How to prepare for CDS 2023 English Language?

The English Language section of CDS is one of the most scoring sections in the UPSC CDS 1 2023 exam. The English Language section basically tests a candidate's command of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. The English Language section comprises a total of 120 questions. The total marks allotted to this section are 100. Candidates will be given 2 hours to solve this section. Questions in this section are asked from Sentence Arrangement, Error Correction, Sentence Ordering questions, Cloze Tests, Fill in the Blanks, Word Substitution, Synonyms, and Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Reported Speech, and Active/Passive Voice. Read below on how to prepare for CDS English Language.

How to prepare for CDS English Language?

The first and foremost step towards CDS preparation is knowing the format of topics and their weightage. This will help candidates in setting their priorities.

• Brush up on your English Grammar rules for CDS
• Solve previous years’ question papers to know the pattern of questions asked in the CDS exam
• Make a habit of reading. This will help candidates to build vocabulary and learn new words
• Read the newspaper editorials, books and magazines
• Make notes of new words and look their meaning in the dictionary
• Take short notes of topics you learn daily. This will help in quick revision
• Candidates must attempt mock tests and analyse their performance

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How can I score Good Marks in CDS English?

To score good marks in CDS English section, candidates need to prepare the following topics:

• Spot the Errors
• Cloze tests
• Fill in the blanks
• Sentence Arrangement
• Word substitution
• Vocabulary-based questions
• Idioms/ Phrases and Synonyms/ Antonyms
• Reported Speech
• Active/ Passive Voice

Are questions in the English section of CDS exam easy or tough?

The level of questions asked in the English language section of CDS exam is easy. Questions are usually asked from Reading Comprehension, Sentence Arrangement, Error Correction, Sentence Ordering questions, Cloze Tests.

Topic-wise preparation tips for English Language

The topic-wise CDS preparation tips for English Language section is given below:

Grammar

Pick up a good grammar textbook and brush up all the important rules such as nouns, preposition, articles, tenses, etc. Grammar question in CDS usually comes in the form of fill in the blanks or Spotting the Errors.

Also Read: CDS Books

Vocabulary

Be it Comprehension or fill in the blanks, candidates should have a strong command of Vocabulary. While practising, write down words that are difficult. Learn those words and meanings and try to understand their context of them.

Reading Passages

First, find the central idea of the passage and logical structure. Answer the questions smartly by drawing an inference from the passage. Speed and accuracy are also important in solving Reading Comprehension questions. Practice as many questions as you can on this topic from previous years’ question papers.

Spotting the Errors

Candidates must have a good understanding of the rules of grammar to solve these questions. They need to be well versed with spellings, tenses, preposition, verbs, articles and conjunctions.

Related Links:

• CDS Exam Pattern
• CDS Syllabus

Cloze Test

The best way to solve Cloze Tests questions is to read the entire passage and then find the options. Eliminate the options as required and derive the answer.

Sentence Arrangement: Look for the connecting words. Sentences having some sort of introductory explanation can be zeroed in as the first sentence. Concluding sentences usually use the words, ‘therefore’, ‘hence’, etc.

Best books for CDS English Language

Candidates can buy the following books to brush up on their grammar, comprehension and vocabulary.

• High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
• Objective General English by SP Bakshi
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis