The test for the English language is common for all government exams. In fact, in some exams like SBI PO and IBPS PO, English language tests come in both the prelims and the mains. Now, a lot of students might not feel confident when they approach English paper. One of the reasons for their worry is their weak vocabulary. In the following post, we would talk about some of the steps that you can take to build your vocabulary for government exams.
Why Do You Need to Build Your Vocabulary for Government Exams?
Enriching your vocabulary would really help you score more in your English language paper. The test of the English language is something that is common for almost all government exams. Most of the times, you can expect the following type of questions where you can really use your knowledge of vocabulary.
- You can be asked opposite/same meaning words to a given word in the grammar section
- Sometimes, they can pick a word from the comprehension section and ask about the meaning.
- They can be also questions that directly ask the meaning of a particular word.
So, as you can see, you need to build your vocabulary for government exams as that would help you score better in such immensely competitive exams. Let us take a look at how you can build your vocabulary for government exams.
General Tips on How You Can Build Your Vocabulary for Government Exams
Now, let us take a look at some of the general tips that you should follow to build your vocabulary for government exams.
- Read an English Language Newspaper daily. Not only would that help you with current affairs, but it would help you build up your vocabulary in English. Hindu and the Indian Express are highly recommended.
- Keep a good dictionary by your side when you are reading a newspaper or a book. Hindi-English dictionary might be good but at the same time, you would need to use an English-English dictionary as well.
- One of the best and fun ways to increase your vocabulary is to watch English movies. Today, most English movie channels on TV come with English subtitles. They are always a good way to learn new words,
- Read your school English books. Most of the questions asked are of school standard,
Books to Read to Build Your Vocabulary for Government Exams
-
30 Days to More Powerful Vocabulary by Norman and Lewis
Publisher: Goyal
Why Should You Get It?
- 15-minute exercises that would enhance your vocabulary
- Learn the use of new words. This is especially helpful for the descriptive section.
- Easy to understand and effective.
-
Everyday Vocabulary More Than 6100 Words
Publisher: Arihant
Why Should You Get It?
- It is especially helful for hindi medium students
- There are more than 6100 words to learn. Most of the words commonly come in the exam.
Free Apps to Help Build Your Vocabulary
1. PowerVocab
PowerVocab is a definition matching game similar to this quiz. Players match words against multiple-choice definitions. You can compete against other players or play against the clock.
2. Dictionary.com
3. English Hindi Dictionary
Some of the Common Words that Come in Government Exams
- IRIDESCENT (adjective): इंद्रधनुषी
Meaning: Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
Synonyms: shining, glittering, sparkling, shimmering, polychromatic, opalescent
Antonyms: colorless, dull, plain, fixed, monochrome
Usage: When the jeweler looked at the iridescent gems, he was made speechless by their brilliant colors.
- THROWAWAY (adjective) : अस्थायी
Meaning: Denoting or relating to products that are intended to be discarded after being used once or a few times.
Synonyms: casual, passing, careless, offhand, ill-considered
Antonyms: adopt, embrace, take on, keep, retain, conserve
Usage: She was very upset at what to him was just a throwaway remark.
3.PRUNE (verb) : छटना, छँटाई करना
Meaning: Trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.
Synonyms: reduce, cut/trim, decrease.
Antonyms: elongate, extend, lengthen
Usage: Ideally, you should start pruning your tree to limit its size before it reaches full size.
- STRIDE (noun) : प्रगति, छलांग
Meaning: A long step or stage in making progress.
Synonyms: clump, tramp, stomp, stalk
Antonyms: amble, meander, ramble, stroll, wander
Usage: In two bounding strides the woman was in the street, kneeling over her friend.
- VEXATIOUS (adjective) : अफ़सोसनाक
Meaning: Causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry.
Synonyms: annoying, vexing, irritating, irksome, displeasing, infuriating, maddening, exasperating
Antonyms: helpful, pleasing, soothing, aiding, assisting
Usage: This vexatious problem was resolved, incompletely, by civil war and secession.
- STODGY (adjective) : सुस्त और उदासीन; मौलिकता या उत्तेजना की कमी
Meaning: Dull and uninspired; lacking originality or excitement
Synonyms: uninteresting, dreary, deadly, unimaginative, uninspired, unexciting, monotonous, humdrum
Antonyms: exciting, entertaining, digestible, creative, breathtaking, enthralling
Usage: Most of my students used informal, asymmetrical balance, as formal balance can seem stodgy and dull.
- PURPORTEDLY (adverb) : कथित रूप से
Meaning: As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; allegedly.
Synonyms: allegedly, professedly, supposedly, seemingly, superficially
Antonyms: absolutely, authentically, certainly, earnestly, exactly
Usage: The woman found a letter purportedly signed by the Prime Minister.
- AMELIORATE (verb) : सुधारना
Meaning: make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better
Synonyms: better, reformed, revamped/improved, amend, elevate
Antonyms: worsen, aggravate, decline, blemish, debase, deprave
Usage: Ameliorate the relationship with your distant mother by sending a letter.
- STARK (adjective) : निरा
Meaning: Unpleasantly or sharply clear.
Synonyms: blunt, bare, straightforward, plain, unadorned, unembellished, harsh, grim
Antonyms: adorned, bright, lush, bleak, cheerful, opulent
Usage: His evidence in chief stood in stark contrast to his evidence on cross-examination.
- TOUCHSTONE (noun) : मापदंड
Meaning: a criterion by which something is judged
Synonyms: benchmark, criterion, grade, mark, measure, metric, standard, yardstick
Antonyms: aberration, deviation, abnormality
Usage: An understanding of grammar is often considered a touchstone by which all language skills are compared to.
