essay, an extremely important factor in deciding your merit for admission.

Any college worth its repute would like to know what kind of student it is admitting to its courses. Your essay for college admission enables the authorities concerned to measure various aspects of your attitude and potentials. It will mirror how you have approached the topic, how painstakingly you have researched, how well you have marshaled your thoughts, and how good you are at your skills of language. The college authorities will see whether your essay has an arresting introduction and whether your conclusion is comprehensive and your line of thinking rational as well as imaginative. In short, your College Admission Essay will be a reliable mirror of your personality and will help the authorities gain an insight into your aptitude to decide whether you fit into their system.

Many an eminent college has turned down the applications of any students as their essays have been sloppy in form and incoherent in content. So, it is extremely important that you carefully think before you ink your College Admission Essay.

How do you write an essay the college of your dream will not set aside? Writing any essay involves four indispensable steps:

Thinking, which some pompously call brainstorming, about the topic,

Putting down the ideas on paper and organizing them into a coherent whole,

Writing the essay, and

Editing it.

To begin the first step of thinking, you just have to read the assigned topic and get the ‘key phrase’. Suppose your College Admission Essay asks you to state your purpose of seeking admission, your key word will be ‘purpose’. Ask yourself why you chose your course and why you chose the college of your preference? What motivated you to pursue that specific discipline and that particular institution? Pin down the motivation and find out what that motivation is driving you toward. Articulate what situations and innate gifts propelled you toward the subject of your study. Delineate what you, your community, and your college will stand to gain, once you finish your course.

After jotting down your random thoughts, organize them. Prioritize your ideas. Decide which ideas you would like to keep as salient and which you would like to subordinate. Form them into crude paragraphs.

Now, here comes the real writing! First, you need to construct an introduction to your College Admission Essay. As you know, a job well-begun is a job almost done. Let your imagination come into full play at this stage. It will be worthwhile to begin with a quotation. Needless to say, the quote must be relevant, and in accord with the tone and tenor of your essay. If your essay is about the statement of your purpose, you can use something like, “Nothing is born in this world without some purpose”, or “an unseen and guides everything to its destiny”. Link the quote with your opening statement.

Remember to keep your introduction brief. Present the main idea of your essay in the last sentence of your introduction, which is called the ‘topic sentence’.

After the introduction, select paragraphs from the crude draft you have already made.Remember to discuss each component of your main idea in separate paragraphs. Use reasons and illustrations to reinforce your points. Be systematic in your transitions from idea to idea. Indicate the transition with appropriate linking terms. For example, if you are moving to a contrasting point, use a word like ‘however’.

As you write your College Admission Essay, pay heed to your language. Use more positive words; use the negatives only to create specific impact; employ the appropriate vocabulary; pronouns must match with their nouns; subjects must agree with their verbs; and prepositions must be properly placed. While concluding, briefly recapitulate your main points. As you draw to the last sentence allude to the quote with which you began. Let the last sentence of your College Admission Essay as well be a quote related to the prefatory quote.

Once you have readied your College Admission Essay, go through it with a comb.Emend your text: correct the spellings, rephrase awkward expressions, and replace or remove irrelevant words. Thus hone your essay to possible perfection.

To conclude, writing your College Admission Essay is a painstaking task. But it is worth the effort as a well-written essay for admission almost ensures admission to the college of you dream.

Wish you all all the best.

Chapter 16: INTERLUDES

2010-05-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

THE INTERLUDES

I’ve been off for a few days from the spot. I thought today will be a good day to resume the writing. When we RESUME an activity we take it up again after an interval. We come back to our work after a period of ABEYANCE.

ABEYANCE is the temporary stoppage of an activity, or suspension.
Hence,

ABEYANCE x RESUMPTION

SUSPENSION x CONTINUATION

An interval indicates a temporary period of inactivity. During a PLAY we get an interval, which we can call an INTERLUDE. An interlude is the same as a GAP in an ACTIVITY. Such a gap can be termed a HIATUS. The temporary relief from a STORM we call a LULL. Even the break in DEBATE can also be termed a LULL. In the same fashion, a temporary relief from a DISEASE can be termed a REMISSION, and a temporary stoppage of punishment can be called a REPRIEVE.

