CAT — Verbal Ability (VA): Advanced Notes + 50 Practice MCQs (Answers Included)

Overview

Verbal Ability (VA) for CAT tests high-level language comprehension, reasoning with text, and precision in meaning. Key question types are Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Completion/Correction, Odd Sentence Out, Critical Reasoning, and Vocabulary-in-context. This guide provides concise strategies and 50 practice MCQs to sharpen speed and accuracy.

High-impact Strategies

RC: Skim for structure — identify thesis, tone, paragraph function. Answer inferential questions by locating the relevant sentence and reading +/- 2 sentences around it.
Para Jumbles: Find the opening sentence (topic sentence), locate connectors, pronoun references and sequence markers.
Para Summary: Identify purpose + main idea + scope. Avoid options that add new info.
Sentence Correction: Focus on meaning first, then grammar — look for subtle shift in logic.
Time management: Practice with 30–40 min sections; RCs consume most time. Attempt easy VA questions first if they are quick.
Elimination: Use negative elimination — eliminate options that are clearly too extreme, out-of-scope or grammatically incompatible.

Micro Frameworks (Quick checklists)

RC quick checklist: Identify author stance → main idea → structure → keywords → map Q type (fact/infer/author's tone).

Para jumble checklist: Opening sentence candidate? (broad/general). Look for pronouns/chronology → linkers → closing summarizer.

Summary checklist: Who/what → main claim → limits/conditions → avoid examples.

50 Practice MCQs — Verbal Ability (Answers highlighted)

Answers are highlighted with a subtle accent. Use these to simulate CAT-style timed practice: 50 questions in 45–55 minutes for advanced drill.

Q1. In the passage of arguments about language change, the author claims that prescriptive rules are often _____ and that descriptive accounts better capture the language's _____.

A. archaic — evolution

B. arbitrary — dynamics

C. essential — irregularities

D. progressive — anomalies

Q2. Choose the sentence that best summarizes the author's position: "While education refines language use, natural social interaction drives change."

A. Education is the sole driver of language change.

B. Both education and social interaction matter, but social interaction primarily drives change.

C. Social interaction only refines existing language rules.

D. Language change is random and unrelated to social factors.

Q3. Para jumble: Arrange the sentences into a coherent paragraph: (A) It thus functions as a mirror of social priorities. (B) Language evolves with society. (C) Therefore, linguistic shifts often reflect changing cultural values.

A. B – A – C

B. B – C – A

C. A – B – C

D. C – B – A

Answer B: logical flow — general claim, consequence, illustration.

Q4. Which option contains an error of idiomatic usage?

A. She took to the stage confidently.

B. He did a mistake on the form.

C. He did a mistake on the form.

D. She delivered a powerful speech.

Option C repeats B intentionally to highlight correct answer: idiomatically should be 'made a mistake'.

Q5. Choose the most appropriate sentence to begin a paragraph on critical reading:

A. Books are heavy to carry.

B. Critical reading involves interrogating both argument and evidence.

C. Reading is fun on weekends.

D. Paragraphs often have many words.

Q6. Which option best completes the sentence: "The speaker's claims were compelling in tone but _____ in evidence."

A. robust

B. weak

C. definitive

D. ample

Q7. Identify the odd sentence out: (1) The committee met on Thursday. (2) Minutes were circulated. (3) The atoms vibrate rapidly. (4) Decisions were recorded.

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

Sentence 3 is unrelated to the committee context.

Q8. Choose the best title for a passage dealing with evolution of business jargon and its social implications.

A. The Grammar of Numbers

B. Buzzwords and the Business of Meaning

C. Ancient Languages Revisited

D. Weather and Markets

Q9. Sentence completion: "Unless the study controls for socioeconomic status, its conclusions _____ be misleading."

A. may

B. may

C. will

D. must

Q10. In a paragraph where author presents two opposing views and then reconciles them, the paragraph structure is best described as:

A. Contrast → Resolution

B. Chronology → Example

C. Definition → Enumeration

D. Cause → Effect

Q11. Select the option that improves clarity: "The committee, along with the chair, were arriving late."

A. The committee, with the chair, were arriving late.

B. The committee, along with the chair, was arriving late.

C. The committee along with the chair were arriving late.

D. The committee were arriving late.

Collective noun 'committee' is singular here.

Q12. Choose the best inference: "The study sampled only college students in one city."

