The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in the Philippines administers the Civil Service Eligibility Examination to evaluate and certify individuals for government service. This examination is divided into Professional and Subprofessional levels, each designed to assess the candidate's readiness and suitability for various roles within the public sector. Among the critical components of these exams is the Verbal Ability Test, which encompasses an assessment of Parts of a Word and Word Meanings.
Importance of Verbal Ability
Verbal ability is a fundamental skill required for effective communication and comprehension in any professional environment. In the context of civil service, proficiency in verbal ability ensures that employees can understand policies, draft reports, communicate with stakeholders, and interpret legal documents accurately. The Verbal Ability Test, therefore, serves as a measure of an individual's linguistic competence, critical thinking, and ability to process and convey information effectively.
Components of the Verbal Ability Test
The Verbal Ability Test in the CSC examinations is primarily divided into two major components: Parts of a Word and Word Meanings.
Parts of a Word
Understanding the parts of a word is essential for deciphering the meaning and function of complex terms. This component of the test focuses on:
Prefixes: These are groups of letters added to the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. For instance, "un-" in "unhappy" negates the word "happy."
Suffixes: These are groups of letters added at the end of a word to modify its meaning or grammatical function. For example, "-ness" in "happiness" changes the adjective "happy" into a noun.
Root Words: The root is the core part of the word that carries the primary meaning. Understanding roots helps in deciphering unfamiliar words. For example, the root "bio" means life, as seen in "biology" and "biography."
Compound Words: These are formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with a unique meaning. For example, "toothbrush" combines "tooth" and "brush."
By mastering these elements, candidates can better understand word formation and enhance their vocabulary, which is crucial for interpreting complex texts and instructions in civil service roles.
Word Meanings
This component assesses a candidate's ability to comprehend and use vocabulary accurately. It includes:
Synonyms: Words that have similar meanings. For example, "big" and "large." Recognizing synonyms helps in understanding nuanced differences in word usage and enhancing expressive language.
Antonyms: Words that have opposite meanings. For example, "hot" and "cold." Knowledge of antonyms is important for grasping context and contrasting concepts.
Homonyms: Words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. For example, "pair" and "pear." Understanding homonyms helps in avoiding confusion in both written and spoken communication.
Context Clues: These are hints or information within a sentence or paragraph that help deduce the meaning of an unfamiliar word. This skill is vital for reading comprehension and effective communication.
Idioms and Phrases: Common expressions that have a figurative meaning different from their literal interpretation. For example, "break the ice" means to initiate conversation in a social setting.
Relevance to Civil Service Examinations
The inclusion of Parts of a Word and Word Meanings in the Verbal Ability Test is designed to ensure that prospective civil servants possess a strong command of the language. This proficiency is necessary for tasks such as drafting clear and concise reports, understanding and interpreting legal documents, engaging in effective communication with colleagues and the public, and performing various other duties that require a high level of linguistic accuracy and comprehension.
The Verbal Ability Test in the CSC Professional and Subprofessional Eligibility Examinations is a critical measure of a candidate's language skills, focusing on the understanding of Parts of a Word and Word Meanings. Mastery of these components not only enhances one's vocabulary and comprehension abilities but also ensures effective communication, a skill indispensable for successful civil service. As such, preparing thoroughly for this aspect of the examination is essential for aspiring civil servants in the Philippines.
Welcome to our CSC Professional and Sub Professional Eligibility Examination Reviewer! In this session, you'll have the opportunity to test your understanding of key concepts in Parts of a Word and Word Meanings. The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions covering various topics. Pay close attention to each question and select the best answer. After completing the exam, check the video below for the answer key and explanations.
A. Parts of a Word
1. What is the term for the main part of a word that carries its core meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
2. What is the term for a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning?
A. Root
B. Suffix
C. Prefix
D. Affix
3. What is the term for a group of letters added to the end of a word to modify its meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Root
C. Suffix
D. Affix
4. Which term refers to a word part that is added to the beginning of another word to modify its meaning?
A. Suffix
B. Affix
C. Root
D. Prefix
5. What is the term for a word part that can be added to the beginning or end of a root word to modify its meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
6. What is the term for the smallest unit of meaning in a word that cannot be further divided?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Morpheme
D. Root
7. What term refers to a word part added to the beginning of another word to change its meaning?
A. Suffix
B. Prefix
C. Root
D. Affix
8. What is the term for a word part that can stand alone as a word and still carry meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
9. What term refers to a word part added to the end of another word to change its meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
10. What is the term for a group of letters added to a word to modify its meaning, which can be either a prefix or a suffix?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
11. What is the term for a word part that is added to the beginning of another word to modify its meaning?
A. Suffix
B. Affix
C. Root
D. Prefix
12. Which term refers to a word part that can be added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Root
C. Suffix
D. Affix
13. What is the term for a word part that comes after the root word and often indicates a grammatical function or meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
14. What term refers to a word part that carries the primary meaning of the word and cannot be further divided?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
15. What is the term for a word part that can be added to the beginning or end of a root word to modify its meaning?
A. Prefix
B. Suffix
C. Root
D. Affix
B. Word Meanings
1. What is the meaning of the word "capricious"?
A. Predictable
B. Unpredictable
C. Diligent
D. Serious
2. What is the meaning of the word "ubiquitous"?
A. Scarce
B. Rare
C. Widespread
D. Limited
3. What is the meaning of the word "ephemeral"?
A. Permanent
B. Temporary
C. Eternal
D. Enduring
4. What is the meaning of the word "exacerbate"?
A. To improve
B. To worsen
C. To ignore
D. To heal
5. What is the meaning of the word "veracity"?
A. Dishonesty
B. Truthfulness
C. Flexibility
D. Deception
6. What is the meaning of the word "alleviate"?
A. To intensify
B. To worsen
C. To relieve
D. To exacerbate
7. What is the meaning of the word "magnanimous"?
A. Generous
B. Selfish
C. Cruel
D. Unkind
8. What is the meaning of the word "opulent"?
A. Poor
B. Wealthy
C. Modest
D. Simple
9. What is the meaning of the word "precocious"?
A. Mature
B. Immature
C. Advanced
D. Delayed
10. What is the meaning of the word "ephemeral"?
A. Lasting
B. Fleeting
C. Enduring
D. Permanent
11. What is the meaning of the word "frugal"?
A. Wasteful
B. Extravagant
C. Economical
D. Lavish
12. What is the meaning of the word "empathy"?
A. Indifference
B. Compassion
C. Apathy
D. Sympathy
13. What is the meaning of the word "exonerate"?
A. To condemn
B. To blame
C. To pardon
D. To accuse
14. What is the meaning of the word "resilient"?
A. Fragile
B. Vulnerable
C. Strong
D. Weak
15. What is the meaning of the word "benevolent"?
A. Selfish
B. Unkind
C. Malevolent
D. Kind-hearted
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THE ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATION
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