All the following pairs of words are, hence, similar in their relationships:

PLAY: INTERLUDE

LABOR: RESPITE

ACTIVITY: HIATUS

PUNISHMENT: REPRIEVE

STORM: LULL

DEBATE: RECESS

DISEASE: REMISSION

In all these cases, the second term indicates a suspension of activity.

LULL as a verb means to PACIFY.
The following words all mean PACIFY in various contexts.

SOOTHE

MOLLIFY

PALLIATE

ASSUAGE

SEDATE

ALLEVIATE

EXTENUATE

MITIGATE

AMELIORATE

An appropriate ANTONYM of for all the above terms can be ‘AGGRAVATE’, i.e, make matters worse or increase the gravity (seriousness) of a situation. AGGRAVATE also can be replaced by EXACERBATE, make matters harsher and more bitter. So we can see that the following are the probable ANTONYM pairs:

ALLEVIATE x AGGRAVATE

MITIGATE x EXACERBATE

SOOTHE x GRATE (irritate)

WORSEN x AMELIORATE

CHAPTER 15: THE CASE OF GRAVITY

2010-03-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

In today’s post we take up the word “GRAVE.”

GRAVE, as an adjective, means SERIOUS.

Let’s have a look at other well known SYNONYMS of SERIOUS:

SOLEMN

SEVERE

GRIEVOUS

SIGNIFICANT

SUBSTANTIAL

CONSEQUENTIAL

All the above words are SERIOUS in various ways.

Let’s take a look at a few ANTONYMS that were earlier asked:

GRIEVOUS x SLIGHT

SUBSTANTIAL x TENUOUS (thin, insubstantial)

GRAVE x BLITHE (light-hear ted, happy)

NUGATORY (insubstantial) x CONSEQUENTIAL

From ‘GRAVE’, we can derive GRAVITY (seriousness).

GRAVITY is the exact opposite of LEVITY (light-heartedness).

GRAVITY x LEVITY

Let’s now look at a few SYNONYMS of LEVITY:

FLIPPANCY

FRIVOLITY

PUERILITY

CHILDISHNESS

INFANTILISM

All the above terms indicate not being serious in situations in which you are expected to be serious, i.e., childish.

When we’re CHILDISH, we can also be called

PUERILE

INFANTILE

FRIVOLOUS

FLIPPANT

FLIP

All these terms mean CHILDISH, not serious.

When we’re FLIP or FLIPPANT, we do not RESPECT the GRAVITY of the situation, just as when we’re NONCHALANT (APATHETIC, INDIFFERENT, UNCONCERNED), we have no CONCERN or feelings for others.

Hence,

FLIP: RESPECT

is similar to

NONCHALANT: CONCERN

Let’s revert to GRAVE and GRAVITY.

When we increase the GRAVITY of a situation, we AGGRAVATE it.

To AGGRAVATE is to increase the seriousness of a situation. To AGGRAVATE is also EXACERBATE, to intensify the harshness or severity, i.e., WORSEN a situation.

For example, take the following Sentence Completion problem.

It was her view that the country’s problems had been ------------- by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counterproductive.

A. foreseen

B. attacked

C. aggravated

D. ascertained

E. analyzed

The writer, in the second part of the sentence, says that inviting the technocrats would be destructive (counterproductive). That means the technocrats would be worsening the problem, rather than solving them, i.e., the technocrats would AGGRAVATE the problems.

When we IRRITATE people, we AGGRAVATE the situation rather than lighten it. Here are a few SYNONYMS of IRRITATE:

GRATE

VEX

ANNOY

NAG

EXASPERATE

PESTER

IRE

PIQUE

Now, let’s take a look at a few ANTONYMS we were earlier asked.

GRATE x SOOTHE

IRE x ALLEVIATE (soothe)

CONSOLE (soothe) x AGGRAVATE GRIEF

To PESTER, as we have seen, is to IRRITATE.

PESTER is from PEST, irritating creature.

Just as an EXPERT is a PROFICIENT (skillful) person, a PEST is an IRKSOME (irritating) person or creature.

EXPERT: PROFICIENT

PEST: IRKSOME

CHAPTER 14: MAXIMUM and MINIMUM

2010-03-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

One of the common themes we find in the section of antonyms is the contrasting of maximizing and minimizing ideas or the ideas of decrease and increase. The following are a few such problems of antonyms that appeared in earlier GREs.

OF DECREASE & INCREASE

1. MINIMIZE

A. report

B. imagine

C. repair

D. overestimate

E. investigate

To OVERESTIMATE is to MAXIMIZE

2. DISTENSION

A. release

B. dilution

C. implosion

D. angularity

E. compression

DISTENSION refers to maximizing and COMPRESSION minimizing

3. ASCEND

A. go down

B. take apart

C. overturn

D. conceal

E. return

ASCEND is to increase and GO DOWN to decrease

4. BULGE

A. depressed region

B. tilted plane

C. steep slope

D. rippled surface

E. short line

BULGE is a maximized area and DEPRESSED REGION a minimized area

5. BURGEON

A. retreat

B. evolve

C. wither

D. sever

E. minimize

BURGEON is to increase and WITHER is to decrease in vigor.

6. BOMBASTIC

A. understated

B. unimpressive

C. derivative

D. enigmatic

E. complex

BOMBASTIC is maximized in speech and UNDERSTATED minimized

7. ABATE

A. attach

B. alter

C. absent

D. assist

E. augment

ABATE is to decrease and AUGMENT to increase

8. DISTEND

A. constrict

B. concentrate

C. deteriorate

D. fold

E. weaken

DISTEND is to increase in size and CONSTRICT to decrease.

9. DWINDLE

A. accept

B. esteem

C. exaggerate

D. combine

E. increase

DWINDLE is to decrease

10. BURGEON

A. subside

B. esteem

C. placate

D. tempt

E. wean

BURGEON is to grow and SUBSIDE to decrease

11. BALLOON

A. regain completely

B. decrease slowly

C. respond rapidly

D. survey thoroughly

E. request humbly

BALLOON is to increase fast.

12. CONSTRICT
A. expiate

B. deviate

C. dilate

D. accelerate

E. vindicate

CONSTRICT is to decrease in size and DILATE to expand

13. INFLATE

A. converge

B. inhibit

C. audit

D. minimize

E. detect

INFLATE is to MAXIMIZE

14. HYPERBOLE

A. equivocation

B. criticism

C. understatement

D. pessimism

E. skepticism

HYPERBOLE is maximizing statements.

15. DILATE

A. narrow

B. strengthen

C. bend

D. push

E. soften

DILATE is to EXPAND

16. DEPOSITION

A. process of congealing

B. process of distilling

C. process of eroding

D. process of evolving

E. process of condensing

DEPOSITION refers to a slow increase and ERODING to decrease.

17. ACCRETION

A. ingestion of a nutrient

B. loss of security on a loan

C. discernment of subtle differences

D. reduction in substance caused by erosion

E. sudden repulsion from an entity

ACCRETION is gradual increase

18. ACCRETION

A. disinterest

B. disagreement

C. exactitude

D. adhesion

E. attrition

ATTRITION refers to gradual decrease in substance

CHAPTER10: Analogies of Invalidations

2010-03-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

To REVOKE, as we have seen, is to withdraw.

So, something REVOCABLE can be changed.

On the contrary, something IRREVOCABLE is impossible to be changed.

Another common type of analogy we find in the Big Book is about this kind of impossibility. Let’s take a look at some of such analogies we get in the Big Book.

IRREVOCABLE: REPEAL

Irrevocable cannot be repealed (withdrawn).

INVINCIBLE: SUBDUE

Invincible (unconquerable) cannot be subdued (overcome).

INCORRIGIBLE: REFORM

Incorrigible (beyond correction) cannot be reformed.

IMPERVIOUS: DAMAGE

Impervious (undamageable) cannot be damaged.

IMPENETRABLE: PASS

Impenetrable cannot be passed through.

INDELIBLE: ERASE

Indelible (inerasable) cannot be erased.

FEARLESS: DAUNT

Fearless cannot be daunted (discouraged).

IMPASSIVE: PERTURB

Impassive (undisturbable) cannot be perturbed (agitated).

PROHIBITIVE: PURCHASE

Prohibitive (too high in price) cannot be purchased.

INSOLUBLE: DISSOLVE

Insoluble cannot be dissolved.

UNTENABLE: DEFEND

Untenable (indefensible) cannot be defended.

INELECUTABLE: AVOID

Inelecutable (inevitable) cannot be avoided.

BUOYANT: SINK

Buoyant cannot be sunk.

WARY: GULL

Wary ( careful&suspicious) cannot be gulled (easily cheated).

VIGILANT: AMBUSH

Vigilant (watchful) cannot be ambushed(taken by surprise).

ERRATIC: PREDICT

Erratic (unpredictable) cannot be predicted.

EXEMPLARY: CRITICIZE

Exemplary (perfect) cannot be criticized.

COMMENDABLE: REPROACH

Commendable (praiseworthy) cannot be reproached (blamed).

IRREFUTABLE: DISCONFIRM

Irrefutable (that which can't be disproved) cannot be disconfirmed (disproved).

AN ANALOGY TEST

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Let us today consider a few more problems of Analogies;

let us solve the following:

Once you have answered them, match your choices with the correct ones.

.1.

SYLLABLE: WORD

A. heart: card

B. game: series

C. iron: ironing board

D. disc: record

E: parentheses: brackets

.2.

EFFICIENT: WASTEFUL

A. honest: deceptive

B. facetious: sardonic

C. hasty: expeditious

D. churlish: flippant

E. perceptive: misanthropic

.3.

PARSLEY: GARNISH

A. butter: melt

B. tea: ice

C. dip: chip

D. salt: seasoning

E. flour: cake

.4.

FUZZY: CLARITY

A. false: perjury

B. voluble: constancy

C. avant-garde: fidelity

D. mischievous: imbroglio

E. rigid: flexibility

.5.

ACRE: LAND

A. timbre: drum

B. parcel: sale

C. slice: cake

D. coffee: cup

E. forest: tree

.6.

SHAFT: SPEAR

A. neck: guitar

B. fire: weapon

C. tie: kerchief

D. place: hold

E. grate: poker

.7.

TRELLIS: GARDEN

A. till: plant

B. train: vine

C. fireplace: house

D. chancel: choir

E. reed: basket

.8.

MANACLE: HANDS

A. chap: lips

B. fedora: head

C. belt: waist

D. fetter: feet

E. chew: mouth

.9.

THRESHER: SHARK

A. volume: book

B. plant: factory

C. chipper: wood

D. chisel: sculptor

E. mastiff: dog

.10.

DOLLY: GRIP

A. plow: tongue

B. emphasise: accentuate

C. bowdlerize: abuse

D. ticket punch: conductor

E. broom: handle

THE ANSWER CHOICES

1. B. A word is made of syllables as a series is made of games.
2. A. Efficient is the opposite of wasteful as honest is the opposite of deceptive.

3. D. Parsley is a kind of garnish as salt is a kind of seasoning.
4. E. Fuzzy lacks clarity as rigid lacks flexibility.
5. C. Land can be divided into acres as cake can be divided into slices.
6. A. Shaft is the long, narrow part of spear as neck is the long narrow part of guitar.
7. C. Trellis is found in a garden as fireplace in house.
8. D. Manacle binds the hands as fetter the feet.
9. C. Thresher is a kind of shark as mastiff is a kind of dog.

10. D. Grip in the film industry uses the equipment called dolly as a (train) conductor uses a ticket punch.

Hope you got most of them right.

CHAPTER 12: ANALOGIES of WORDS of UNDESIRABLY HIGH DEGREE

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In the following pairs of words, the second word denotes an undesirably higher degree of the first word.