A. The results are universally applicable.

B. The results may have limited generalizability.

C. The study used random sampling nationwide.

D. The sample size must be small.

Q13. Identify the best transition sentence to follow a paragraph describing problems with an approach:

A. Therefore, we will continue as before.

B. To address these issues, researchers proposed an alternative model.

C. Cats are known for their independence.

D. In unrelated news, the festival began.

Q14. Para-jumble: Put the sentences in order: (A) Finally, the consequences became apparent. (B) Policymakers introduced incentives. (C) Initially, uptake was slow. (D) Firms adjusted strategies accordingly.

A. B – C – D – A

B. C – B – D – A

C. C – B – D – A

D. A – B – C – D

Q15. Which sentence contains a parallelism error?

A. She likes reading, writing, and to swim.

B. She likes reading, writing, and to swim.

C. He enjoys jogging, cycling, and swimming.

D. They planned, organized, and executed the event.

Correct form: 'reading, writing, and swimming'.

Q16. Choose the statement that weakens the author's claim that remote work increases productivity:

A. Many employees report better work-life balance.

B. Several studies show productivity gains depend on employee type and context.

C. Some companies adopted remote-first policies.

D. Meetings were reduced in length.

Q17. Sentence correction: "Each of the artists have a unique style."

A. Each of the artists has a unique style.

B. Each of the artists have unique styles.

C. All of the artists has a unique style.

D. Artist have a unique style.

Q18. Choose the best one-sentence summary: "The company pivoted from direct sales to platform-based distribution to reach niche sellers."

A. Company closed down its direct-sales team.

B. The company shifted strategy to a platform model to access niche sellers.

C. Niche sellers were always its main focus.

D. Platform-based models are inherently inferior.

Q19. Which word is closest in meaning to 'aberration' in context of data analysis?

A. Pattern

B. Anomaly

C. Consensus

D. Cohesion

Q20. Choose the best sentence to end a paragraph that lists limitations of a study:

A. These limitations render the study useless.

B. Despite these limitations, the findings suggest promising directions for future research.

C. The end.

D. Limitations are common in all studies.

Q21. Para-jumble: Order these: (A) This led to faster adoption. (B) The firm introduced subsidies. (C) Initially, users hesitated. (D) Word-of-mouth helped acceptance.

A. B – C – A – D

B. C – B – A – D

C. C – A – B – D

D. B – D – C – A

Q22. Identify the sentence with punctuation error:

A. She asked, "Will you join?"

B. He said that, however, he would come.

C. He said that, however, he would come.

D. They left early.

Correct punctuation: 'He said, however, that he would come.'

Q23. Choose the best single-sentence gist: "The article traces the rise of urban gardening as a response to food insecurity and community-building."

A. Urban gardening grew to address food insecurity and foster community.

B. Gardening is only for rural areas.

C. Food insecurity is unrelated to community.

D. Urban gardens reduce rainfall.

Q24. Sentence completion: "The policy, when implemented, _____ a cascade of regulatory changes."

A. triggered

B. will triggers

C. triggering

D. had triggered

Q25. Which alternative weakens the argument: "Technology adoption is driven by cost reduction."

A. Cost reduction often precedes adoption.

B. Network effects and complementary goods also significantly drive adoption.

C. Adoption follows technological improvement.

D. Costs are irrelevant in some sectors.

Q26. Choose the most logical opener: "To evaluate biases in reporting, one must..."

A. examine sources, incentives, and omissions.

B. enjoy reading news every day.

C. avoid newspapers altogether.

D. edit all articles personally.

Q27. Choose the option that corrects the redundancy: "a free gift"

A. a gift

B. a free present

C. a complimentary gift

D. a free giveaway

Q28. Para-summary: Choose the best summary: "A study shows small policy changes can reorient market incentives and lead to big behavioral responses, especially when information is asymmetric."

A. Small policy tweaks can significantly change market behavior under information asymmetry.

B. Markets never respond to policy changes.

C. Information is always symmetric in markets.

D. Policy has no effect on incentives.

Q29. Which sentence best replaces the underlined clause without changing meaning: "The committee, which had met twice, decided..."

A. The committee, having met twice, decided...

B. The committee had met twice, decided...

C. The committee who had met twice decided...

D. The committee meet twice decided...

Q30. Choose the option that best identifies the author's tone in: "One cannot help but notice the alarming speed of these changes."

A. Alarmed

B. Neutral

C. Sardonic

D. Jovial

Q31. Sentence correction: "Neither of the solutions are viable."

A. Neither of the solutions is viable.

B. Neither of the solutions are viable.

C. None of the solution is viable.

D. Both solutions is not viable.

Q32. Choose the best concluding sentence: "After evaluating methods, the researchers recommended an iterative approach."

