Verbal Abilities in English

Direction: Select the correct answer for each of the following questions.

1. The convicted criminal will be ________ the day after tomorrow.

a. hung c. hanged
b. hang d. hunged

2. The governor, with his board of members and supporters, _________ one town once a month.
a. visit c. is visiting
b. visits d. usually visits

3. I think one or two of the speakers _______ here now.

a. were c. is
b. are d. will be

4. Much _____ left unproductive by the flooding.

a. has been c. is visiting
b. is d. have been

5. Uncle Drew bought the motorbike for Kyrie and _______ as a prize for our winning the
competition.
a. mine c. me
b. myself d. I

6. Everyone in the field of entertainment ______ to watch the Oscar Awards.

a. was excited c. is certainly excited
b. were excited d. are certainly excited

7. If I could speak Spanish, I _______ studying in Spain next year.

a. will spent c. would spend
b. will be d. would have spend

8. As he _________ of his speech, he pointed out his hopes and aspirations for the Filipino
Youth.
a. nears the end c. near the start
b. neared the end d. neared the end

9. Let _____ who believes in this prophet speak now what he knows.
a. he c. him
b. himself d. his self

10. The family of Mrs. Procopio does not live here _____.
a. no more c. any more
b. any more d. moreover

11. I want to deal with ______ has the authority to issue the necessary permits
a. Whom d. whoever
b. Whomever e. who
 Verbal Abilities in English

12. Neither he nor I ______ your most trusted officer.

a. Is d. were
b. Am e. was

13. Have you ______ enough water today before the final games?
a. Drink d. drank
b. Drunked e. drunk

14. ______ dates are irrelevant to her case being heard by Judge Torio.
a. This d. those
b. These e. that

15. “He has been absent for three days because he is ______ with measles.”
a. Affected of d. afflicted with
b. Afflicted of e. affected with

16. ______ architects of economic policy encourage the government to pursue sustained export
development.
a. These d. the
b. All e. some

17. After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the residents from the affected areas ______ who called
on the Red Cross for aid and assistance.
a. Were the ones d. which were the ones
b. Who were the ones e. whom were the ones

18. During the Independence Day celebrations, the directive is ______.

a. Hang your flags on June 12 d. hanged your flags on June 12
b. Hanged your flags during June 12 e. hung your flags on June 12

19. A number of students ______ late this morning due to a vehicular accident along EDSA.
a. Was d. we’re
b. Were e. has been

20. Therefore, in aid if legislation, ______ must be no let-up in the investigations and public
hearings.
a. There’ll d. there
b. They’re e. their
 Verbal Abilities in English

Direction: Each sentence below has an underlined word or phrase. Choose the word or phrase that is
most nearly similar in meaning to the underlined word.

21. Indulgent parents spoil their children by giving in to their every demands and whims.
a. Loving c. beneficial e. indecisive
b. Generous d. yielding

22. The depravity of the criminal’s behaviour shocked all.

a. harshness c. deprivations e. viciousness
b. gravity d. effects

23. He is more concerned with mundane matters like the movement of stock market.
a. simple c. worldly e. economic
b. financial d. investments

24. They resent his hypocritical posing as a friend for they know he is interested only on his own
advancement.
a. exaggerated c. deceitful e. toxic
b. excessive d. narrow-minded

25. The vowed to remain steadfast in their support of the Group’s cause.
a. strong c. loyal e. reassuring
b. articulate d. noble

26. The young wrestler struggled to defeat his adversary who is the current Southeast Asian Games
Champion
a. opponent c. colleague e. enemy
b. partner d. mentor

27. The Regency Club is perfect for the business traveller in search of privacy, convenience and
the eminent level of personalized service.
a. topmost c. distinguished e. classy
b. welcome d. approximate

28. The secret agents in charge of protecting the president tried to be as unobtrusive as possible.
a. novel c. harsh e. inconspicuous
b. shadowy d. strict

29. Marites was frightened by the amorphous mass which had floated in from the sea.
a. shapeless c. starlike e. rotting
b. solid d. rock-hard

30. Let him drink the juice. It is innocuous and will have no effect.
a. incapable c. harmful e. toxic
b. non dangerous d. tasteless
 Verbal Abilities in English

Directions: Each question below consists of a related pair of words followed by 5 other words. Select
the lettered word that BEST expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair. Write
the letter that corresponds to your answer.