Example:

To be miserly is to be too frugal.

To be arrogant is to be too confident.

FRUGAL : MISERLY

CONFIDENT : ARROGANT

COMPLAINING : QUERULOUS

SPENDING : PRODIGAL

REQUESTING : IMPORTUNATE

PETITIONING : GROVELING

INQUIRING : PRYING

QUESTIONING : GRILLING

PATRIOTIC : CHAUVINISTIC

THRIFTY : PARSIMONIOUS

COMPLIANT : SERVILE

TRUSTING : GULLIBLE

TALKATIVE : GARRULOUS

COMPLIANT : CARPING

GROWING : BURGEONING

BEATING : PALPITATING

RECEPTIVE : GULLIBLE

LAUDATORY : SYCOPHANTIC

INVOLVING : ENTANGLED

ENTHUSIASTIC : ZEALOUS

PASSIONATE : FANATICAL

IDEALISTIC : QUIXOTIC

SKEPTICAL : PARANOID

ADMIRING : IDOLATROUS

ATTENTIVE : OFFICIOUS

REFINED : SNOBBISH

RESOLUTE : HEADSTRONG

AMENABLE : DOCILE

DEVOTED : IDOLATROUS

SENSITIVE : TOUCHY

DECOROUS : PRUDISH

DISCRIMINATING : FASTIDIOUS

PRINCIPLED : MORALISTIC

ERUDITE : PEDANTIC

APPREHENSIVE : TERRIFIED

AFFECTIONATE : ADORING

COURAGEOUS : FOOLHARDY

MUNIFICENT : PROFLIGATE

ASSERTING : BELABORING

TENDING : FUSSING

MOTILE : FRENETIC

BELIEVING : FANATICAL

BRIGHT : GLARING

LOUD : DEAFENING

SWEET : CLOYING

FRUGAL : PENURIOUS

COMPLIANT : OBSEQUIOUS

PLAIN : AUSTERE

CLEAN : STERILIZED

EXTRACTED : MILKED

UTILIZED : EXPLOITED

CHAPTER 11: FREE RICE

2010-03-16T08:55:00.003-07:00

http://www.freerice.com/

Let me today deviate from the routine of explaining words, ideas and their associations because I want my readers to be introduced to the concept of " free rice".

The website, http://www.freerice.com/ helps you build your vocabulary.

Every time you click on the correct meaning of the word given on the page, a few grains of rice will be donated.

The rice goes to feed the hungry billions of the world.

So visit the site.

You will not only build your vocabulary, but you will also help feed the hungry humanity of the world -----just by clicking your mouse in the comfort of your home.

P.S:We will continue our GRE prep anon.

CHAPTER: 10 THE IMPOSSIBLES

2010-03-16T02:22:00.000-07:00

To REVOKE, as we have seen, is to withdraw.

So, something REVOCABLE can be changed.

On the contrary, something IRREVOCABLE is impossible to be changed.

Another common type of analogy we find in the Big Book is about this kind of impossibility.

Let’s take a look at some of such analogies we get in the Big Book.

IRREVOCABLE: REPEAL

Irrevocable cannot be repealed (withdrawn).

INVINCIBLE: SUBDUE

Invincible (unconquerable) cannot be subdued (overcome).

INCORRIGIBLE: REFORM

Incorrigible (beyond correction) cannot be reformed.

IMPERVIOUS: DAMAGE

Impervious (undamageable) cannot be damaged.

IMPENETRABLE: PASS

Impenetrable cannot be passed through.

INDELIBLE: ERASE

Indelible (inerasable) cannot be erased.

FEARLESS: DAUNT

Fearless cannot be daunted (discouraged).

IMPASSIVE: PERTURB

Impassive (undisturbable) cannot be perturbed (agitated).

PROHIBITIVE: PURCHASE

Prohibitive (too high in price) cannot be purchased.

INSOLUBLE: DISSOLVE

Insoluble cannot be dissolved.

UNTENABLE: DEFEND

Untenable (indefensible) cannot be defended.

INELECUTABLE: AVOID

Inelecutable (inevitable) cannot be avoided.

