The vocabulary test portion of the civil service exam may prove to be one most difficult to answer, if you are not well prepared, or has lesser stock of words in your vocabulary. Not only it consumes too much time, deciphering the meaning of a certain word or group of words, it also creates a feeling that you'll be missing chances to add points to your raw score. So how do you avoid this kind of situation?
The best solution of course is to increase your vocabulary. The most effective method of doing this is through reading regularly – BUT this is a longer term strategy, over the course of several months. If you read a lot, your vocabulary increases. However, it is a fact the many of us are not avid fans of reading – definitely not a fan of reading those books which need a dictionary in order to understand its meaning.
Another technique in getting close to the right answer is through analyzing the given sentence(s) – the word or phrase that is consistent and parallel to the main sentence is likely to be the correct answer, but not always the case. You should also take note of the context clue(s), if there is(are).
The best solution of course is to increase your vocabulary. The most effective method of doing this is through reading regularly – BUT this is a longer term strategy, over the course of several months. If you read a lot, your vocabulary increases. However, it is a fact the many of us are not avid fans of reading – definitely not a fan of reading those books which need a dictionary in order to understand its meaning.
Another technique in getting close to the right answer is through analyzing the given sentence(s) – the word or phrase that is consistent and parallel to the main sentence is likely to be the correct answer, but not always the case. You should also take note of the context clue(s), if there is(are).
Furthermore, You should watch out for conjunctions, they usually give clues about the answer, especially the following: (and) (or) (nor) (for) (but) (yet) (so).
(According to the takers of the October 2016 Civil Service Exam, the vocabulary portion of the exam is definitely difficult to answer.)
The Test Items in this article is an example of the Actual Civil Service Examination.
Note: answers are in bold format
 |
| Vocabulary |
*** TEST BEGINS HERE ***
DIRECTIONS: Choose from among the suggested answers the word that means most nearly the same as the word in capital letters. On your Answer Sheet, shade completely the box that corresponds to your answer.
1) Ang PAGAL na guro ay sandaling tumigil bago muling nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.
1. pagod
2. galit
3. pihikan
4. mabagal
5. mahinahon
2) A special group in the police force is believe to be engage in FURTIVE activities.
1. illegal
2. suspicious
3. unusual
4. worthy
5. secret
3) The Defense presented its case to the jury in a TRENCHANT manner.
1. legalistic
2. dignified
3. vague
4. emphatic
5. cautious
4) Ang mga magbubukid ay NABIHASA sa paggamit ng kalabaw bilang katulong nila
sa pagsasaka.
1. nagsawa
2. nagtiwala
3. nasanay
4. natuto
5. nahirapan
5) Pilo’s insensitivity has created ANIMOSITY to the worker’s demands.
1. distrust
2. hostility
3. fear
4. distance
5. dependence
6) The baffled owner ACQUIESCED to the worker’s demands.
1. opposed
2. reacted
3. agreed
4. resisted
5. listened
7) The recommendation of the wage council is REPUGNANT to the employers.
1. acceptable
2. objectionable
3. beneficial
4. degrading
5. embarrassing
8) Sanctuaries for wildlife have DWINDLED alarmingly in the last decade.
1. disappeared
2. changed
3. decreased
4. multiplied
5. deteriorated
9) Recklessness always entails JEOPARDY.
1. danger
2. crisis
3. apprehension
4. control
5. aggression
10) Business, like life, is much too extensive and LEQUESCENT to be wholly contained by any checklist, formula or theory.
1. structured
2. changeable
3. complicated
4. shapeless
5. confusing
11) My mother is always ADAMANT in eating breakfast before leaving the house.
1. resolute
2. uncertain
3. forgetful
4. clueless
12) Reading words without understanding their meaning is FUTILE.
1. helpless
2. useless
3. unnecessary
4. avoidable
13) She wears gold but people knows how OSTENTATIOUS she can be.
1. pretentious
2. ambitious
3. gorgeous
4. rebellious
14) He submitted a GROTESQUE artwork that nobody in the class could relate to.
1. different
2. weird
3. beautiful
4. colorful
15) Their CLANDESTINE affair remained unknown for three years.
1. forbidden
2. surprise
3. secret
4. unacceptable
16) Diskettes and CDs are going OBSOLETE.
1. recycled
2. refurbished
3. updated
4. outdated
17) The Queen of the Night dances VIVACIOUSLY.
1. lively
2. awkward
3. kindly
4. sweetly
18. The court released a DOGMATIC statement that made people more hopeful.
1. naive
2. unbelievable
3. assertive
4. unclear
19 There is no PANACEA that will solve our financial difficulty.
1. cure-all
2. paradox
3. answer
4. criteria
20. This generation is prone to PLETHORIC use of mobile gadgets.
1. essential
2. crucial
3. important
4. excessive
21) Lorenzo Ruiz refused to RENOUNCE his faith even though he knew he would suffer martyrdom.
1. permeate
2. abandon
3. announce
4. reconcile
22) Ermita and Malate are known for its BOHEMIAN lifestyle and tourist attractions.
1. stylish
2. conventional
3. unconventional
4. complacent
23) The Regency club is perfect for the business traveler in search of privacy, convenience and the EMINENT level of personalized service.
1. topmost
2. welcome
3. distinguished
4. classy
24) We must face the enemy without TREPIDATION if we are to win the battle.
1. reservation
2. fear
3. depravity
4. logistics
25) The lawyer was accused of trying to MULCT his client of his legacy.
1. swindle
2. avenge
3. appease
4. suggest
Directions: In each of the following sentences is a blank space indicating that a word or group of words has been omitted. From among the suggested answers choose the word or groups of words that best conveys the concept or meaning of the sentence as a whole. On your Answer Sheet, shade completely the box that corresponds to your answer.
21) Realizing that we were determined to go, our experienced friends __________ that there might be more difficulties along the way than we expect.
1. dismissed
2. intimated
3. insisted
4. projected
5. concluded
22) Ang patuloy na pag-angkat ng mga produktong banyaga, na siya naming tinatangkilik ng mga mamamayan, ang dahilan ng __________ ng mga industriyang local.
1. paghinto
2. pagbabago
3. pagtitipid
4. pagkawala
5. pagkalugi
23) A strong government is needed to promote __________, not dependency, and to encourage free enterprise.
1. self-alienation
2. self-evaluation
3. self reliance
4. self-awareness
5. self-determination
24) Mass media develop in us level of consciousness that keeps us __________, current events.
1. interested in
2. adjusting to
3. excited over
4. fearful of
5. abreast of
25) Failure is the most tiring experience a person can ever have; there is nothing more __________ than not succeeding being blocked, not moving ahead.
1. invigorating
2. discouraging
3. exhilarating
4. enervating
5. depressing
********************END********************
Read also the article on Spelling and Idiomatic Expressions with examples and meanings.
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