MODULE 2

VERBAL APTITUDE FOR

EMPLOYMENT
VERBAL APTITUDE FOR EMPLOYMENT

Grammar and Vocabulary

1. Meaning of Words in Context

2. Synonyms & Antonyms

3. Standard Abbreviations

4. Identifying Common Errors

5. Subject - Verb Agreement

6. One Word Substitution

7. Pairs of Confused Words

8. Articles

9. Prepositions
1. MEANING OF WORDS IN CONTEXT

Words, phrases, and expressions can have different meanings in different contexts. The study of these
different meanings is known as semantics. This branch of study examines four qualities of word meaning –
denotative, figurative, metaphorical, and connotative – which will be described below.
Denotation – The definition of a word that we find in the dictionary, its literal or direct meaning, is known
as its denotative meaning. Have a look at the following words, listed with their denotative meanings:
•bat : (noun) a small mammal with wings that sleeps during the day
•snake : (noun) a long, scaly reptile without legs that sometimes carries venom
•slim : (adj) slender or thin
Figurative meaning – When words are used metaphorically as “figures of speech,” they have figurative
meaning. Figures of speech are widely used in English. Take a look at the following examples of figurative
meaning:
•I told you a million times to stop doing that! (to tell many times)
•That cost me an arm and a leg! (to be very expensive)
•He was as brave as a lion. (to be very brave)
•Sitting through that class was like watching paint dry. (class was very boring and slow)
Words with Multiple Meanings
How many times have you opened a dictionary to look up a word, and discovered that the
word has only one meaning listed beside it? Essentially never, right? Almost every word in the
English language has multiple meanings and may function as multiple parts of speech.
For example:
rose
•It’s time to prune the rose bush. (adjective)
•I gave the dancer a rose. (noun)
•I rose from the bench and walked home. (verb)
part
•I like to part my hair neatly. (verb)
•She only read one part of the book. (noun)
•My mom is Kenyan, so I am part Kenyan. (adjective)
Words with multiple meanings often fall into one of the two categories:
•Homonyms – Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings.
•Homographs – Words with the same spelling, but different pronunciation and different
meanings.
Take a look at the lists of homonyms and homographs below.
 HOMONYMS: TWO OR MORE WORDS THAT
HAVE THE SAME SOUND OR SPELLING BUT
DIFFERENT IN MEANING. REFERS TO BOTH:

Homophones Homographs
abc
 Same sound Spelled same
 Different meaning Different meaning
 Different Spelling Different pronunciation

Witch Which
 Bow your head
Blue Blew
 Tie your bow
Wait Weight
 That forest has many does
Air Heir
 He does care for her.
Hair Hare
 HOMONYMS
crane: leaves:
•Cranes are beautiful birds. (noun – bird)
•The leaves change colors in autumn. (noun –
•The crane was used to lift the steel bars to the top of the from trees)
building. (noun – machine)
•She had to crane her neck to see the movie. (verb –
•My dad eats cereal every day before he leaves
stretch out) for work. (verb – present)
date: point:
•Dried dates are one of the most delicious snacks. (noun •The knife has a sharp point. (noun – tip of an
– fruit)
object)
•Diego went out on a date last Saturday. (noun – social
appointment) •Can you point to the person you saw stealing?
•What date is Thanksgiving this year? (noun – day of the (verb – hand gesture)
month)
right:
engaged:
•You were right about the weather; it’s been
•My brother got engaged to his girlfriend this weekend.
(adjective – agree to marry) pouring rain all day. (adjective – correct)
•The teacher chose very engaging topics to keep the •Take a right at the next traffic light. (adjective –
students interested. (adjective – appealing) direction)
Homographs
read:
•I read books before I go to sleep. (present tense)
•He read a book last night before he went to sleep. (past tense)
minute:
•Our problems seem minute compared to those who face war and uncertainty on a daily basis.
(adjective – small)
•Stir for a minute and then turn the heat down on the stove. (noun – 60 seconds)
learned:
•We learned how to use the present perfect continuous in class last week. (verb – past)
•My teacher is a very learned individual who went to Oxford. (adjective – educated)
does:
•He does his homework in the morning before school starts. (verb – present)
•The hunters were chasing does in the forest. (noun – female deer)
wind:
•The wind blew all the chairs over in the backyard. (noun – moving air)
•Make sure you wind up the clock after you put the turkey in the oven. (verb – present)
CONNOTATIONS
CONNOTATIONS ARE THE FEELINGS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND IDEAS THAT
CERTAIN WORDS INVOKE BEYOND THEIR LITERAL OR PRIMARY DEFINITION.
THESE ARE OFTEN CULTURALLY BASED.
CONNOTATIONS CAN BE NEGATIVE, POSITIVE, OR NEUTRAL.

