1
Verbal tests
Test 1, ‘Word skills’, is a test of how well you understand words. Language
tests are often the most complex, because a word may be used in many
different ways. Words are slippery, with alternative, deeper or hidden
meanings.
In Test 2, ‘Verbal concepts’, vocabulary is still important, but less so
than perceiving what idea or association connects some words and not
others. Rather than recognize the individual meanings of words, you are
expected to work out those that form a ‘set’ or group. This test requires
both a level of learning and experience and quickness in thinking.
In Test 3, ‘Critical application’, vocabulary is far less important
than the ability to reason. While you will find that in Tests 1 and 2 you will,
more or less, either know the answer or not, with Test 3 you may need to
take your time until you arrive at the answer. Possible ways of doing this
are explained later on.
Preparation and revision (optional)
We use the parts of speech every day without thinking. They make sense
of what we say. We have grown up to learn to use them properly in order
that people can understand us and we are able to understand them. But, if
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Verbal tests
you are going to take any kind of verbal test, make sure you understand
the difference between the following:
Adjective makes exact the meaning of a noun (eg blue, short, happy)
Noun name of a person, place or thing (eg shirt, person, stone,
life, love)
Verb describes action (eg ran, flew, shouted, wrote)
Adverb word that describes how the action of the verb was done
(quickly, badly, strongly, now)
Pronoun word used instead of a noun (eg she, him, it, they, you)
Preposition shows the relationship between one word or part of a
sentence to another (eg in, at, through, for)
Conjunction used to join different sentences or parts in order to make
a connection (eg but, so, therefore, and)
Interjection word used to express strong feeling (eg oh, ah, hurray).
Take a few moments to practise. A good exercise is to take a word, using a
dictionary if you like, and put it into a sentence. Then try to use it as
another part of speech. As you will find this difficult, you will quickly learn
to recognize the different parts of speech.
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The aptitude test workbook
Test 1: Word skills
This test is to check your spelling, your understanding of words and whether
you use them correctly. You are asked a question and you have to find the
answer from the words provided. You have to write the word clearly and
spelt correctly in the answer box on the right hand side of the page. Examples
1 and 2 have been done already to show you how to answer:
Examples
1. wind the is
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
house dog night cold fury
cold
Answer
2. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
nite free laugh paper engine
night
Answer
3. salt pass please
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
help and the pepper odd
Answer
4. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
frend parcel solid fortunate lonely
Answer
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Verbal tests
Explanation
In Example 1 a proper sentence could be ‘The wind is cold.’ None of the
other words provided would make a proper sentence with the words –
‘wind the is’. In Example 1 it would only be possible to use other words,
apart from ‘cold’, if you were trying to be poetical, for example, to create a
sentence such as, ‘The wind is fury’. But, this is not grammatically correct
because ‘fury’ is a noun, whilst ‘cold’ is an adjective. Although it would be
correct to use the word ‘fury’ as a metaphor by changing it and saying,
‘The wind is furious,’ this is not the word that was given.
In Example 2 ‘nite’ is not a recognized spelling. In Example 3: the
answer is ‘the’ because the only correct sentence is ‘Please pass the salt’ or
‘Pass the salt, please.’ In Example 4: the answer is ‘friend’ because ‘frend’ is
not a correct word. In Example 2 there is only one correct spelling for a
word that sounds like ‘nite’, which is ‘night’. Example 4 is just the same as
‘frend’ and ‘friend’ are pronounced identically. Be careful – a common
mistake is to reverse the position of the ‘i’ and the ‘e’. Example 3 is the
same type of problem as Example 1. Although it is likely that someone
would understand you if, at dinner, you said, ‘Salt. Pass please,’ this is still
an incorrect sentence.
Remember to write down the word clearly and spelt correctly,
otherwise it will not count. Ask now if you have any questions.
If you are timing yourself you have 12 minutes for this test. You have to do
as many as you can in the time allowed. Work as quickly as you can, but do
not make mistakes. Do not start the test until you are ready.
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The aptitude test workbook
1. please clearly
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
write go move
Answer
2. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
enquire ofice knock departure terrified
Answer
3. Which word is closest in meaning to ‘grateful’?
hopeful thankful sincere
Answer
4. sport swimming a
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
water the is
Answer
5. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
receive wierd fierce deceit shriek
Answer
6. Which word is closest in meaning to ‘stern’?
top front flexible strong rear
Answer
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Verbal tests
7. an is a ambulance
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
road car the vehicle
Answer
Expert tip
If you are uncertain, should you guess?
