ENGLISH

Reading comprehension questions is one of the types of test in the Civil Service Examination and is

usually included in many Standard English tests. Reading comprehension questions are not very difficult,

but they take a lot of time. However, with practice and correct strategy, you might be able to reduce the

time you spend on the questions, increase your chance of passing the examination, and even get a high

score. Below are some of the tips that you can use in answering reading comprehension questions.

7 Tips in Answering Reading Comprehension Questions

1.) Before reading the passage, read the questions first (not the choices). If you know the questions, then

you can choose what to take note while reading.

2.) Pay attention to the first and last sentences in the each paragraph. Usually, those sentences state the

main idea of the passage.

3.) Most passages have clues about the important ideas. Phrases like “note that,” “clearly,” and “do not

overlook” give you hints on which ideas to focus on.

4.) Read ALL the choices. Do not rush answering if you think you found the correct answer. The next

answer might be a better answer.

5.) Take note of the difference between the true answer and correct answer. Carefully read the passage

and understand the ideas it communicates. Be sure that your answer is based on the passage and not

your own opinion.

6.) Do not spend a lot of time in one question. If you cannot find the answer even if you refer to the

passage, eliminate the obviously wrong choices, and choose your answer from the remaining choices.

7.) Review your answers. If you finished the exam early, go back to the questions where you have

doubts. Reread the passage and answer the question.

IDIOMS

Line is a quite a common word in many idiomatic expressions. It has a range of

meanings:

If you drop someone a line, you write them a letter.

The bottom line refers to accounts where you see the profit or loss at the bottom.

The dotted line is the line on which you sign your name for a contract or bill.

If you draw a line under something on a piece of paper you separate it from what comes before. If

you draw a line under an experience, it means it is finished and you don’t want to hear any more about it.

If you toe the line, you conform. In politics you often have to toe the party

line – support what the party believes. People who rock the boat are said to step

out of line. If something is different from other similar things, it can be brought

into line with the others.

If your job is on the line, you are at risk of losing it. If someone is on the

line, they are on the telephone.

Examples:

Susan says she’s happy with Martin but reading between the lines, something’s

not quite right. They never seem to go out together.

This is Sarah Williams. Can I speak to Amanda Price, please?

Hold the line, please. I’ll just see if she’s free.

Right. Have a good journey. Good luck with the new job and everything.

Thanks. I’ll drop you a line to let you know how I’m getting on.

I agree. Let’s move the meeting to the 24th and involve the other departments.

Good. I’m pleased we’re thinking along similar lines.

Exercises: Use the following idiomatic expressions in the sentences below:

a. in line for

b. the bottom line

c. on the dotted line

d. drew a line under

e. out of line

1. Make sure you read the contract in detail before you sign __________.

2. If you step ________ in this company, they get rid of you. You don’t get a second chance.

3. When John’s divorce came through, he ________ that episode of his life.
4. Helen’s doing very well at work. In fact, I think she’s __________ promotion.

5. I know you don’t want to learn English but ___________ is, if you want to

get a better job here, you need to speak a foreign language.

Answers:

c; 2. e; 3. d; 4. a; 5. b;

II

The ground is one of the most basic things we know. It is not surprising then if ground rulesare basic

rules. In a similar way, if you have a good grounding in a subject, you know the basics.

Hundreds of years ago, everyone had to hunt animals to stay alive. If you wanted to know if there were

any large animals around, you put your ear to the ground and listened. Today if you keep your ear to

the ground you are trying to be aware of any ideas or rumors which are around.

Flying is a more modern idea. A plane literally gets off the ground. This can be applied to a new project in

business.

Examples:

1. Paul’s good with people; he’s patient; he’s organized. Personally, I think social

work will suit him down to the ground.

2. Another boring meeting! They’re a waste of time. We always cover the same old ground.

3. I knew I hadn’t stolen anything in the shop, so I just stood my ground and eventually they believed me.

They had mixed me up with someone else!

4. The best advice my grandmother ever gave me was to keep my feet on the ground even if my head

was in the clouds!

Exercises: Use these idiomatic expressions in the sentences below:

a. ground rules

b. on dangerous ground

c. a bit thin on the ground

d. keep your ear to the ground

e. a good grounding

1. – Excuse me, I’m thinking of changing my PC for an Apple Mac. Have you got any
second-hand ones?

Sorry, we haven’t. Second-hand Macs are __________ at the moment.

2. – We’ve got to do something to reduce our costs.

– Well, if you start talking about cutting staff, you’re ___________.

3. – Thanks for letting me stay with you. You’re doing me a big favor.

– That’s OK, but there are one or two ___________ : no smoking, shoes off at the front door and

everyone does their own washing up.

4. – You’re doing a computer course, aren’t you?

– Yes, it’s nothing special but it gives you __________ in the basics.

5. You want to move to the Personnel Department, don’t you? I’ve heard there might

be a job there soon so ____________.