31. ______ is to insects as toxicology is to ______.

a. Entomology : poisons d. etymology : toxicity
b. Phraseology : behaviour e. biology : chemistry
c. Ichthyology : dinosaurs

32. Caution is to ______ as radar is to ______.

a. Carelessness : war d. protection : direction
b. Worry : disaster e. accident : collision
c. Sanitation : tracking

33. ______ is to votes as census is to ______.

a. Tally : population d. voters : workers
b. Election : statistics e. hospital : revenues
c. Comelec : DepEd

34. ______ is to tooth as ______ is to stump.

a. Decay : dry d. fill : plant
b. Extract : uproot e. enamel : cork
c. Pull : push

35. ______ is to letter as deck is to ______.

a. Message : ship d. envelope : ship
b. Preface : bow e. mail : distance
c. Alphabet : cards

36. Quart is to ______ as minute is to ______.

a. Pint : second d. volume : hour
b. Liter : time e. millennium : length of time
c. Gallon : 60 mins

37. Electrician : pliers : : ______ : ______

a. Journalist : typewriter d. poet : poetry
b. Carpenter : lumber e. surgeon : operation
c. Plumber : pipe

38. Stage : actor : : ______ : ______

a. Quarry : sculptor d. rink : skater
b. Baton : conductor e. radio : announcer
c. Safe : banker
 Verbal Abilities in English

39. Island : archipelago : : ______ : ______

a. Team : player d. multitude : horde
b. Sphere : hemisphere e. peninsula : continent
c. Star : galaxy

40. Armoury : weapons : : ______ : ______

a. Penitentiary : warden d. warehouse : merchandise
b. Courthouse : laws e. hospital : patients
c. Banks : mortgages

41. Seer : prophecy : : ______ : ______

a. Judge : verdict d. poet : beauty
b. Architect : design e. teacher : student
c. Carpenter : house

42. ______ : organization : : ______ : army

a. Merger : assembly d. resignation : integration
b. Disband : demobilize e. employee : officer
c. Discharge : dismissal

43. Water : bucket : : ______ : ______

a. Acorn : tree d. grain : silo
b. Seed : cob e. fruits : grocery
c. Doctor : profession

44. Wheat : grain : : ______ : ______

a. Beef : cow d. coconut : palm
b. Lime : orange e. hamburger : bun
c. Carrot : vegetable

45. Stable : horse : : ______ : ______

a. Sty : pig d. swarm : bees
b. Pond : duck e. zoo : lioness
c. School : fish
 Verbal Abilities in English

Direction: Each paragraph or quotation below is followed by several statements, one of which best
summarizes the paragraph or quotation. Write the letter of your choice on the blank provided after the
last exercise.

46. The failed July 27, 2003 mutiny was believed by many as a plan by the Magdalo Group as an
attempt to stage a take over of government. It was viewed as a desperate attempt by the
mutineers who were supported by influential and politically motivated men who financed the
mutiny, according to the Feliciano Commission. The action was found to be unconstitutional
as it violates both Articles of War and the Revised Penal Code. Such act can lead to either Court
Martial or Civilian proceedings or even both.

The best title for the above article is:

a. Failed Mutiny
b. Illegal Soldiers’ Uprising
c. Coup d’etat
d. Articles of War and Punishment

Answer: ___________

47. The importance of breakfast for the young and the old cannot be underestimated. No hearty
meal or snacks can take the place of this meal. The word “breakfast” is coined to break the
fasting of from 5-8 hours of sleeping at night time. Studies have shown that a well-planned
breakfast which is eaten assures the well-being of everybody for the whole day’s work.
Nutritionists conclude that children who start the day, eating the right food at breakfast, perform
much better with school work. This holds true with adults as regards their performance in their
work place. Even to those who watch their diet, a good breakfast cannery will substitute for
succeeding heavy snacks and meals throughout the day. Hence, the adage: Eat breakfast like a
king, eat lunch and dinner like a pauper.

The above selection supports the idea:

a. That breakfast has to be expensive.

b. That breakfast should be well-eaten
c. That breakfast must be well-prepared and more importantly, be eaten before starting
the day.
d. That breakfast is the right meal for the day.

Answer: ___________
 Verbal Abilities in English

48. An effective communication takes place when basic skills are present. The first is called the
encoding skills, which are concerned with the speaking and writing. The other skills are
listening and reading and are called the decoding skills. Furthermore, the skill considered the
highest form of mental process is reasoning. The absence of the ability to speak and write, listen
and read, as well as the ability to think, prevent a person to communicate effectively.

The paragraph emphasizes the fact that-___________

a. In any communication process, speaker-listener relationship must be stressed.

b. Certain communication skills are essential in order to have better communication ideas
c. Without the ability to speak and write, listen and read, plus the ability to think through,
one cannot communicate effectively.

Answer: ____________

49. Letters written about remittances, inquiries, replies, requests and acknowledgment of orders,
are known as utility letters. Although they are part of the routine in an office, they should be
made very clear, specific and in good taste. Errors made in billing or extra charges made on
orders deserve a gracious apology and tact.

The paragraph acknowledges the fact:

a. The utility letters are used for some specific purposes.

b. That, although by nature a routine matter, utility letter is written for a definite purpose
and with clarity, precision and tact.
c. That the office should have a utility letter form.
d. That several classes of letters can make up a utility letter.

Answer: ___________

50. It is fascinating to observe now people work with lightning speed and with zealousness when
the prospect of vacation is clear. One notices how college students cram toward the end of the
semestral work for the final exams and how players in the hardcourt work for the goal
particularly at the last quarter of a game. The same spirit is evident when production output in
factories is increased especially if the payday falls on a Friday.