BUOYANT: SINK

Buoyant cannot be sunk.

WARY: GULL

Wary ( careful&suspicious) cannot be gulled (easily cheated).

VIGILANT: AMBUSH

Vigilant (watchful) cannot be ambushed(taken by surprise).

ERRATIC: PREDICT

Erratic (unpredictable) cannot be predicted.

EXEMPLARY: CRITICIZE

Exemplary (perfect) cannot be criticized.

COMMENDABLE: REPROACH

Commendable (praiseworthy) cannot be reproached (blamed).

IRREFUTABLE: DISCONFIRM

Irrefutable (that which can't be disproved) cannot be disconfirmed (disproved).

UNIMPEACHABLE : QUESTION

Unimpeachable cannot be questioned.

ELUSIVE: CAPTURE

Elusive cannot be capture.

INVULNERABLE : INJURE

Invulnerable cannot be injured.

PEERLESS : MATCH

Peerless cannot be matched

CHAPTER8: ANALOGIES

2010-03-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

We' ve been on and off looking at a few analogical problems.

Today, let's exclusively focus on some general patterns in analogies.

Before we look at the patterns, let's view a few tips for cracking the problems in analogies:

1. Before we look at the choices, we have to formulate a relationship between the head pair of words.

2. We must learn to recognize common types of analogies.

3. We have to eliminate answer pairs that are clearly wrong.

4. We must be aware of possible correct answers given in the reverse order.

5. If more than one answer is possible, we analyze the words again.

Now, look at a few examples:

BACCHUS: DRINK

A. Orpheus: Eurydice

B. Amazon: ruler

C. Diana: hunt

D. Zeus: Olympus

E. Plato: Aristotle

Bacchus is the god of wine; Diana is the goddess of hunt.

EXCERPT: NOVEL

A. critique: play

B.review : manuscript

C. swatch: cloth

D. foreword: preface

E. recital: performance

Excerpt is a part of novel; swatch is part of a piece of cloth.

INELUCTABLE: AVOID

A. ineffable: utter

B.impalpable: desire

C.impermeable: endure

D.irascible: provoke

E.irreconcilable: estrange

Something ineluctable is impossible to be avoided; something ineffable is impossible to be uttered.

What matters in analogies is the relation between the the given words. Before looking at the choices make a brief sentence expressing the relation between the words.

EXAMPLES:

1. FISH: SCHOOL

A school is group of fish.

2. JOURNALIST: TYPEWRITER

A journalist uses the typewriter as a tool.

3. ORCHESTRA: MUSICIAN

An orchestra consists of musicians.

Now, let's look at the various types of analogies:

I. SYNONYMS and their VARIANTS:

Synonyms are words with similar meanings and the same part of speech. In synonym variants words have similar meanings but different parts of speech.

Examples:

1. VERBOSE(wordy): WORDINESS

2.SOLICITOUS(concerned): CONCERN

3.BACKSLIDING(slipping): RECIDIVISM

4. PERSPICACIOUS(insightful): INSIGHT

II. ANTONYMS and theirVARIANTS

Antonyms are words of opposite meanings but of the same parts of speech. Antonym variants have different parts of speech.

Examples:

1. NERVOUS(unpoised): POISE

2. INIQUITOUS(unvirtuous): VIRTUE

3. PEERLESS(matchless): MATCH

4. ABSTINENT(starving): GORGE(eat too much)

III. MEMBER and CLASS

In this type the first term may be an element of a class the second term suggests or vice versa.

Examples:

1. SNAKE: INVERTEBRATE

2. PENGUIN: BIRD

3. SALAMANDER: AMPHIBIAN

4. SONNET: POEM

5. METAPHYSICS: PHILOSOPHY

DEGREE OF INTENSITY

Here two words express the same concept but one will be stronger in implications than the other.

Examples:

1.INTEREST: OBSESSION
2.BREEZE: TEMPEST
3.FOND: DOTING
4.GRASPING(GREEDY): RAPACIOUS

DEFINITION

This is the most common type. Here we can use one word to define the other.

