Phrasal verbs, combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that form unique meanings, are vital in competitive English exams like NDA and CDS. Their usage is deeply embedded in everyday English, making it crucial for candidates to grasp not only their meanings but also their contextual applications. For the NDA and CDS 1 2025 exams, phrasal verbs are significant because they test candidates’ command over language and their ability to understand nuanced meanings in complex contexts.
Why Mastering Phrasal Verbs is Essential
Phrasal verbs bring depth to language comprehension by combining a base verb with a particle (a preposition or adverb) to create meanings that differ from the standalone verb. For example, the verb “take” combined with “up” (take up) means to start something, while “take off” means to depart. Understanding these combinations is critical, especially when they appear in questions that assess vocabulary, sentence completion, and even spotting grammatical errors. Here’s why mastering phrasal verbs is essential for NDA and CDS aspirants:
- Contextual Comprehension: Phrasal verbs often change meanings based on context, so understanding them helps candidates accurately interpret sentences.
- Broad Vocabulary: Phrasal verbs expand vocabulary by transforming common verbs into phrases with unique meanings.
- Grammar and Syntax Precision: Recognizing how phrasal verbs fit into sentence structures aids candidates in identifying correct and incorrect usages, especially in error-detection questions.
Common Uses of Phrasal Verbs in NDA & CDS Exams
Phrasal verbs commonly appear in the following types of questions:
- Sentence Completion: Candidates must select the appropriate phrasal verb to complete sentences meaningfully.
- Error Spotting: Recognizing incorrect or misused phrasal verbs is crucial in error detection.
- Comprehension: Understanding nuanced meanings in comprehension passages can often hinge on familiarity with phrasal verbs.
Practical Application through MCQs
In Use of Phrasal Verbs Class 2, we conducted an MCQ session that allowed candidates to apply their understanding of phrasal verbs in various sentence contexts. This session was designed to reinforce:
- Identification and Selection: Recognizing phrasal verbs and choosing the correct option based on sentence meaning and tone.
- Contextual Interpretation: Understanding how subtle changes in a phrasal verb’s structure impact the sentence’s meaning.
- Real-time Practice: Tackling diverse question types that simulate actual exam questions and allow candidates to practice spotting errors and completing sentences using phrasal verbs.
Directions: In the following items, a sentence is given with a blank space that is required to be filled with a phrasal verb. Select the most appropriate response from the options provided and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Q) I was ____________ the post office when it suddenly started to rain.
(a) Running down
(b) Taking up
(c) Get through
(d) Making for
Ans. (d)
Q) I must get a new pair of boots. I’ve _________ my old ones.
(a) worn off
(b) worn down
(c) worn out
(d) worn away
Ans. (c)
Q) The other day, I _________ an advertisement for a job you might be interested in.
(a) came through
(b) came over
(c) came across
(d) came around
Ans. (c)
Q) Although she was only sixteen she looked a lot older. In fact, she could easily ________ twenty-one.
(a) pass away
(b) pass in
(c) pass for
(d) pass off
Ans. (c)
Q) We ______ from the hotel early the following morning.
(a) called off
(b) passed out
(c) turned off
(d) set off
Ans. (d)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS 1 2025 Exam English Live – Use of Phrasal Verbs – Class 2
Tips for Mastering Phrasal Verbs
To strengthen phrasal verb skills for the NDA and CDS exams, candidates should:
- Create Phrasal Verb Lists: Familiarize themselves with commonly used phrasal verbs and their meanings.
- Practice in Context: Regularly apply phrasal verbs in sentences to understand their impact on overall sentence meaning.
- Solve Previous Exam Papers: Practicing questions from past NDA and CDS papers will provide insight into typical phrasal verb usage in the exams.
Conclusion
For candidates appearing in NDA and CDS 1 2025, a solid grasp of phrasal verbs is indispensable. These verbs not only test language proficiency but also demonstrate a candidate’s ability to understand English nuances, which is essential in military and defense services. Regular practice, such as that conducted in Use of Phrasal Verbs Class 2, ensures that candidates can confidently approach and solve questions on this important topic, ultimately enhancing their performance in the English section of the exam.