The paragraph attest to the truth that…

a. Man works hard whenever he is paid well.

b. Man speeds up the completion of task when a satisfying end is anticipated on.
c. Man can work hard whenever he desires.
d. Man needs a good vacation once in a while.

Answer: ___________
 Verbal Abilities in English

Directions: This exercise aims to familiarize you with some common clerical office procedures.
Choose the correct answer from the choices given.

51. If the following procedures are to be arranged in proper order, what will be the best order of
arrangement for receiving or purchasing clerk do?

1. Inspect the goods being delivered

2. Request for the quotation/price of the goods ordered etc.
3. Write a claim for damaged shortage of delivery
4. Prepare the form for purchase order
5. Pay the goods that are ordered
6. Make a request for the good, services or order.

a. 123456 c. 351426 e. 234165

b. 624135 d. 124563

52. Which of the following is not a way to requisition a product?

a. By filling up purchase order form
b. By telephoning
c. By writing
d. by ordering through the sales representative
e. by getting the product short of prior notice

53. To whom will the duty of ordering needed goods fall?

a. Purchasing clerk d. manager
b. Salesman e. accounting clerk
c. Receiving clerk

54. The following except one are outstanding clerical abilities expected by a head of his
employees. Which is the exception?
a. Willingness to work well with others.
b. Taking unnecessary leave of absence.
c. Taking responsibility on the assigned task.
d. Needing the least amount of supervision.
e. Acquiring new procedures and techniques for the job.

55. Which of the following is not a term used in the filing process?
a. Cross-referencing d. decoding
b. Coding e. indexing
c. Unit

56. All except one of the following are commonly used indexing systems. Which one is the odd?
a. Directory d. subject files
b. Alphabetic e. numeric
c. Geographic
 Verbal Abilities in English

57. Which department in an office takes care of preparing the customer’s account to the
company?
a. Indexing section d. purchasing section
b. Ordering section e. wholesale/retail section
c. Billing section

58. If you were to handle an order of your company’s merchandise from a customer, which of the
following is not one of the things you will do?
a. Prepare on voice of the order you received
b. Not the customer and his address
c. Carefully check the order
d. Keep the enclosed payment in your custody
e. Consult your head if some information are missing regarding orders.

59. Which documents indicate the returned items and deducted payment by a customer to your
company?
a. Circular d. credit document
b. Purchase invoice e. sales invoice
c. Letter of credit

60. Which of the following is not a necessary document in an office?

a. Purchase invoice d. marriage license
b. Credit memorandum e. requisition voucher
c. Official receipt

61. Which one of the following does not fall under the major duties of an efficient office clerk?
a. Getting acquainted with people
b. Making letters
c. Buying and requisitioning
d. Operating the telephone switch board

62. Which of the following forms is not the concern of a clerk in a business establishment?
a. Stock room requisition c. DECS Form 137
b. Voucher for requisition d. purchase order

63. All the following except one is associated with indexing. Which is this one?
a. Sophomoric c. geographic
b. Numeric d. alphabetic

64. In receiving an inter-office telephone calls, one of the following is definitely a proper
procedure to do. Which one is this?
a. Answer the phone promptly and give your department
b. Answer with “Hello” and wait until the other line sends the message
c. Get a ballpen and a memo pad, then answer the phone
d. Engage the caller in a social talk, or send reply thru texting
 Verbal Abilities in English

65. In addressing the Pope, which way is preferred?

a. Your Majesty c. His Excellency
b. Your Excellency d. Your Honor

66. The law which mandates use of Filipino in government office correspondence.
a. R.A. 336 c. Executive Order 335
b. Executive Order 336 d. Adm. Order 338

67. Which of the following is not a way of relaying information to various offices?
a. Department Order c. Department Memo
b. Memorandum Circular d. Order Form

68. Which is not an appointment given to hiree in any establishment?

a. Temporary c. emergency appointment
b. Regular e. permanent-casual

69. Which of the following responsibilities does not belong to a clerical worker in a company?
a. Processing orders
b. Billing orders
c. Type and filing correspondence
d. Providing customers with promotional sample of products

70. Your company wants to requisition some goods from company A. Which of the following
ways will you use to insure quick delivery of the ordered goods?
a. Send letter via ordinary mail
b. Wait for the company salesman to arrive
c. Fill up a purchase order for the purpose, fax it to the company concerned
d. Wait for the company to inquire about your order
 Verbal Abilities in English

Answer Key

1. C 36. A
2. B 37. A
3. B 38. D
4. A 39. C
5. C 40. E
6. C 41. A
7. C 42. B
8. D 43. D
9. C 44. C
10. C 45. A
11. C 46. B
12. B 47. B
13. E 48. B
14. C 49. B
15. C 50. B
16. C 51. B
17. A 52. E
18. A 53. A
19. B 54. B
20. C 55. D
21. D 56. A
22. E 57. C
23. C 58. D
24. C 59. D
25. C 60. D
26. A 61. A
27. C 62. C
28. E 63. A
29. A 64. A
30. B 65. B
31. A 66. C
32. E 67. D
33. B 68. D
34. B 69. D
35. C 70. C