 For example:
•childish: The way he acted at dinner was childish and silly.
•woman: I know that woman over by the bar.
•stunning: The dress that she wore to the dinner party was stunning.
The first example, “childish,” has a negative connotation which implies that the person in
question acted immaturely. Saying that an adult is acting “childishly” is not a compliment,
but is rather insulting, connoting a lack of maturity, responsibility, and wisdom. If an adult is
described as “childlike,” however, the connotation is positive.
The second example, “woman,” has a neutral connotation, implying nothing more than the
fact that the person in question is female. The word does not imply that she is intelligent,
unintelligent, good-hearted, mean-spirited, or anything else. In effect, neutral connotations
are better thought of as not having connotation so much as simple, literal meaning.
The last example, “stunning,” has a positive connotation, implying that the dress
is beautiful or gorgeous, which can only be interpreted as complimentary.
HERE ARE SOME MORE EXAMPLES OF NEGATIVE,
POSITIVE, AND NEUTRAL CONNOTATIONS:

•cheap – (negative) a person who does not like to spend money.

•thrifty – (positive) a person who is careful with money.
•young – (neutral) a person who is of a young age.
•youthful – (positive) a person who may not be young, but has all the good qualities of youth.
•childish – (negative) a person who behaves like a child in a negative way.
•thin – (neutral) a body size that is the opposite of fat.
•slim – (positive) a body size which is thin and also healthy and elegant.
•skinny – (negative) a body size which is so thin as to appear unhealthy.
•inactive – (neutral) doing nothing.
•laid-back – (positive) to have a relaxed attitude.
•lazy – (negative) avoiding work and effort
2. SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS

Synonyms
A synonym is a word, or in some cases a phrase that has the same
meaning as another word with regards to the same language. If the
meaning is not exactly the same, the words have very similar
meanings in the context.
When two words are synonyms of one another, we call them
synonymous words. Let us take the example of the word “jump”.
The words leap, bounce, hop are all synonymous to jump, i.e. they
have the same (or very similar) meanings.
At some times there are cases where the word has more than one
meaning. The meaning of the word can only be judged by the
context in which it has been used as a sentence. In such a case the
synonyms of the word will also differ according to the context. Let
us take the example of the word “free”.
•One meaning of the word free is to be without restrictions, and in
this case, the synonym would be ‘independent‘.
•Another meaning of the word free is to be free of charge, and so
here the synonym would be ‘complementary’ or ‘gratuitous’.
Antonyms
Now as opposed to a synonym, an antonym is a word whose
meaning is exactly opposite to another word, in the same
language. It originates from the Greek word “anti” which stands for
opposite and “onym” which stands for “name”. For example the
antonym for hot is cold, and the antonym for up is down.
Antonyms are actually quite useful in the English language. At
times it is easy to understand the meaning and the context of a
difficult word, by knowing what the opposite of the word means.
Take for example the word “mundane” whose synonym is
“humdrum”. The antonym for mundane is “extraordinary” or
“imaginative”. Now the word mundane has much better clarity.
EXAMPLES OF SYNONYMS AND
ANTONYMS
Word Synonym Antonym
Abundant Plentiful, Ample Scarce, Sparse
Appeal Attract, Interest Bore
Elaborate Detailed, Inticrate Simple, Plain
Optimistic
Bright, Promising Pessimistic
 
Boisterous Lively, Exuberant Quire, Restrained
Inept Incompetent, Unskilled Competant
Soothe Ease, Relieve Aggravate
Linger Stay put, Remain Vanish
Vital Essential, Crucial Unimportant
Q: Choose the option which means the opposite of the given word: Copious
1.Plentiful
2.Revenge
3.Scarce
4.None of the above
Ans: The answer is C. Copious means in abundance or plentiful. So the antonym is
sparse or scarce.
Q: He was truly pleased with his life. Replace the highlighted word with an
appropriate synonym from the following.
1.Content
2.Regards
3.Irritated
4.Contents
Ans: The answer is A. Pleased means happy and satisfied. So the sentence will be
“He was truly content with his life.”
3. STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations are shortened form of long words and lengthy