Answers:

c; 2. b; 3. a; 4. e; 5. d;

III

An idiomatic expression is a phrase or a fixed expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal,

meaning. An idiomatic expression’s figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. In this post,

we are going to learn idiomatic expressions which use the word back.

Meanings

Your back is often associated with hard work. If you put your back into something, you work very hard at

it.

If you pat someone on the back, you are congratulating them.

If someone is on your back all the time, they may be checking up on you.

You want them to get off your back and leave you alone.

If you have your back to the wall, literally, you are about to be killed by a firing

squad. Metaphorically, it means you are in a desperate situation.

If you want to say that someone knows very little about something, you can say:

What James knows about finance could be written on the back of a postage stamp.

Examples:

1. – Listen Ben, when are you going to get out of the house and start looking for a job?

– I’m trying my best. Now would you get off my back and give me a break!

2. – I rang the police when I saw something strange going on across the road and they caught a couple of

burglars red-handed!

– You certainly deserve a pat on the back!

3. If you want to criticize me, tell me to my face. If there’s one thing I hate it’s people whotalk behind my

back.

4. – I’ll never be able to clear the garden by Friday. It’s impossible.

– You will if you put your back into it. You don’t know what hard work is.

Exercises: Use the following idiomatic expressions with back in the sentences below:

a. backs to the wall

b. in the back of beyond

c. like the back of my hand

d. like water off a duck’s back

e. take a back seat

1. My parents moved away from the city when they retired. Now they live ________, about two hours

drive away.

2. If I want to pass my exams, I think my boyfriend will have to __________ for a few weeks.

3. I get criticized a lot at work but it’s part of the job. I’m used to it now. It’s _________.

4. A lot of export companies have their __________ at the moment. Interest rates must come down even

further if things are to get any better.

5. I’ve been to Dublin lots of times. I know the place _____________.

Answers:

1. b; miles from anywhere. 2. e; be less important. 3. d; it doesn’t affect me. 4. a; in a very difficult

situation 5. c; in a very difficult situation

PERFECT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

Write the correct form of the perfect progressive tense used in each given sentences.

1. Senate probe on Maguindanao clash (go) on for several months now.

2. I (clean) the kitchen when my friend (arrive).

3. She (receive) negative comments from social media since last week.

4. A few weeks from now, Korean singers (perform) in front of many Filipino fans.

5. When I (arrive), the principal (talk) to students about the incident.

6. George (edit) his speech when the emcee (tell) him he is the next speaker.

7. Jeanne (tell) her friends that the project is long over due since last week.

8. By next week, the doctor (check) the condition of the pregnant woman.

9. A few weeks from now, she (reveal) her real health condition.

10. Annsly (apply) for a job since last month.

Answer key

1. Has been going

2. had cleaning, arrived

3. Has been receiving

4.will have been performing

5. Arrived, had been talking

6. Had been editing, told

7. Has been telling

8. Will have been checking

9. Will have been revealing

10. Has been applying

FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Future perfect progressive is used to state an action that is perceived to be continuously happening when

a certain time comes.

Form: will have been + present participle

Examples:

1. By this afternoon, the teachers will have been arriving to attend the meeting.

2. Few months from now, politicians will have been preparing for the forthcoming national election.

Exercises:

Write the correct future perfect progressive form of the given verb inside the parentheses.

1. By tomorrow, the patient (recover) from the trauma.

2. Four years from now, my friend (complete) her papers to Australia.

3. By the next decades, scientists (explore) different planets.

4. A few weeks from now, teachers (train) for the K12 seminar for this coming school year.

5. By tomorrow, Myrna (visit) her sick mother for a long time.

Answers

1. Will have been recovering

This means that before tomorrow ends the patient already recovered from trauma.

2. will have been completing

The idea here is that before the four Years of preparation ends my friend already completed all papers

document for Australia.

3. Will have been exploring

This sentence tells us that in the coming decades scientists will try exploring different planets.
4. will have been training

In this particular sentence, it gives us a picture of the teachers in the k12 seminar which will last for a

certain week starting today.

5. Will have been visiting

This means that before the day tomorrow ends Myrna already came to visit her ailing mother for a long

time.

PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Past perfect progressive tense of the verb is used to state an action that is continuous in the past when

another past action occurred.

Form: had been + present participle

Examples:

1. We had been waiting for my brother to come when I received a phone call from a friend.

2. The program had been going on when I arrived.

3. The teachers had been preparing to welcome the new principal when the office received and advice

for its postponement.

Always remember here that this tense of the verb requires two past actions. One is on going in the past

uses the had plus been then, another past action( which is in simple past) happened.

Exercises: Write the correct form of each verb inside the parentheses.

1. The Philippine government (try) diplomatic tactics to solve territorial dispute over China when Visiting

Forces Agreement (begin) its “Balikatan Exercises”.

2. The people (support) the call for peaceful settlement when the opponent country (start) aggressive

action towards our military.

