Mixtures and Alligations

Slide 1: 

http://catathon.blogspot.com PresentsVerbal Ability for CAT 2009

Sentence Correction : 

Sentence Correction

Complete the following sentence… : 

Complete the following sentence… Despite the supposedly primitive lifestyle, Australian aborigines developed the boomerang, a ________ and _________ hunting tool that maximizes gain with minimum effort. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

Method: Steps to follow : 

Method: Steps to follow What are the ideas in the sentence? Think of a word that makes sense in the blank Scan the choices Reread the word in the blank Compare if the word expected by you matches what you arrived at

Important Note: : 

Important Note: Do NOT start by substituting the choices in the given statement

Types of Sentences : 

Types of Sentences These are similar to types of paragraphs and also fewer in number Cause and effect Reiteration or Restatement/Parallelism Similarity or support Contrast

Cause and Effect : 

Cause and Effect Sentences are of type: A because B B, Hence A A as a result of B B thus A B leading to A B therefore A B causes A A due to B B, consequently A Because of B,A

Cause and Effect : 

Cause and Effect A is the result of the action B Humans have destroyed the forest cover and hence ensued global warming A -> Global Warming was caused due to B -> Destruction of forest cover

Example : 

Example Because of the power and recognition that go with public office, incumbent politicians have enormous____________ when waging election campaigns against outside challengers. (1) difficulties (2) expenses (3) advantages (4) budgets (5) concerns

Solution : 

Solution Because of the power and recognition that go with public office, incumbent politicians have enormous_advantages_ when waging election campaigns against outside challengers. (1) difficulties (2) expenses (3) advantages (4) budgets (5) concerns

Reiteration or Restatement/Parallelism : 

Reiteration or Restatement/Parallelism A in fact B A in other words B A and B A likewise B A namely B A surely B A that is B These sentences have 2 ideas. One idea restates or clarifies the other. Here A and B are similar in meaning, sometimes even synonyms.

Example : 

Example He was the most ______ person we had ever met, in fact his magnanimity knew no limits. Magnanimous means being generous or noble. So, the blank can be filled with words like generous, noble, charitable, benevolent etc…

Example : 

Example Biologists have often gained special insights by examining the life forms that develop in _________ regions, as illustrated by Darwin’s studies of evolution among the finches on certain __________ Pacific islands. (1) arid … lush (2) harsh … tropical (3) typical … unusual (4) crowded …deserted (5) isolated … remote

Solution : 

Solution The words “as illustrated by” indicates that Darwin’s study supports that of the biologists . So, the words need to support each other. (1) arid … lush ? Antonyms (2) harsh … tropical ? this might be possible (3) typical … unusual ? Not in context (4) crowded …deserted ? Antonyms (5) isolated … remote ? isolated must imply remote-ness Answer is (5)

Similarity or Support : 

Similarity or Support The sentences are similar to parallelism type. It is alright to not be able to distinguish between the previous type and this type as the logic remains the same. CAT does not ask you which type of sentence a particular sentence is ?

Similarity or Support : 

Similarity or Support Sentences of this type have the words: A likewise B Just as A, similarly B A like B For instance Furthermore As , same, such as, also Resemblance

Example : 

Example Just as television surpassed radio, it seems internet will eventually ________ television. Invigorate Alter Eliminate Supplant

Solution : 

Solution “Just as” implies similarity Look for synonym of/similar word to the word “surpass” Here, Invigorate -> Antonym Alter -> Similar but not quite Eliminate -> possible answer – eliminate means to remove Supplant -> possible answer – supplant means to replace As eliminate is a very drastic word, supplant is the more appropriate answer. Answer is (4)

Contrast : 

Contrast Sentences have the words: Although Despite In spite of However Against As opposed to On the other hand Surprisingly Unlike In contrast Rather Even though Opposite of the previous type Sentences show differences/contrast between two ideas

Example : 

Example In a large group of people consisting of strangers, Aish often seemed ____ and aloof, although among her friends. She was quite ____. Reticent – Convival Gregarious - Outgoing Detrimental - Multifarous Unattainable - Taciturn

Solution : 

Solution The words need to indicate opposite behaviour Reticent = silent convivial = friendly Gregarious = talkative Outgoing = extrovert Detrimental = causing downfall of Multifarious = diverse Unattainable = unreachable Taciturn = silent Clearly, only option 1 is right.

How do you solve this? : 

How do you solve this? Despite the supposedly primitive lifestyle, Australian aborigines developed the boomerang, a ________ and _________ hunting tool that maximizes gain with minimum effort. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

How do you solve this? : 

How do you solve this? Despite implies opposite or contrast . So, one word needs to be opposite of “primitive”. “that maximizes gain with minimum effort” implies the other word must be the word meaning the same. Primitive X Modern That maximizes gain with minimum effort = efficient Looking for similar words to modern and efficient. (1) ponderous…expensive (2) clean….dynamic (3) dangerous….formidable (4) sophisticated….efficient (5) useful….attractive

THANK YOU : 

THANK YOU http://catathon.blogspot.com