phrases. It makes it easier to read difficult and complex words. For
example, short form or abbreviation of ASAP is As Soon As Possible.
Most commonly used abbreviations are Dr. for Doctor, or Mr. and
Ms. for Mister and Miss. Some common abbreviations used on
social media are LOL (Laugh Out Loud), IDK (I Don’t Know), BRB (Be
Right Back). Abbreviations itself has its short form as abbr., abbrv.
or abbrev. Abbreviations are also known as Acronyms but there is a
slight difference between them. Abbreviations are most useful
while short-hand writing.
TYPES OF ABBREVIATIONS
What is an Acronym?
An acronym is a form of abbreviation. There is some difference
between the two. Abbreviations are the shorter version of a word or
phrase.
An acronym is a specific type of abbreviation. It is formed from the
first letters of a multi-word term, name or phrase.
Example of abbreviation: Important is written as imp.
Abbreviation of Acronym: FBI stands for Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Initialism of acronym is capital, whereas abbreviation can have
both capital and small letters.
 RULES OF ABBREVIATIONS

Rule 1
If a person is using an abbreviation for the first time, he must place it within parenthesis after the term.
Consider an example of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Rule 2
Proper nouns are abbreviated with capital letters while the common nouns are not. For example, RBI stands
for Reserve Bank of India.
Rule 3
Abbreviate the familiar terms. Consider the example of USA – United States of America, TV – Television, FBI,
IAS etc.
Rule 4
One can abbreviate the titles or professions while using them with the full name or initials. Dr. Mehta is one
such example.
Rule 5
No need of periods (.) for some abbreviations to indicate dates. 400 BC, 400 AD are such examples.
Rule 6
One can abbreviate months and days of the week while using them with the full date. For example, Dec. 5,
1924
Rule 7
One can abbreviate the clock time. A person can use capital letters and with or without periods. Use of
periods is necessary when using lowercase letters. One cannot use an abbreviation when no time is attached.
For example, at 8 AM, 7 PM etc.
Rule 8
For time zones, one can use abbreviations with no periods. For example, IST stands for Indian Standard Time, EST stands
for Eastern Standard Time.
Rule 9
One can abbreviate some scientific or measurement terms. For examples, Kilogram is abbreviated as kg. Kmph stands for
kilometer per hour.
Rule 10
The abbreviation of the word number is No. Sometimes a person can also use the symbol # to represent it. Street No. 89
denotes street number 89.
Rule 11
Name of cities, towns, country can also be abbreviated. One can also abbreviate the names of directions also. For
example, LA stands for Los Angeles, N.W. stands for North–West etc.
Rule 12
A person can also abbreviate some Latin terms. For examples, e.g. stands for example; i.e., stands for that is or in other
words etc.
Rule 13
One should not abbreviate terms only to save time and space. For example using nite for night, gud for good etc.
Rule 14
If an abbreviation is coming at the end of the sentence, use only one period. For any interrogative or exclamatory
sentences use the respective symbols after the period in the abbreviation.
Rule 15
Use lowercase s (and not ‘s) for the plural form of an abbreviation. CDs, DVDs, PCs, TVs etc. are some of the examples.
List of Commonly Used Abbreviations
•Mr. for Mister
•Dr. for Doctor
•AM for Ante Meridiem
•PM for Post Meridiem
•PC for Personal Computer
•BTW for By the way
•IDK for I Don’t Know
•LOL for Laugh Out Loud
•E.g for Example Given or For Example
•Etc. for Et cetera
Solved Examples for You
Problem: What is the full form of CBI?
1.Central Bureau of Investigation
2.Central Board of Investigation
3.Crime Board of Investigation
4.Crime Board Institution
Solution: 1. Central Bureau of Investigation.
Problem: What can be the abbreviation of ‘Industrial Credit and Investment
Corporation of India’?
1.ICAICI
2.ICAICoI
3.IC&ICI
4.ICICI
Solution: 4. ICICI. One does not include the abbreviation of the terms like and, of in
general.
4. IDENTIFYING COMMON ERRORS
1. Run-on Sentence or Comma Splice
A run-on sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses without punctuation or the
appropriate conjunction. A comma splice is similar to a run-on sentence, but it uses a comma to join two
clauses that have no appropriate conjunction. Fixing a run-on sentence or a comma splice can be
accomplished in one of five different ways.
Incorrect sentence: “Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old.”
•Solution 1: Separate the clauses into two sentences. “Rachel is very smart. She began reading when she
was three years old.”
•Solution 2: Replace the comma with a semicolon. “Rachel is very smart; she began reading when she
was three years old.”
•Solution 3: Replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction. “Rachel is very smart, for she began
reading when she was three years old.”
•Solution 4: Replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction. “Rachel is very smart because she
began reading when she was three years old.”
