NTS Verbal Reasoning: Sentence Completion 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The student was _____ for his outstanding performance in the examination.
- criticized
- commended (Correct answer)
- condemned
- cautioned
Correct answer: commended
'Commended' means praised or recognized positively, which fits the context of outstanding performance.
'Commended' means to formally praise or express approval. In the context of outstanding exam performance, commendation (positive recognition) is the logical response. 'Criticized' implies negative feedback, 'condemned' means strong disapproval, and 'cautioned' means warned. Context-based vocabulary selection is a key NTS verbal skill.
Question 2: Despite his _____, he managed to complete the marathon in record time.
- strength
- injury (Correct answer)
- training
- enthusiasm
Correct answer: injury
'Despite' indicates contrast. An injury would be an obstacle, making his record time more impressive.
The word 'despite' introduces a concessive clause, indicating that what follows is an obstacle or contrary condition. An injury is a hindrance to running a marathon, making his record completion surprising and noteworthy. Strength, training, and enthusiasm would help, not hinder, so they don't create the contrast 'despite' requires. Understanding discourse markers is essential for NTS sentence completion.
Question 3: The government has taken _____ measures to control inflation in the country.
- lenient
- stringent (Correct answer)
- casual
- minimal
Correct answer: stringent
'Stringent' means strict and precise, appropriate for serious economic measures.
'Stringent' means strict, precise, and demanding. In the context of controlling inflation (a serious economic issue), stringent measures imply strong, effective policies. 'Lenient' (mild), 'casual' (relaxed), and 'minimal' (very small) would not adequately address inflation. Contextual vocabulary in governance and economics is tested in NTS.
Question 4: The scientist made a _____ discovery that changed our understanding of the universe.
- trivial
- groundbreaking (Correct answer)
- minor
- routine
Correct answer: groundbreaking
'Groundbreaking' means innovative and pioneering, fitting a discovery that changed understanding.
'Groundbreaking' means innovative, pioneering, or revolutionary. A discovery that 'changed our understanding of the universe' must be of enormous significance. 'Trivial' (unimportant), 'minor' (small), and 'routine' (ordinary) contradict the clause about changing understanding. NTS sentence completion tests the ability to match word meaning with contextual clues.
Question 5: Her _____ nature made her popular among colleagues and friends alike.
- hostile
- arrogant
- amiable (Correct answer)
- reserved
Correct answer: amiable
'Amiable' means friendly and pleasant, which would make someone popular.
'Amiable' means friendly, pleasant, and good-natured. Being amiable naturally leads to popularity among colleagues and friends. 'Hostile' (unfriendly), 'arrogant' (self-important), and 'reserved' (withdrawn) would not typically make someone popular. Character trait vocabulary and logical context matching are important NTS skills.
Question 6: The ancient manuscript was so _____ that only experts could decipher its contents.
- clear
- legible
- cryptic (Correct answer)
- simple
Correct answer: cryptic
'Cryptic' means mysterious and difficult to understand, requiring experts to decipher.
'Cryptic' means having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious. The clause 'only experts could decipher its contents' indicates extreme difficulty in understanding, which aligns with cryptic. 'Clear', 'legible' (easy to read), and 'simple' would not require expert decipherment. NTS sentence completion often pairs a vocabulary word with contextual clues that define it.
NTS Verbal Reasoning: Sentence Completion 2
The student was _____ for his outstanding performance in the examination.