3. Before my brother (join) the band, he (sing) in a five star hotel.

4. When the rain (pour), my family (pack) our things to go home.

5. I (do) my laundry when my sister (ask) me to accompany her to the mall.

Answers:

1. Had been trying, began

2. Had been supporting, started

For sentence 1 and 2, the first past on-going action uses the past perfect progressive. For sentence 1,

had been trying and sentence 2, had been supporting. Notice that the subsequent verbs are in the simple

past tense began and started respectively.

3. Joined, had been singing

4. Poured, had been packing

For sentence 3 and 4, if you notice the simple past tense comes before the past perfect progressive.

Here, careful attention is needed to identify which comes first before another one happens. In this case,

you can tell that one cannot automatically say that the first verb given will always use the past perfect

progressive.

5. Had been doing, asked

Please go back to the above explanation for this number.

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Present perfect progressive is used to tell an action that began in the past and continues up to the

present time.

Form: Has been + present participle of the verb (for singular subject)

Have been + present participle of the verb (for plural subject)

Examples:

1. She has been teaching English since last year

2. They have been receiving complaints for two days now.

3. The government has been appealing for executive clemency for the convicted Filipina.

Exercises: Write the correct form of the present perfect progressive tense of the given verb inside the

parentheses.
1. The president (express) sympathy over the imminent execution of the convicted Filipina since last

week.

2. Different countries all over the world (donate) to help Nepal on the road to their recovery since the

strong earthquake happened.

3. The couple (pray) to have a child for six years now.

4. The students (submit) requirements to avail of the scholarship grants since last month.

5. My Canadian friend (travel) Asian countries for five years now.

Answers:

1. In this sentence the subject is singular (the president) therefore, has is the correct auxiliary verb

plus been followed by the present participle, expressing (Has been expressing). The idea here is that

the expression of sympathy began last week and until now the same emotion is shown for the convicted

Filipina.

2. The correct answer, have been donating. The subject is plural (countries). The Nepalese government

began receiving donation after the earthquake hit the country and still continuing up to the present time.

3. In this number the answer is, has been praying. We can conclude here that the couple has been

married for six years. Since then probably they wanted to have a child but until now it is still their dream.

Please take note that the subject here is the couple which is a singular that is why we use has here

plus been then the present participle praying.

4. The answer here is, have been submitting. The subject, students, is plural. So, we use have plus

been then, submitting. So, imagine here that the office started receiving requirements from last month

until now.

5. The subject, friend, is singular therefore we use has plus been then; traveling (has been traveling). To

get the idea in a clearer picture count five years back, that was the first time his friend traveled Asian

countries until now.

QUIZ

Perfect tenses have three types: Present perfect, Past perfect and future perfect.

The present perfect tense denotes actions that began in the past and continues up to the present time.

It is also used to suggest events that happened at unspecific time before now. Has (singular) and have

(plural) + past participle of the given verb are used to form the present perfect tense.

The past perfect tense of the verb is formed with Had (for singular and plural noun)+ past participle of

the verb. This tense of the verb is used to express an action that happened before another past action

occurred. Always remember that the second past action must use the simple past tense of the verb.

Similarly, for the future perfect tense two actions/events are required here. But, these actions are

intended to be completed in the future. Expressions such as by tomorrow, by next year, ten years from

now, etc. are commonly used plus the future perfect tense (will have + past participle). This is to suggest

that the action is completed before a certain time.

Practice Quiz

Choose the correct form of the perfect tense for each of the following sentences.

1.) Ebola virus (has, have) spread in countries like Africa.

2.) The reinforcement team (arrived, had arrived) after the forty-four Special Action force members (has

died, had died) in the encounter.

3.) The country (will have experienced, will experience) drought before the summer comes next year.

5.) The government of China (expressed, has expressed) its desire to end the territorial row with the

Philippines.

6) Melinda (will have become, had become) a lawyer before her mother retires.

World Health Organization (WHO) (warned, had warned) the public about the MERS-COV before it

became widespread.

7.) The government (ordered, has ordered) recall of a certain brand of apples in the market because of its

toxic contamination.
8.) Food and Drug Administration (has advised, have advised) the public against the proliferation of

untested diet pills in the market.

9.) The US government (has tested, had tested) all its local produce before it reached the market.

10.) Two years from now, Melinda (will have been, will become) a licensed physical therapist.

Answer key

1. Has

2. Arrived, had died

3. Will have experienced

4. Has experienced

5. Will have become

6. Had warned

7. Has ordered

8. Has advised

9. Had tested

10. Will have been

11. CONDITIONAL I

Conditional clause main clause

If + Present Simple – will + bare infinitive

1. If we hurry, we’ll catch the bus.

2. If we miss it, there’ll be another one.

The Conditional clause can come before or after the main clause. We use a comma at the end of the

Conditional clause when it comes first.

1. If I hear any news, I’ll phone you.

2. I will phone you if I hear any news.

Other structures are possible, depending on what you want to say.