•Solution 5: Replace the comma with a semicolon and transitional word or phrase. “Rachel is very smart;
as a result, she began reading when she was three years old.”
2. Pronoun Disagreement
Some of the most common grammar mistakes are pronoun errors. They occur
when pronouns do not agree in number with the nouns to which they refer. If
the noun is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the noun is plural, the
pronoun must be plural as well.
For example:
•Incorrect: “Every girl must bring their own lunch.”
•Correct: “Every girl must bring her own lunch.”
Pronoun errors are common in modern English, as writers try to avoid
awkward phrasing or the implication of sexist language. Although this is an
admirable goal, it is still important to learn the correct grammar and use it in
more formal situations.
3. Mistakes in Apostrophe Usage
Apostrophes are used to show possession. However, you do not use an apostrophe after a 
possessive pronoun such as my, mine, our, ours, his, hers, its, their, or theirs.
For example:
•Incorrect: “My mothers cabin is next to his' cabin.”
•Correct: “My mother's cabin is next to his cabin.”
In the case of it's, the apostrophe is used only to indicate a contraction for “it is.”
For example:
•Incorrect: “Its a cold day for October.”
•Correct: “It's a cold day for October.”
4. Lack of Subject-Verb Agreement
Confusion over subject-verb agreement can be the source of many grammatical errors. When
speaking or writing in the present tense, a sentence must have subjects and verbs that agree
in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the
verb must be plural as well.
For example:
•Incorrect: “These recipes is good for beginning chefs.”
•Correct: “These recipes are good for beginning chefs.”
5. Misplaced Modifiers
To clearly communicate your ideas, you should place a modifier directly next to
the word it is supposed to modify. The modifier should clearly refer to a specific
word in the sentence. Misplaced modifiers can create confusion and ambiguity.
For example:
•Incorrect: “At eight years old, my father gave me a pony for Christmas.”
•Correct: “When I was eight years old, my father gave me a pony for Christmas.”
6. Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments are also common grammar mistakes. A sentence needs to
have a subject and a verb. A fragment often happens after another related idea
has been expressed.
For example:
•Incorrect: “Sharon stayed home from school the other day. Because she was
sick.”
•Correct: “Sharon stayed home from school the other day because she was
sick.”
7. Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence
A compound sentence expresses two complete and related ideas, and it usually
includes a conjunction to connect these two parts. There should be a comma before the
conjunction to indicate the two ideas are related. If that’s missing, it’s a mistake readers
will notice.
For example:
•Incorrect: “Jim went to the store and Ella went with him.”
•Correct: “Jim went to the store, and Ella went with him.”
8. No Clear Antecedent
An antecedent is a word that comes before a pronoun and helps the reader understand
what the pronoun means. Generally, you can clear up this confusion by rearranging the
wording.
For example:
•Incorrect: “The dad found the boy, and he was happy.”
•Correct: “The dad was happy when he found the boy.”
9. Ending a Sentence in a Preposition
Another common grammar mistake is ending a sentence with a preposition. A preposition,
by its nature, indicates that another word will follow it. In casual conversation, this type of
error is no big deal, but you should avoid this mistake in your writing.
For example:
•Incorrect: “What reason did he come here for?”
•Correct: “For what reason did he come here?”
10. Mixing Up Spellings
There are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. If you mix
these up, it can be an embarrassing mistake. These are a few of the most commonly
confused words:
•“You’re” vs. “your”
•“To” vs. “two” vs. “too”
•“Weather” vs. “whether”
•“There” vs. “their”
For example:
•Incorrect: “There father went to school there.”
•Correct: “Their father went to school there.”
11. Mixing Up Similar Words
Sometimes, it’s not a matter of mixing up the spelling as much as an error in
word choice. There are many words that sound similar but have different
meanings and spellings. These include the following:
•“Affect” and “effect”
•“Except” and “accept”
•“Comprise” vs. “compose”
•“Further” vs. “farther”
For example:
•Incorrect: “The rain had a good affect on the farmer’s field.”
•Correct: “The rain had a good effect on the farmer’s field.”
12. Unnecessary Commas
While commas are important for clarity and give the reader a
chance to pause in the sentence, it’s possible to use commas when
you don’t need them. These unnecessary commas can be confusing
to read, and they make writing look less professional. Before you
use a comma, think about why you’re using it. If you aren’t sure it’s
needed, double-check by reviewing comma rules.
For example:
•Incorrect: “She had a stomach ache, because she ate too much ice
cream.”
•Correct: “She had a stomach ache because she ate too much ice
cream.”
13. Mixing Up Possessives and Plurals