Examples:

1.LION: CARNIVORE
2.SHARK: SCAVENGER
3.SANCTUARY: REFUGE
TAXONOMIST: CLASSIFY

OTHER TYPES OF ANALOGIES

PART TO WHOLE

ACTOR: TROUPE

PLOTTER: CABAL

ISLAND: ARCHIPELAGO

CANTO: POEM

II
FUNCTION
ASYLUM: REFUGE
An asylum provides refuge.
BALLAST: STABILITY
A ballast provides stability.
MNEMONIC: MEMORY
A mnemonic aids memory.

III.
MANNER

PRATTLE: SPEAK
To prattle is to in an idle manner.
PROMENADE: WALK
To promenade is to walk in an idle manner.
MUMBLE: TALK
To mumble is to talk indistinctly.

IV.
ACTION&ITS IMPORT
WINCE: PAIN
Wince signifies pain.
BLUSH: DISCOMFITURE
Blush signifies discomfiture.
PROSTRATION: SUBMISSIVENESS

Prostration signifies submissiveness.

WORKERS & THEIR ARTICLES

POET: ODE

A poet creates an ode.

ARCHITECT: BLUEPRINT

An architect creates a blueprint.

MASON: WALL

A mason builds a wall.

VI.
WORKERS & THEIR TOOLS
PAINTER: BRUSH
REAPER: SICKLE
CARPENTER: VISE

VII
WORKER & WORK
ACROBAT: CARTWHEEL
An acrobat performs a cartwheel.
FINANCIER: INVESTMENT
A financier makes an investment.
TENOR: ARIA
A tenor sings an aria.

VIII
WORKER & WORKPLACE
MUSICIAN: CONSERVATORY
SCULPTOR: ATELIER
MINER: QUARRY
LAWYER: COURT
UMPIRE: DIAMOND

TOOL & ITS FUNCTION

DRILL: BORE

CROWBAR: PRY

SIEVE: SIFT

X
CAUSE & EFFECT
SOPORIFIC: SLEEP
SUDORIFIC: SWEAT
TONIC: INVIGORATION
EMOLLIENT: SOOTHING
COAGULANT: CLOTTING

XI
GENDER
DOE: STAG
VIXEN: FOX
MARE: STEED
WOMAN: MAN
DUCK: DRAKE
GOOSE: GANDER

XII SYMBOL & ITS MEANING
DOVE: PEACE
Dove is the symbol of peace.
SPHINX: ENIGMA
Sphinx is a symbol of enigma.

XIII
SPATIAL ORDER
ROOF: FOUNDATION
BASEMENT: ATTIC
ZENITH:NADIR

XIV
ITEM TO CATEGORY
IGUANA: REPTILE
CAT: MAMMAL

XV
SMALL Vs BIG
PEBBLE: BOULDER
BROOK: RIVER
FIGURINE: COLOSSUS

XVI
TYPE Vs GENERAL
LILAC: FLOWER
TERMITE: INSECT
PUN: JOKE

XVII

INDIVIDUAL Vs GROUP

LION: PRIDE

WITCH: COVEN

QUAIL: COVEY

GOOSE: GAGGLE

FISH: SCHOOL

XVIII
PERSON & QUALITY
SKEPTIC: DOUBT
SAGE: WISDOM
LOGICIAN: RATIONALITY

XIX
YOUNG & ADULT
SAPLING: TREE
ACORN: OAK
NOVICE: NOVA

CHAPTER 7:HOTHEADS,DIEHARDS AND PIG-HEADS

2010-03-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

A few of my friends were very SKEPTICAL (doubtful, suspicious) about the readership, when I started this blog. Despite their SKEPTICISM, I PERSISTED in my attempt. My PERSEVERANCE has now paid. The number of suggestions, complaints and compliments my e-mail inboxes (rajan.cm@gmail.com and crackinggre27@gmail.com) receive bear testimony to the tremendous readership my blog has

I use this space to thank warmly all my readers .

When we PERSIST in something, we CONTINUE to DO it; we do not give up; we PERSEVERE.