Conditional clause main clause

If + Present Simple – modal verb

If + Present Simple – be going to (future)

If + Present Simple – Imperative

If + Present Continuous – will + bare infinitive

If + Present Perfect – will + bare infinitive

If + Present Perfect – modal verb

Imperative – and/or + will

Exercises: Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. If you (see) Tom (tell) him I have message for him.

2. If you’d like some ice I (get) some from the fridge.

3. That book is overdue. If you (not take) it back to the library tomorrow you (have) to pay a fine.

4. If you (want) to see some of his drawings I (send) them round to your office.

5. (take) more exercise and you’ll soon feel better.

Answers:

1. If you see Tom tell him I have message for him.

2. If you’d like some ice I will get some from the fridge.

3. That book is overdue. If you don’t take it back to the library tomorrow you will have to pay a fine.

4. If you want to see some of his drawings I will send them round to your office.

5. Take more exercise and you’ll soon feel better.

Note: Conditional clauses are often used in imperative structures. Present Simple in Conditional clause

and imperative in the main clause.

When you are talking about a possible situation in the present, or a possible future occurrence, you

usually use the simple present tense in the conditional clause and the simple future tense in the main

clause.

If the sentence starts with the Imperative verb, you use simple future tense in the main clause.
MATHEMATICS

To answer the exercises below, it is assumed that you have already finished readingaddition of

integers and subtraction of integers.

In subtraction of integers, we have learned two rules:

(1) a – b = a + (-b)

(2) a – (-b) = a + b

We will use these rules in answering the exersises below.

Exercises

1. 2 – 5

2. 18 – ( – 2)

3. 16 – 7

4. -17 – 3

5. -9 – (-3)

6. 0 – (-11)

7. -18 – (-25)

8. -10 – 9

9. 12 – (-9)

10. -6 – 3

Solutions/Answers

1. 2 – 5

Solution 1: 5 is greater than 2. If you subtract two numbers, if the subtrahend is larger than the minuend,

the answer will be negative. So, the answer is -3.

Solution 2: From rule 1, a – b = a + (-b), so 2 + 5 = 2 + (-5) = -3

Answer:
2. 18 – ( – 2)

Solution: From rule 2, a – (-b) = a + b, so 18 + 2 = 20.

Answer: 20

3. 16 – 7

Answer: 9

4. -17 – 3

Solution: From rule 1, -17 – 3 = -17 + (- 3) = -20. Recall that in adding two negative numbers, we just add

the numbers and then the answer will be negative.

Answer: -20

5. -9 – (-3)

Solution: From rule 2, -9 – (-3) = -9 + 3 = -6.

6. 0 – (-11)

Solution: From rule 2, 0 – (-11) = 0 + 11 = 11.

7. -18 – (-25)

Solution: From rule 2, a –(-b) = a + b. So, -18 + 25 = 7.

8. -10 – 9

Solution: From rule 1, a – b = a + (-b), so -10 + (- 9) = – 19.

9. 12 – (-9)
Solution: From rule 2, a –(-b) = a + b, so 12 + 9 = 21.

10.- 6 – 3 Solution: From rule 1, a – b = a + (-b) = -6 + -3 = -9.

BACKWARS I

Most of us would always take a pen and solve for x if we see word problems. But did you know that you

can solve them by working backward or even mentally? In this post, I am going to teach you some

techniques on solving problems by working backward.

Example 1: One number is three more than the other. Their sum is 45. What are the numbers?

Solution

In the given, one number is 3 more than the other. This means that if you subtract 3 from the larger

number they will be equal. Note that if we subtract 3 from one of the numbers, then we should also

subtract 3 from their sum. Therefore, their sum will be 45 – 3 = 42. Since the numbers are equal, we now

divide the sum by 2. That is, 42/2 = 21.

So, the smaller number is 21 and the larger is 21 + 3 = 24.

Check: 21 + 24 = 45

Example 2: One number is 5 less than the other. Their sum is 43. What is the smaller number?

Solution

This is very similar to Example 1. Here, one number is 5 less than the other; so, if we add 5 to the smaller

number, they will be equal. If we add 5 to the smaller number, we should also add 5 to their sum.

Therefore, their sum will be 43 + 5 = 48. Since the two numbers are equal, we can divide the sum by 2.

That is 48/2 = 24. Since we added 5, it means that 24 is the larger number. So, the smaller number is 24

– 5 = 19.

Check: 19 + 24 = 43

BACKWARDS II
We use Second Conditional for unlikely situations in the present or future:

Conditional clause – Main clause

If + Past Simple – would

If I had a million pounds, I would probably buy a yacht.

The if – clause is usually past simple. However, we can also use the past continuous, could, or were/was

to:

If you were coming with me, I’d give you a lift.

If I could have the day off, I’d come with you.

If you were to ask John, I’m sure he would do it.

In the conditional clause, `were’ is sometimes used instead of `was’, especially after `I’.

If I were as big as you, I would kill you.

If I were asked to define my condition, I’d say `bored’.

The main clause often has ‘would’. We can also use ‘could’ or ‘might’.

If we had a calculator, we could work this out a lot quicker.