People often get confused when adding an “s” to the end of a word. When do you need an apostrophe? In
general, you use an apostrophe before an “s” to show possession or as a contraction, like “that’s” for “that
is.” If you’re just trying to say something is plural, you don’t need the apostrophe. Like most rules in the
English language, this has some variation. However, if you keep the general guidelines in mind, you’ll be
correct most of the time.
For example:
•Incorrect: “The dogs dish was full of bone’s.”
•Correct: “The dog’s dish was full of bones.”
14. Mistakes With Well and Good
One of the most common grammatical errors is mixing up “well” and “good.” In general, “well” is an adverb,
while “good” is an adjective. When you aren’t sure which one to use, simply ask yourself whether an
adjective or an adverb is appropriate for the situation.
For example:
•Incorrect: “I am doing good in math.”
•Correct: “I am doing well in math.”
15. Comparisons That Are Incomplete
When you use a word that has a comparative aspect, you need to compare it to something else. These
common grammatical errors may appear in advertisements or market slogans, but it does not work well in
papers or other writing. If the word requires a comparison, you should always provide it.
For example:
•Incorrect: “My hair is smoother and softer.”
•Correct: “My hair is smoother and softer than it was a month ago.”
16. Mixing Up Adverbs and Adjectives
If you mix up adverbs and adjectives, this can be an embarrassing
grammar mistake. This is the kind of error that can annoy a teacher
 or make the difference between a great grade on an essay and
getting marked down. This happens most often with words that end
in “-ly.”
For example:
•Incorrect: “Susan gave me a real nice bouquet of flowers.”
•Correct: “Susan gave me a really nice bouquet of flowers.”
17. Confusion Between Fewer and Less
Many people mix up “fewer” and “less.” If you’re talking about the amount of
something, you need to decide whether the item is all one thing or a group of many
things. If it’s a group of many smaller things, you should use “fewer.” If it’s one thing,
you should use “less.”
For example:
•Incorrect: “The store was almost out of dog food. There were less cans on the shelves
than there were yesterday.”
•Correct: “The store was almost out of dog food. There were fewer cans on the shelves
than there were yesterday.”
18. Title Capitalization Problems
Knowing when to capitalize the words in a title can be very confusing. In general, you
should capitalize the first and last words, all nouns and pronouns, all verbs, and all
adjectives and adverbs. However, there are specific title capitalization rules depending
on the style you are using.
For example:
•Incorrect: “Around the world in 80 days”
•Correct: “Around the World in 80 Days”
5. SUBJECT VERB
AGREEMENT
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.Example: They write every
day.Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.
3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or
pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.Example: The doctoral
student and the committee members write every day.Example: The
percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees
who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the level of job satisfaction.
4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the
sentence must agree with the subject.Example: Interviews are one way to
collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of
participants.Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted
as true and is an important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.
5. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that
the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the
phrase following the subject of the sentence.Example: The student, as
well as the committee members, is excited.Example: The student with all
the master’s degrees is very motivated.Example: Strategies that the
teacher uses to encourage classroom participation include using small
groups and clarifying expectations.Example: The focus of the
interviews was nine purposively selected participants.
6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or
"nor," use a singular verb.Example: The chairperson or the
CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.
7. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or
pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the
subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of
proximity.Example: The student or the committee members write every
day.
Example: The committee members or the student writes every day.
8. The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone,"
"everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody," "someone," and "no
one" are singular and require a singular verb. Example: Each of the
participants was willing to be recorded. Example: Neither alternative
hypothesis was accepted.Example: I will offer a $5 gift card
to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.
9. Noncount nouns take a singular verb.Example: Education is the key to
success.
Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant
to include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.

