Language Proficiency
"ACET English? The vocabulary is insane! You really need to read a lot. Ateneo values excellent English communication skills, so this section is heavily weighted!"
1. Advanced Vocabulary & Analogies 📖
ACET English is famous for its difficult vocabulary. Expect words from classical literature, academic journals, and GRE-level content. Hindi enough ang basic English words!
Warning: ACET Vocabulary Level
Don't expect simple words! ACET tests words like: ephemeral, ubiquitous, sycophant, magnanimous, obfuscate
Must-Know Vocabulary Categories
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Ephemeral | Short-lived, temporary | Fame can be ephemeral |
| Ubiquitous | Present everywhere | Smartphones are ubiquitous |
| Pragmatic | Practical, realistic | A pragmatic approach |
| Ambivalent | Having mixed feelings | Ambivalent about the decision |
| Perfunctory | Done without care | A perfunctory greeting |
| Vicarious | Experienced through another | Vicarious pleasure |
| Sycophant | A flatterer, yes-man | The boss's sycophants |
| Magnanimous | Generous, forgiving | Magnanimous in victory |
Analogy Types
Common Relationships
- Synonyms (happy : joyful)
- Antonyms (hot : cold)
- Part to Whole (page : book)
- Cause to Effect (rain : flood)
- Tool to Function (pen : write)
- Degree (warm : hot)
Solving Strategy
- Create a sentence relating the pair
- Test your sentence with answer choices
- Match the RELATIONSHIP, not the topic
- Watch for word order (A:B vs B:A)
Example: Analogy Problem
DOCTOR : PATIENT :: LAWYER : ?
A) Court B) Client C) Law D) Judge
Solution: Doctor serves/helps Patient. Lawyer serves/helps... B) Client
2. Grammar & Usage Mastery ✍️
ACET grammar is strict and tests nuanced rules. Know these concepts thoroughly!
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
| Rule | Correct Example | Wrong Example |
|---|---|---|
| Either/Neither...or/nor | Neither the boys nor the girl WAS present | ...were present |
| Collective nouns (as unit) | The committee HAS decided | ...have decided |
| Prepositional phrase distraction | The box of chocolates IS heavy | ...are heavy |
| Each/Every + singular | Each student HAS a book | ...have a book |
| News/Mathematics = singular | The news IS shocking | ...are shocking |
Pronoun Reference Rules
- Clear Antecedent: Every pronoun must clearly refer to ONE noun
- Number Agreement: Singular antecedent = singular pronoun (everyone...his/her)
- Case: Subject (I, he, she) vs Object (me, him, her) vs Possessive (my, his, her)
- Who vs Whom: Who = subject (who did it?), Whom = object (to whom?)
Modifier Placement
Dangling & Misplaced Modifiers
Wrong: Running down the street, the bus was missed. (Who was running?)
Right: Running down the street, I missed the bus.
Rule: Modifying phrase must be directly next to what it modifies
Parallelism
- Lists: He likes swimming, hiking, and cycling (not: to cycle)
- Comparisons: She is as smart as he is (not: as smart as him)
- Correlatives: Both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also
3. Reading Comprehension Strategies 📚
ACET passages are dense and academic. Master these techniques for efficiency.
Passage Types You'll Encounter
- Argumentative: Author presents a viewpoint and defends it
- Expository: Explains a concept or phenomenon
- Narrative: Tells a story or describes events
- Comparative: Analyzes similarities and differences
Active Reading Strategy
- First Pass (30 sec): Read intro and conclusion to get main idea
- Identify Structure: Note topic sentences of each paragraph
- Mark Key Points: Mental note of important details, names, dates
- Don't Memorize: Know WHERE information is, not all details
Question Types & Approach
| Question Type | How to Approach |
|---|---|
| Main Idea | Focus on first/last paragraphs; avoid details |
| Detail Questions | Locate specific info using keywords |
| Inference | What's implied but not stated directly |
| Author's Tone | Word choices reveal attitude (critical, neutral, supportive) |
| Vocabulary in Context | Substitute choices into sentence; what fits best? |
4. Sentence Completion Mastery 🧩
These test both vocabulary and logical reasoning. Signal words are your best friends!
Continuation Signals
Word continues the same idea:
and, also, moreover, furthermore, similarly, likewise, in addition
Contrast Signals
Word reverses the idea:
but, however, although, despite, nevertheless, yet, whereas
Solving Strategy
- Predict Before Looking: Cover choices; what word SHOULD fit?
- Use Signal Words: These tell you if blank continues or contrasts
- Check Connotation: Positive, negative, or neutral word needed?
- Two Blanks: Ensure both words create coherent meaning together
Example: Sentence Completion
Although he was _____, he treated everyone with respect.
A) humble B) wealthy C) tired D) generous
Analysis: "Although" signals contrast. We need something that contrasts with "treating everyone with respect." Being wealthy (B) could make someone arrogant, so treating others well despite wealth is a meaningful contrast. Answer: B) wealthy
5. Common Errors to Avoid ⚠️
Grammar Traps
- Between you and I (wrong - me)
- Less people (wrong - fewer)
- Irregardless (not a word)
- Could of (wrong - could have)
- Affect vs Effect confusion
Vocabulary Traps
- False cognates (eventual ≠ eventwal)
- Similar-sounding words (allusion/illusion)
- Prefix confusion (amoral vs immoral)
- Context changes meaning
6. ACET English Tips 🎯
Build Your Vocabulary NOW
- Read quality materials: The Economist, Atlantic, academic journals
- Learn word roots: Latin and Greek prefixes/suffixes
- Study 10 new words daily with context sentences
- Use flashcards or vocabulary apps (Magoosh, Quizlet)
- Review GRE/SAT vocabulary lists - ACET uses similar difficulty
Word Roots to Know
7. Practice Questions 📋
Q1: TEACHER : STUDENT :: MENTOR : ?
Teacher guides student. Mentor guides... Protege
Q2: The politician's _____ speech failed to address the real issues.
Answer: perfunctory (done without care or real interest)
Q3: Neither the teacher nor the students _____ aware of the change.
Answer: were (verb agrees with nearest subject "students")
Test Your Knowledge! 🧠
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