If she worked harder, she might do even better at her studies.

Exercises: Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. If we (work) all night we (finish) in time, but we have no intention of working all night.

2. If someone (ring) my doorbell at 3 a.m. I (be) very unwilling to open the door.

3. If I (have) heaps of money I (drink) champagne with every meal.

4. If the earth suddenly (stop) spinning we all (fly) off it.

5. Of course I’m not going to give her a diamond ring. If I (give) her a diamond ring she (sell) it.

Answers:

1. If we worked all night we would finish in time, but we have no intention of working all night.

2. If someone rang my doorbell at 3 a.m. I would be very unwilling to open the door.
 3. If I had heaps of money I would drink champagne with every meal.

4. If the earth suddenly stopped spinning, we would all fly off it.

5. Of course I’m not going to give her a diamond ring. If I gave her a diamond ring she would sell it.

Note: When you are talking about an unlikely situation, you use the simple past tense in the conditional

clause, and `would’ in the main clause.

BACKWARDS III

In part 1 and part 2 of this series, we have learned how to solve number age problems by working

backward. In this post, we are going to learn how to solve backward using inverse operations. Recall that

multiplication and division are inverse operations and addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Example 5

A number is multiplied by 4 and then, 3 is added to the product. The result is 31. What is the number?

Solution

The key phrases in this problem are (1) multiplied by 4 and (2) added to (3) the result is 31. Since we are

working backward, we start with 31, and then find the inverse of “added to 3” which is “subtract 3.” So, 31

– 3 = 28.

Next, we find the inverse of “multiplied by 4,” which is “divided by 4.” So, 28/4 = 7.

So, the answer to this problem is 7.

Check: 7(4) + 3 = 31

Example 6

Think of a number. Divide it by 8. Then subtract 4 from the quotient. The result is 5. What is the number?

Solution

The key phrases in this problem are (1) divided by 8 (2) subtract 4 and (3) the result is (3) the result is 5.

We start with the result which is 5 and find the inverse of “subtract 4” which is “add 4.” So, 5 + 4 = 9. Next,

we find the inverse of “divide by 8” which is “multiply by 8.” So, 9(8) = 72.
So, the correct answer is 72.

Check: 72/8 – 4 = 9 – 4 = 5.

QUADRATIC

Miel is 12 years older than Nina. The product of their ages is 540.

Solution

Let x = age of Nina

x + 12 = age of Miel

The product of their ages is 540, so we can multiply the expressions above and equate the product to

540. That is,

x(x + 12) = 540.

Multiplying the expressions, we have

Subtracting 540 from both sides, we obtain

We want to find two numbers whose product is -540 and whose sum is 12. Those numbers are -18 and

30.

This means that the factors are

(x – 18)(x + 30) = 0.

Equating each expression to 0, we have

x – 18 = 0, x = 18

x + 30 = 0, x = – 30.
Since we are talking about age, we take the positive answer x = 18.

This means that Nina is 18 years old. Therefore, Miel is 18 + 12 = 30 years old.

RATIO PROBLEMS

1.The ratio of two numbers 1:3. Their difference is 36. What is the larger number?

Solution and Explanation

Let x be the smaller number and 3x be the larger number.

3x – x = 36

2x = 36

x = 18

So, the smaller number is 18 and the larger number is 3(18) = 54.

Check:

The ratio of 18:54 is 1:3? Yes, 3 times 18 equals 54.

Is their difference 36? Yes, 54 – 18 = 36.

2.The ratio of the red, green, and blue balls in a box is 2:3:1. If there are 36 balls in the box, how many

green balls are there?

Solution and Explanation

From the previous, post we have already learned the algebraic solutions of problems like the one shown

above. So, we can have the following:

Let be the number of grous of balls per color.

So, there are 6 groups. Now, since we are looking for the number of green balls, we multiply x by 3.

So, there are 6 groups (3 green balls per group) = 18 green balls.

Check:

From above, is the number of blue balls. The expression 2x represent the number of red balls,

so we have 2x = 2(6) = 12 balls. Therefore, we have 12 red balls, 18 green balls, and 6 blue balls.

We can check by adding them: 12 + 18 + 6 = 36.

VOCABULARY

1. appease – to ease, to calm, to satisfy

To appease the angry passengers due to a 5-hour flight delay, the airline gave them free meals.

2. coerce – to force someone to do something by threat, intimidation, or authority

He was just coerced to sign the document, so the court did not honor the document as evidence.

3. confidante – somebody entrusted with secrets

Jean is my only confidante. She is the only one who understands my problems.

4. demure – shy, modest, reserved

She was not chosen by the panel because she was so demure during the interview. She didn’t look

confident.

5. erudite – characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly

After one audience asked an interesting question, the speaker gave a 10-minute eruditelecture about it.

6. fabricate – to make or build; to fake or forge

The parts of many products are fabricated in first world countries but they are usually assembled in

developing countries.

They try to fabricate a story in order to sell their magazine.