10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds,

surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and
take a plural verb.Example: The earnings for this
quarter exceed expectations.
Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population
in the city.Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter
supply chains.
11. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the
verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the
verb.Example: There is little administrative support.
Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.
12.Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered
singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are "group," "team,"
"committee," "family," and "class."Example: The group meets every week.
Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.However, the plural
verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less
common.Example: The committee participate in various volunteer activities in
their private lives.
 6. ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION

Refer word doc

 7. PAIRS OF CONFUSED WORDS

Advice and Advise

The noun advice means guidance. The verb advise means to recommend or counsel.

All Together and Altogether

The phrase all together refers to people or things gathered in one place. The adverb altogether means entirely or wholly.

Baited and Bated

A hook, witness, or animal is baited (lured, enticed, tempted). Breath is bated (moderated).

Cite and Site

The verb cite means to mention or quote as an authority or example. The noun site means a particular place.

Complement and Compliment; Complementary and ComplimentaryComplement means something that completes or brings to perfection.
A compliment is an expression of praise.

Discreet and Discrete

The adjective discreet means tactful or prudent self-restraint. Discrete means distinct or separate.

Eminent and Imminent

The adjective eminent means prominent or outstanding. Imminent means impending, about to occur.

Flair and Flare

The noun flair means a talent or a distinctive quality or style. As a noun, flare means a fire or a blazing light. Similarly, the verb flare means to burn with an
unsteady flame or shine with a sudden light. Violence, troubles, tempers, and nostrils can flare.

Formally and Formerly

The adverb formally means in a formal way. The adverb formerly means at an earlier time.

Hardy and Hearty

The adjective hardy (related to hard) means daring, courageous, and capable of surviving difficult conditions. The adjective hearty (related to heart) means showing
warm and heartfelt affection or providing abundant nourishment.
 Ingenious and Ingenuous
The adjective ingenious means extremely clever--marked by inventive skill and imagination. Ingenuous means straightforward, candid, without guile.

Lightening and Lightning

The noun lightening means making lighter in weight or changing to a lighter or brighter color. Lightning is the flash of light that accompanies thunder.

Mantel and Mantle

The noun mantel refers to a shelf above a fireplace. The noun mantle refers to a cloak or (usually figuratively) to royal robes of state as a symbol of authority or
responsibility.

Moot and Mute

The adjective moot refers to something that is debatable or of no practical importance. The adjective mute means unspoken or unable to speak.

Prescribe and Proscribe

The verb prescribe means to establish, direct, or lay down as a rule. The verb proscribe means to ban, forbid, or condemn.

Rational and Rationale

The adjective rational means having or exercising the ability to reason. The noun rationale refers to an explanation or basic reason.

Shear and Sheer

The verb shear means to cut or clip. Likewise, the noun shear refers to the act, process, or fact of cutting or clipping. The adjective sheer means fine, transparent,
or complete. As an adverb, sheer means completely or altogether.

Stationary and Stationery

The adjective stationary means remaining in one place. The noun stationery refers to writing materials. (Try associating the er in stationery with
the er in letter and paper.)

Track and Tract

As a noun, track refers to a path, route, or course. The verb track means to travel, pursue, or follow. The noun tract refers to an expanse of land or water, a system
of organs and tissues in the body, or a pamphlet containing a declaration or appeal.

Whose and Who'sWhose is the possessive form of who. Who's is the contraction of who is.

 
8. ARTICLES
A , E , I , O, U = an, the
Consonants= a, the
Nouns beginning with pure vowel sounds= an, the
I have two brothers. One, Greg, is still in  college, and ___ other,
Mike, has already graduated. Mike is ___ kind of guy that is very
serious. I don't remember ___ last time I saw him. It may have been
in  August. He was wearing ___  red sweater. It matched his  red hair.
After  dinner, I usually wash ___ dishes. My wife hates doing it. I
waste a lot of  water when I do it. That's bad for ___  environment, I
think.
We live near ___  sea. ___ houses in this area are expensive.
9. PRESPOSITIONS
1.Most people agree that kindergarten contributes ---- the child's
mental development.

2. Since Jennifer was a year younger than her friends, she had a
hard time keeping ---- with them.

3. In most countries, children start the primary school ---- the age
of six.

4. Although he studied hard, he couldn't succeed ---- getting a high

score in his test.

5. There are different sets of language learning sets available ----

all age groups.
6. All candidates are looking forward ---- the announcement of our
test scores.

7. Since I will be busy ---- my homework and prepare ---- the exam
tomorrow, I don't think I will be able to go out tonight.

8. The students walk five kilometers to school, so they need to get

up very early ---- the morning.

9. Since our school was next to our house, I used to come home ----
lunch time.

10. I was born ---- the 23rd ---- April, so there is no school when it's
my birthday.