Next CSE-PPT: 14 March 2027 · Professional & Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam verbal ability reviewer on vocabulary in context, common English idioms, one-word substitution and commonly confused words used in government and office settings.
The Civil Service Exam tests vocabulary in context: you must choose the meaning a word has in a particular sentence, not only its dictionary meaning. This set practises words often used in government and office writing, common English idioms, one-word substitution, and pairs of words that are often confused, such as complement and compliment.
When a word has several meanings, replace it with each option and check which one keeps the sentence's meaning. For idioms, avoid options that take the words literally; idioms almost never mean exactly what their words say.
Correct answer: C. Not enforce or give up
To waive a penalty, fee or right is to choose not to enforce or claim it. Do not confuse it with "wave", which means to move the hand.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Replace
To supersede is to take the place of something older, usually because it is now outdated. Office memos often say that a new order supersedes previous issuances.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. In two identical copies
"In duplicate" means in two identical copies; "in triplicate" means in three copies. These phrases are common in government forms and requirements.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Checked to confirm they were true or correct
To verify is to check that something is true, accurate or genuine. Verification of documents is a routine clerical task in government offices.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Not yet certain or confirmed
A tentative plan or schedule is provisional and may still change. The opposite is final or definite. In offices you will often see "tentative schedule", meaning dates that are not yet final.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. To work or study late into the night
To burn the midnight oil is to work or study late at night, from the days when people read by oil lamps. Many reviewees do this before the exam, though regular rest helps memory more.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
To hit the nail on the head is to say something exactly right or to identify the real cause of a problem. The literal meaning, about carpentry, is a typical distractor.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. To save time or money by doing something carelessly or incompletely
To cut corners is to do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often ignoring rules or quality. In public service, cutting corners on procedures can lead to administrative cases.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Excessive official rules and procedures that cause delay
Red tape means excessive bureaucratic rules and paperwork. The Philippines addresses it through RA 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. To ignore or treat someone in an unfriendly way
To give someone the cold shoulder is to ignore them or treat them coldly on purpose. It has nothing to do with temperature or illness.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Civil servant
A civil servant is a person employed in the civil service of the government. A civilian is anyone not in the armed forces, and a citizen is a member of a nation.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Agenda
An agenda lists the items to be discussed at a meeting. The minutes are the written record of what was discussed and decided after the meeting.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Illiterate
An illiterate person cannot read or write. Illegible describes handwriting that cannot be read, and inarticulate describes someone who cannot express ideas clearly.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Petition
A petition is a formal request signed by many people. An affidavit is a sworn written statement, a subpoena orders a person to appear in court, and an ordinance is a local law.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. complement
"Complement" means something that completes or goes well with something else. "Compliment" means an expression of praise, as in "She received a compliment from her supervisor."
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. principal
"Principal" refers to the head of a school (or a main sum of money), while "principle" means a basic rule or belief, as in "the principle of public accountability".
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. stationery
"Stationery" means writing materials such as paper and envelopes. "Stationary" means not moving. A memory aid: stationery has an "e" as in envelope.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. precede
"Precede" means to come before. "Proceed" means to continue or go forward, as in "Please proceed to the next window." "Preceed" and "procede" are misspellings.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. With everyone in agreement
Unanimously means with the agreement of everyone involved. It comes from Latin words meaning "one mind". A decision passed by most but not all members is passed by a majority, not unanimously.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Honesty and strong moral principles
Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles. The Constitution requires public officers to serve with responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency (Article XI, Section 1).
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