7. jubilant – showing great happiness, joy, or triumph

The jubilant coach ran around and shout loudly after his team won the championship game.

8. nadir – lowest point, point of greatest adversity or despair

The nadir of his career was the time when he was caught having an affair with his cousin.

9. parody – a piece of writing, music, etc. that imitates someone else in a funny or an amusing way

The students made a parody of how their teacher teach in a play.

10. vex – to annoy or irritate

My boyfriend keep on vexing me about getting married. I’m too young for that!

1. belligerent – angry and aggressive; feeling or showing readiness to fight

Sample Sentence: I don’t like the belligerent tone of his speech.

2. convergent – tending to come together; tending to move toward one point

Sample Sentence: Most of the speakers have convergent views toward the use of contraceptives.

3. delusion – belief in something that is not true

Sample Sentence: I think you are living in a delusion that you are better than everyone else.

4. gullible – too willing to believe everything that other people say; easy to deceive or trick

Sample Sentence: I think the voters now are wiser. Unlike before, many people are so gulliblethat they

believe almost every promise of any politician.

5. juxtapose – to put things that are not similar next to each other
Sample Sentence: The exhibit juxtaposed M.C. Escher’s earlier artworks and his later masterpieces.

6. maxim – a short statement about a general truth; a saying

Sample Sentence: It is a common maxim that “a book should not be judged by its cover.”

7. nullify – to cause something to have no value or effect; to declare to be legally void

Sample Sentence: The court did nullify their marriage because it was discovered that his husband was

married to another woman.

8. odyssey – a long journey which is usually marked by notable experiences, adventures, and hardships

Sample Sentence: Billy Beane has indeed an exciting odyssey before he became a well-known baseball

manager.

9. pacify – to bring or restore to a state of peace; to cause someone who is angry to be calm or quite

Sample Sentence: A charming airline attendant came out to pacify the crowd of people who were

complaining about the delayed flight.

10. recant – to announce in public that the past beliefs or statements were wrong and that you do not

agree with them anymore

Sample Sentence: After too much pressure from his family, he recanted his former statements favoring

the law on abortion.

1. affliction – state of pain, distress, or grief

Sample Sentence: We must not abandon our brothers and sisters in the time of theiraffliction.

2. cajole – to persuade someone to do something or to give you something by making promises or

saying nice things

Sample Sentence: Anna, the favorite daughter in the family, cajoled her father to buy her a new

computer.

3. drought – a long period of dry weather

Sample Sentence: Many crops were damaged because of the 5-month drought.

4. dumbfounded – so shocked that you cannot speech

Sample Sentence: Maria was dumbfounded when her boyfriend proposed to her in front of so many

people.

5. extol – to praise highly

Sample Sentence: His first movie was extolled by critics for its profound originality and musical scoring.
6. illicit – not legally authorized; not allowed

Sample: A teacher and student relationship in the same school is an illicit affair. -_-

7. harangue – a scolding or a long verbal attack; a long and passionate speech

Sample Sentence: He delivered his speech in a harangue: full of passion, vehemence, and discourse.

8. reverberate – to continue in a series of repeated sounds

Sample Sentence: The sound of his voice reverberates across the room.

9. succumb – to give away to a superior force; to yield to disease, or wounds (die)

Sample Sentence: After 3 years of suffering, she finally succumbed to cancer.

10. vehement – strongly emotional, passionate, zealous

Sample Sentence: Despite the vehement protest of the employees, the company did not give in to

increasing their salary or other benefits.

1. bias – the action of supporting/opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way.

Sample Sentence: Good judges must be objective about their decisions and must uphold the law

without bias.

2. contradiction – a disagreement between two things which means that both cannot be true;

inconsistency

Sample Sentence: How can anybody believe him? His statements are full of contradictions.

3. debris – the remains of something broken or destroyed; rubble, ruins

Sample Sentence: After the earthquake, two cars were hit by falling debris from a 21-story building.

4. elicit – to draw or bring out, to get or produce something (especially information)

Sample Sentence: If you ask questions, you will surely elicit answers.

5. mediocre – ordinary, of moderate quality

Sample Sentence: In our country, there are many blockbuster movies whose quality is less

than mediocre.

6. mendicant – someone who asks people whom they do not know for money

Sample Sentence: I am a spiritual person, but I do not really favor mendicants on the streets preaching

with their donation pouches displayed beside them.

7. nuisance – someone or something that is annoying

Sample Sentence: In my country, when you do not have money and you run for elections, they call you

a nuisance candidate.

8. provocative – serving to provoke, incite, or excite

Sample Sentences

 In hostage situations, the hostages are advised to refrain from making provocativeactions that will

anger the hostage takers.

 Some believe that one of the causes of rape are the women’s provocative outfits.

9. redundant – unnecessary repetition

Sample Sentence: “Kindly edit this article. Many of the sentences are redundant.”

10. sporadic – happening sometimes, not regularly

Sample Sentence: Ten kids died this month because of the sporadic cases of a new strain of influenza.