PERSEVERANCE is CONTINUATION of EFFORT.

Look at a previous ANTONYM pair.

PERSEVERANCE x CESSATION of EFFORT (stopping effort)

CESSATION is from CEASE, stop. So UNCEASING is non- stop, continuous. INCESSANT is a synonym of UNCEASING. Another synonym is CEASELESS.

Let’s recap these SYNONYMS of CONTINUOUS:

UNCEASING

INCESSANT

CEASELESS

PERPETUAL

PERENNIAL

Look at an old ANTONYM pair from GRE:

PERPETUAL x SPORADIC

SPORADIC or INTERMITTENT means OCCASIONAL, happening now and then.

When we continuously do something, we PERSIST in it. We become PERSISTENT or TENACIOUS. TENACIOUS people are generally called DIE HARD. They do not easily give up.

Just as IMPETUOUS (rash) people are called HOTHEADS, PERSISTENT people are called DIEHARDS.

HOTHEAD: IMPETUOUS

DIEHARD: TENACIOUS

IMPETUOUS people are very RASH in their actions. They never think of the consequences of their actions, before they act. They are THOUGHTLESS. They are very HASTY.

The following are SYNONYMS of IMPETUOUS:

PRECIPITATE

HASTY

HURRIED

RASH

THOUGHTLESS

IMPULSIVE

HOTHEADED

Here are some ANTONYM pairs:

PRECIPITATE x DELIBERATE

IMPULSIVE x THOUGHTFUL

HOTHEADED x PREMEDITATED

If some people are HOTHEADED, some others are PIG-HEADED.

A PIG-HEADED person is very STUBBORN; unmanageably firm and hard; very uncompromising and rigid. There is many a word which refers to the idea of being RIGID. Let’s list them now:

RIGID

INFLEXIBLE

INTRACTABLE

INTRANSIGENT

INEXORABLE

INCORRIGIBLE (beyond correction)

UNYIELDING

UNAMENABLE

RELENTLESS

FROWARD

RECALCITRANT

REFRACTORY

IMPLACABLE (uncompromising)

PIG-HEADED

MULISH OBDURATE

OBSTINATE

WILLFUL

HEADSTRONG

ADAMANT (firm like a rock and hard like a diamond)

STUBBORN

All the above listed words have similar meaning. We will look at their ANTONYMS in the next post. Till then, BYE!

CHAPTER 6: EUPHEMISM

2010-03-07T21:16:00.001-08:00

Today, let's take up a new word, 'EUPHEMISM'.

'Euphemism' refers to a pleasant expression used in place of a harsh expression.

It is a pleasant substitute for offensive expressions.

Sometimes, when we have to say some truth which may hurt the listener, we use a euphemism. For example, the expression, 'old man' may sound harsh to an old man.

So, we substitute 'old man' with 'senior citizen'.

'Senior citizen', therefore, can be called the 'euphemism' for 'old man'.

When we use'pass away' for 'die', we use a euphemism.

We use euphemism to avoid offense, just as we use prevarication (the telling of lies) to avoid truth.

Hence,

EUPHEMISM: OFFENSE

PREVARICATION: TRUTH

As we've seen, 'to prevaricate' is to tell lies, to be dishonest.

A prevaricator is a liar.

So, we can have a pair of related words as follows:

LIAR: PREVARICATE

A liar is a prevaricating person.

This is a common problem of analogy we find in GRE.

A few more examples follow:

BRAGGART (BLOWHARD): BOAST

A brggart or a blowhard is a boasting person.

(to brag is to boast )

PATRON: SUPPORT

A patron is a supporting person

(to patronize is to support)

HAGGLER: BARGAIN

A haggler is a bargaining person.

(to haggle is to bargain)

LAMPOONER: RIDICULE

A lampooner is a ridiculing person.

(to lampoon is to ridicule)

MENTOR: GUIDE

A mentor is guiding person.

(to mentor is to guide)

HECKLER: HARASS

A heckler is a harassing person.

(to heckle is to harass)

In all the above analogies we get the function of the first term in the second.