CAT 2014: 6 videos to prepare root words in Verbal Ability

Reading is a good job unless we can understand what we are reading. But it becomes a lethargic job when we need to refer to dictionary again and again to understand what we are reading. Leaving vocab section empty in CAT exam is flagrant.

How easy our lives would be if we don’t need dictionary to find the meanings of words? How would it be if we can find meanings of the words own our own? Then we can call ourselves as a Man-dictionary! But is it really possible?

Yes, it is not as difficult as you think. It is a matter of understanding and a little bit learning to score good in CAT 2014. But learning hundreds of words is not a school/assignment but it’s like a doctoral thesis which takes time. So, here is an answer to your problem for CAT prep.

Root Words/ Etymology

Root are those words which neither have prefix nor suffix with them. Adding a prefix or suffix makes a new word out of them. These are the basic blocks to build a word.

“Etymology is the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. By an extension, the term "the etymology of [a word]" means the origin of the particular word” describes Wikipedia. Basically it’s the study of Root words.

Let’s understand it with an example:

Telephone— tele means far and phon means sound. Now meanings of Telescope, phonics, etc. can be carved out easily.

Or

Inject— in means inside and ject means to throw.  Now meanings of reject, eject, invite, etc. can easily be interpret.

Tele, phon, in and ject are known as root words or the basic words. Roots words can be taken from Latin or Greek to form an English word. Learning words through root words helps an individual to relate it to others words and guess their meanings. It also helps in retaining words for a longer period than grabbing words from dictionary.

Words in the CAT comes from nowhere. No one can predict about the vocab section. Learning words is a lethargic job but it can be your favorite task once you watch these series of videos for vocab section in CAT 2014.

Have a look at these videos.

A. Starting with the roots, let’s start with this fun study video. The video explains the basic roots which we face in our daily lives. You can learn the trick to learn the vocabulary without referring to Dictionary through this video.

B. In continuation with the above video is this video. The video takes you to one step higher and explains a little hard words. The video is fun-filled with funny examples. The examples helps you make an image of the words which remain in your mind for longer period (at least till CAT 2014) and thus, you can attempt the vocab section in CAT confidently.

C. The video explains the etymology of words that can be seen in entrance exams like CAT. The video clears much of our doubts on etymology. This video helps leaning vocabulary through etymology. As explained earlier, etymology is a study of building blocks of a sentence. Watch this ‘psycho’.

By saying psycho, neither I am calling you a psycho nor this video, but this video starts with the root word psycho.

D. Find out the basic blocks of adjectives you give to your friends like egoistic, altruistic, introverted, extroverted, loquacious, etc. so to find their precise meanings. Relate your friends with this video and learn vocabulary in much easier way.

E. You must have heard that a script is prepared before shooting for a play, movie, daily soap or your favorite Reality shows. Do you actually know the meanings of script? You must have also heard words like cide, specs and eu. But have you ever tried to find out their meanings? You use them almost daily in your conversation. Try and think some words having these roots. Tired of thinking? Watch this video:

F. Now after you have learnt so many words, it’s time for you to move to the difficult words which we don’t use in our regular conversation but are important from CAT point of view. It is not necessary that the words you are studying will surely come in the exam. But who knows!

Hope the videos work out for you. And keep the notes which you made safe with you for revision. Keep trying making new words from these roots by your own.

All the Best!

Co-written by Barkha Sethi