1. diligent – hardworking; constant in effort to accomplish something

Sample Sentence: That student is very diligent. He always submits his homework on time and does extra

work.

2. emulate – to try to equal or excel; to surpass

Sample Sentence: Many tenor singers nowadays are trying to emulate Pavarotti, but I think we only have

one Pavarotti in this generation.

3. haughty – proud, snobbish, arrogant

Sample Sentence: His haughty attitude makes everyone hate him.

4. incompatible – not to be able to exist together without conflict; not able to be used together

Sample Sentences

 Many stories tells how incompatible a prince and a pauper, but who cares about status anyway.

 This plug is incompatible with the socket. Kindly buy another one.

5. novice – a person who has just started doing something

Sample Sentence: For novice boxers, head gears are needed.

6. orator – an eloquent public speaker; a person who can make speeches and is very good in making

them

Sample Sentence: Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest orators of his time.

7. prosperity – the condition of being successful especially financially

Sample Sentence: “I wish you good luck, happiness, and prosperity in your newfound life.”

8. resilient – recovering readily from illness, depression, etc.

Sample Sentence: He was resilient enough to cope up with the tragedy that happened to his family.

9. submissive – obedient

Sample Sentence: During the feudal times in Japan, the women were expected to be totally submissive to

their husband.

10. substantiate – to establish proof or complete evidence

Sample Sentence: There were many allegations of corruption against him, but no one was able

to substantiate their claims.

1. brusque – unfriendly, rude, rough

Sample Sentence: Even some educated people cannot hide their brusque manner sometimes.

2. deprive – to take something away, to withhold something from the enjoyment or possession

Sample Sentence: Many parents deprive their kids of junk foods until the age of 10.

3. exploit – a notable deed or heroic act (noun), to utilize especially for profit (verb), to use selfishly for

one’s own gain (verb).

Sample Sentences

 The exploits of Achilles is known to many people, not just the Greeks.

 Many companies exploit their employees because they know that it is hard to find a job nowadays.

4. endeavor – to attempt with effort, to strive to achieve or reach

Sample Sentence: He endeavored to learn Kanji characters for 3 years in order to read Japanese manga.

5. grumble – to complain about something, to utter complain in a low voice

Sample Sentence: She always grumbles when you tell her to do something.

6. insatiable – incapable of being satisfied

Sample Sentence: His insatiable appetite for power and money made him sacrifice all of his loved ones.

7. meddle – to involve in a matter without right or invitation, to change or handle something in a way that

is unwanted or harmful

Sample Sentence: If people just don’t meddle with other people’s business, this world will be a better

place to live in.

8. obese – very fat, overweight

Sample Sentence: Most of the things that can be bought in fast food chains today can make you obese.

9. presumptuous – to be confident in a way that is rude

Sample Sentence: He does not care who is he talking to; he is always presumptuous.

10. tantalize – to tempt, to cause someone to feel interest or excitement

Sample Sentence: The President tantalized him to a position in the board and now he has abandoned his

principles.

1. affable – friendly, easy to talk to

Sample Sentence: He is a very good person, always welcoming, always affable.

2. docile – easily taught, obedient, ready to learn

Sample Sentences

 I am glad I have found a docile dog.

 His students are docile and hardworking.

3. enthrall – to captivate or charm, to hold the attention of someone by being exciting or interesting

Sample Sentence: I was entirely enthralled by listening to her song that I lost track of time.

4. fraud – a deception or trickery

Sample Sentence: A lot of people fall into different online fraud and lose a lot of money.

5. lucrative – money making, profitable

Sample Sentence: Online selling has become a lucrative business since the invention of social media

websites such as Facebook.

6. reclusive – a person who lives alone and withdrawn from society

Sample Sentence: Some persons become as reclusive as monks. They just do not want others to get in

their lives.

7. refurbish – to make neat or clean, to renovate, to resture

Sample Sentence: I bought this sofa from a second hand furniture shop and refurbished it. It looks like it’s

new!
8. shatter – to break something into pieces

 The glass window shattered after a strong earthquake.

 Even a fatal illness such as cancer did not shatter his dreams to win the Nobel Prize.

9. sycophant – a person who uses flattery to win favor

Sample Sentence: In our country, some people look at politicians as saviors, others look at them

as sycophants.

10. vindicate – to clear from accusation, blame, or suspicion and the like

Sample Sentence: Through the DNA technology, several prisoners were vindicated for the supposed

crimes that they did not commit.

1. arid – with very little rain or moisture, extremely dry

In the recent climate change, in some countries, the farmers could not grown anything on the lands that

had become arid. In some countries, though, it has been raining and flooding a lot.

2. conformist – a person who complies or follows tradition and usual practices (manners, religion, dress,

etc).

Being a conformist is good most of the time. But sometimes you must learn how to take risks.

3. deleterious – harmful, can cause injury

The rapid increase of factories and cards made the air more deleterious than ever.

4. elucidate – clarify, explain, make clear

Maybe he will elucidate his actions later. Don’t judge him just yet.