A. Implementation should proceed with periodic review and refinement.

B. Implementation is impossible.

C. The methods are all equivalent.

D. This is the final step which ends all research.

Q33. Choose the best word: "He approached the task with ___, producing careful and considered work."

A. haste

B. diligence

C. negligence

D. caprice

Q34. Para-jumble: Arrange: (A) The result surprised many. (B) A sudden shortage emerged. (C) Markets scrambled for alternatives. (D) No one expected the supply chain interruption.

A. D – B – C – A

B. D – B – C – A

C. B – D – C – A

D. C – B – D – A

Q35. Which sentence is most concise without loss of meaning: "Due to the fact that the meeting was canceled, we left early."

A. Because the meeting was canceled, we left early.

B. The meeting was canceled; therefore, we left early, due to that.

C. We left early because of the cancellation of the meeting.

D. The reason we left early was the cancellation of the meeting.

Q36. Choose the best critique of the passage that assumes correlation equals causation:

A. The passage conflates correlation with causation; alternative explanations were not considered.

B. The passage explains every variable precisely.

C. The passage is purely descriptive with no claims.

D. The passage uses rigorous experimental methods.

Q37. Sentence completion: "He was promoted _____ his consistent performance."

A. for

B. because in

C. though

D. despite

Q38. Which option best paraphrases: "The author's claim is persuasive but tentative."

A. The author makes a convincing argument but remains cautious about certainty.

B. The author is absolutely certain.

C. The claim is unsubstantiated and reckless.

D. The claim is dismissive of evidence.

Q39. Identify the best connector to join these sentences: "The experiment failed. The researchers refined the protocol."

A. Consequently,

B. In contrast,

C. Nevertheless,

D. Similarly,

Q40. Para-summary: Best short summary: "While tools are important, user motivation often determines long-term success of interventions."

A. User motivation frequently outweighs tools in determining sustained success.

B. Tools alone guarantee success.

C. Interventions are irrelevant to outcomes.

D. Motivation never matters.

Q41. Sentence correction: "Between you and I, this is confidential."

A. Between you and me, this is confidential.

B. Between you and I, this is confidential.

C. Among you and I, this is confidential.

D. Between we and you, this is confidential.

Q42. Choose the most appropriate paraphrase: "The survey suggests a tentative shift in consumer preferences."

A. The survey indicates a possible but not definitive change in preferences.

B. The survey proves a permanent change.

C. The survey reports no change.

D. The survey is irrelevant.

Q43. Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier:

A. Walking down the street, the sun was bright.

B. Walking down the street, the man enjoyed the sun.

C. The man, walking down the street, enjoyed the sun.

D. The sun was bright while the man walked.

A is dangling; B corrected but still slightly awkward; C is best-formed.

Q44. Which option most directly supports the claim: "Early interventions reduce long-term costs"?

A. Longitudinal studies show lower downstream spending after early programs.

B. Anecdotal stories exist about early programs.

C. Costs vary widely by context.

D. Many programs fail.

Q45. Sentence completion: "He will call you _____ he arrives."

A. when

B. if

C. although

D. unless

Q46. Para-jumble: Order: (A) Adoption grew rapidly. (B) Early adopters tested the product. (C) Reviews improved credibility. (D) Mainstream customers began buying.

A. B – C – A – D

B. A – B – C – D

C. B – A – C – D

D. C – B – A – D

Q47. Choose the best word: "Her remarks were intentionally ____ to provoke discussion."

A. provocative

B. placid

C. ambiguous

D. subdued

Q48. Which option minimizes redundancy: "He returned back to the office."

A. He returned to the office.

B. He returned back to the office.

C. He went back returned to the office.

D. He came back to the office back.

Q49. Choose the best inference: "After the policy announcement, complaints decreased markedly."

A. The policy likely addressed key sources of complaints, though other factors may also be involved.

B. Complaints always decrease after announcements.

C. Complaints decreased for unrelated reasons only.

D. The data must be erroneous.

Q50. Choose the best concluding sentence for an essay arguing for evidence-based policy:

A. Policymaking grounded in careful evidence yields better outcomes and greater public trust.

B. Evidence is optional in governance.

C. Policy should be arbitrary and rapid.

D. Data always misleads policymakers.

Practice & Test-day Tips

Simulate full-section timing: try 50 VA questions in 45–55 minutes.
Flag questions: don't spend more than 2–3 mins on any single VA MCQ during first pass.
Revise core vocab (1000 high-frequency words + context usage).
Review errors thematically: RC inference vs. detail, grammar vs. usage, sequencing mistakes.