Always ask the administrator. Guessing will not help you in most tests,
but sometimes it is worth it. This is particularly so in verbal tests where there
is not always an exact answer, as there must be with numbers, for example.
It is not worth guessing if you really have no idea which of the four, or even
which of three of the four, answers might be correct. If you have a strong
hunch that your answer is correct, then it is worth taking a chance, but do
not do it too often. Since a ‘guessing correction’ is applied, it is better to
choose no answer if you have no idea.
8. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
exhausted speady disappointed applause
Answer
9. What does ‘dejected’ mean?
quiet thoughtful downcast rejected
Answer
10. illegally is called importing
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
smuggling travelling selling
Answer
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The aptitude test workbook
Expert tip
A way of reducing uncertainty is to write the word in a sentence. Then try to
find alternatives for the word. Then try to substitute the alternatives in the
same sentence so you can see which one makes most sense.
11. What is the opposite of ‘expand’?
contract expel unfurl reserve closed
Answer
12. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
queue accelerate restaurant business maintainance
Answer
13. the tower of Italy Pisa is leaning
Which word can be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
in on the under near
Answer
14. Someone who is prostrate is...?
sitting drunk silly lying kneeling
Answer
15. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
leisure thief forfeit noticeing changeable
Answer
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Verbal tests
Expert tip
If you do not know the meaning of the word you are given, it is probably
better use of your time to leave the question and go on to the next. Timed
tests will contain plenty of questions so the one on which you have become
‘stuck’ is not going to be critical.
16. investigation enquiry an means
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
the an hurried telephone
Answer
17. What is the opposite of ‘lessen’?
assignment augment greater warning
Answer
18. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
advertisement emmigration courageous temporarily
schedule
Answer
19. in prepared a is bakery
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
on baker oven bread made
Answer
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The aptitude test workbook
20. What word means the same as ‘not permissible by law’?
indisputable illegal severe vehement
deceptive
Answer
21. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
seperate suppose education lightning
magnificently
Answer
22. of segment orange is called a a an
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
part rind peel core pip
Answer
23. The word which means ‘to act suddenly without thought’ is…?
erratically suspiciously cautiously impulsively
audaciously
Answer
24. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
insoluble loveable manageable intangible
understandable
Answer
25. a persuasiveness salesperson
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
an receives irradiates requires the
Answer
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Verbal tests
26. The word for writing that is impossible to read is...?
illegible illiterate intolerable undetectable unviable
Answer
27. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
language occasion mischevious disappoint
eloquent
Answer
28. the a sword with gladiator edges two
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
is absorbed feinted convened wielded
Answer
29. What is the most appropriate word to describe preparation for an
ordeal?
practise steel rehearse compose contrive
Answer
30. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
govenor procession succession appreciation
official
Answer
31. someone is a ship called a steers who
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
pilot sea the large rudder
Answer
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The aptitude test workbook
32. The opposite of ‘prudent’ is...?
wary reckless industrious unoccupied energetic
Answer
33. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
valueable noticeable agreeable accessible
responsible
Answer
34. old writers time often as an man
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
an is reduce describe poor
Answer
35. ‘Foe’ is closest in meaning to...?
revolution compatriot adversary mutineer ally
Answer
36. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
anxiously impracticable divisible proffessional
changeably
Answer
37. bone called the at the finger the joint is
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
thumb knuckle as near bone
Answer
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Verbal tests
38. What means the same as ‘likely to occur at any moment’?
punctual accurate patient imminent portable
Answer
39. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
fullness wilful fulfill fully beautiful
Answer
40. is substances a separation for process the of
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
confirmation invention regurgitation transmigration
distillation
Answer
41. What word is closest in meaning to ‘transitory’?
ephemeral alteration misbehaviour see-through
perennial
Answer
42. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
accommodate irrelevant bachelor aniversary
italicized
Answer
43. goodwill reputation of name and is connections the
Which word needs to be added to the above to make a proper
sentence?
value advertisement company is ordering
Answer
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The aptitude test workbook
44. What means the opposite of ‘stated in detail’?
interim explicit designate nebulous substantial
Answer
45. One of these words is spelt incorrectly. Write the correct spelling.
illiterate irrelevant implacable contempory
professor
Answer
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