5. ephemeral – short lived, lasting for a short time

Sometimes, the ephemeral fame and the lack of investment of movie stars make them poor later in their

life.

6. intrepid – brave, courageous, fearless

Christopher Columbus’ intrepid explorations made him discover America.

7. jeopardy – exposure to harm; danger of injury, loss, death

Nobody ever wins in wars. They just put everyone in jeopardy: even children.

8. prudent – careful, exercising good judgement, cautious

Even though his boss yelled at him, he gave a prudent reply.

9. subtle – not obvious, mysterious, something that requires discernment

My absence during the meeting was a subtle protest to the management’s new implemented rules.

10. tactful – kind, considerate to others, someone who thinks of other people’s feelings

He is a very tactful young man. It’s hard to find such nowadays.

1. boisterous – noisy, rough, and energetic

Sample Sentence: The sound of her boisterous laughter was disturbing everyone.

2. camaraderie – a feeling of friendship to a group; good-fellowship

Sample Sentence: One of the most valuable things you learn in school aside from academic lessons

is camaraderie.

3. conundrum – a difficult problem having only a guess as an answer; a riddle or puzzle

Sample Sentence: The origin of the universe has always been a conundrum to humankind.

4. divergent – to follow to different directions; deviates from the standard

Sample Sentence: My business partners and I have divergent ideas on how to run our company.

5. foster – to help grow or develop

Sample Sentence: The UN has helped foster peace and equality among all the nations in the world.

6. intuitive – having to know or understand by means of feelings (and not by facts)

Sample Sentence: Most people have the intuitive knowledge of right and wrong.

7. mundane – worldly, common, ordinary

Sample Sentence: His mundane desires make people think that he is a shallow person.

8. opulent – expensive and luxurious

Sample Sentence: Before he went bankrupt, he had an opulent lifestyle.

9. procrastinate – to delay to do something because it is boring; to delay doing something out of laziness

Sample Sentence: Even if you procrastinate, you will still make a decision, so I suggest that you make up

your mind once and for all.

10. spontaneous – done or said without lots of thoughts and planning

Sample Sentence: My friend has a habit of spontaneous visiting even in late hours of the evening.

1. abdicate – to give up a throne or right, power, or claim in a formal manner.

Sample Sentence: Edward VIII abdicated his throne to be with the woman he loved.

2. candor – the quality of being frank, sincere, and honest

Sample sentence: Everyone was surprised by the candor of his speech because he usually evades

questions.

3. connive – to conspire; to secretly help someone do something dishonest

Sample Sentence: Two thieves connived with a bank employee and robbed the bank before it closed

yesterday.

4. eloquent – showing the ability to use the language clearly and effectively

Sample Sentence: Ninoy Aquino’s eloquent and lively speeches is one of the reasons why he always

spoke at the end of every event.

5. forsake – to quit or abandon entirely

Sample Sentence: Disability should not be the reason why you should forsake your dreams.

6. inhibit – to restrain or prohibit; to keep someone from doing something

Sample: The presence of CCTV did not inhibit the driver from beating the red light.

7. modicum – small amount or portion

Sample Sentence: He did not even show a modicum of guilt after saying lots of bad things to everyone.

8. nuance – small difference

Sample Sentence: The nuances in our beliefs shouldn’t be a hindrance to keep us united.

9. penchant – a strong liking or inclination

Sample Sentence: I have a penchant for classical music; Pavarotti was one of my favorite classical

singers.

10. zenith – the highest point or state

Sample Sentence: The zenith of the human mind is around at age 30. After that, it begins to decline.

1. alleviate – to make easier to endure, to lessen

Sample Sentence: After this operation, take three tablets everyday to alleviate the pain.

2. amicable – friendly, showing good will

Sample Sentence: After so many years of battle in courts, the two families finally agreed on

an amicable settlement.

3. benevolent – showing good will, desiring to help others

Sample Sentence: The first time I saw him, I knew that he was a benevolent person.

4. inevitable – sure to happen, unavoidable, certain

Sample Sentence: Death is inevitable. Taxes too.

5. scrutinize – to examine in detail

Sample Sentence: The guy who entered the building was suspicious, so the police scrutinizedbelongings.

6. tenacious – persistent, stubborn, obstinate, retentive

Sample Sentences

 That guy has been courting me for 5 years. He was so tenacious that I finally fell in love with him.

 I have quite a tenacious memory. I can’t forget a face.

7. disdain – to scorn, to treat with contempt, despise

After the death of his wife, he was offered a large amount of money by his boss, but he refused it

with disdain.

8. evident – plain or clear to the sight or understanding

Sample Sentence: Even when he was young, it was evident that he will do great things.

9. frugal – not wasteful, thrifty

Sample Sentence: All his life, he had been frugal in his expenses. No wonder he has a lot of money.

10. superficial – lacking in content, shallow

Sample Sentence: Sometimes, his writings seems superficial, but when you look at them deeply, you will

see the real meaning.