Build Your Vocabulary - Practice sheet for A

Please read the guidelines before you start working with the Practice Sheets

Vocabulary - Words starting with A

It took him weeks of assiduous labor before he was satisfied with his portrait of his son. He was avid for learning and read everything he could get. I must avow that I am innocent. This should alleviate the pain. Many social workers have tried to ameliorate the conditions of people living in the slums. Rather than leaving immediately, they waited for the storm to abate. They decided to wage a war of attrition rather than to rely on an all-out attack. The wealthy young man could not understand the ascetic lives led by the monks. Your messages of cheer should assuage her suffering. The land was no longer arable. Erosion had removed the valuable topsoil. The enemy in its revenge tried to annihilate the entire population. Do not pass aspersions on her character. Her ardor was contagious. Soon all her followers were busily making posters and handing out flyers, inspired by her ardent enthusiasm for the cause. It is difficult to appraise old paintings; it is easier to call them priceless. Members of the Parliament took the oath of allegiance to the Queen. Try not to allude to this matter in his presence because the topic annoys him. Throughout the altercation not one sensible word was uttered. Torn between loving her parents one minute and hating them the next, she was confused by the ambivalence of her feelings. The deal was held in abeyance until her arrival.  

Practice sheet for words starting with A

It took him weeks of ____________ labor before he was satisfied with his portrait of his son. He was ____________ for learning and read everything he could get. I must ____________ that I am innocent. This should ____________ the pain. Many social workers have tried to ____________ the conditions of people living in the slums. Rather than leaving immediately, they waited for the storm to ____________. They decided to wage a war of attrition rather than to rely on an all-out attack. The wealthy young man could not understand the ____________ lives led by the monks. Your messages of cheer should ____________ her suffering. The land was no longer ____________. Erosion had removed the valuable topsoil. The enemy in its revenge tried to ____________the entire population. Do not pass ____________ on her character. Her ____________ was contagious. Soon all her followers were busily making posters and handing out flyers, inspired by her ____________ enthusiasm for the cause. It is difficult to ____________ old paintings; it is easier to call them priceless. Members of the Parliament took the oath of ____________ to the Queen. Try not to ____________ to this matter in his presence because the topic annoys him. Throughout the ____________ not one sensible word was uttered. Torn between loving her parents one minute and hating them the next, she was confused by the ____________ of her feelings. The deal was held in ____________ until her arrival.  

Build Your Vocabulary - Practice sheet for B

Vocabulary - Words starting with B

When the warden learned that several inmates were planning to escape, he took steps to balk their attempt. The chief of police balked at sending his officers into the riot-torn area. A balmy breeze refreshed us after the sulky blast. Basking on the beach, she relaxed so completely that she fell asleep. One good turn may deserve another; it does not necessarily beget another. I begrudge every minute I have to spend attending meetings. He beguiled himself during the long hours by playing solitaire. They were beguiled into forming an unwise alliance. Our journey was beguiled with pleasant talk. We beguiled the children with fairy tales. His coarse, hard-bitten exterior belied his innate sensitivity. His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. The old man was well liked because of his benign attitude toward friend and stranger alike. He feared she would berate him for his forgetfulness. The recent rains that filled our empty reservoirs were a boon to the whole community.

Sultry- Burning hot; extremely and unpleasantly hot; Characterized by

          oppressive heat and humidity

Blast- A strong current of air

Alliance - An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or  

              Treaty

Practice sheet for words starting with B

When the warden learned that several inmates were planning to escape, he took steps to ____________ their attempt. The chief of police ____________ at sending his officers into the riot-torn area. A  ____________ breeze refreshed us after the sulky blast. ____________  on the beach, she relaxed so completely that she fell asleep. One good turn may deserve another; it does not necessarily  ____________  another. I  ____________  every minute I have to spend attending meetings. He  ____________  himself during the long hours by playing solitaire. They were  ____________ into forming an unwise alliance. Our journey was  ____________ with pleasant talk. We  ____________ the children with fairy tales. His coarse, hard-bitten exterior  ____________ his innate sensitivity. His  ____________ nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. The old man was well liked because of his  ____________ attitude toward friends and strangers alike. He feared she would  ____________ him for his forgetfulness. The recent rains that filled our empty reservoirs were a  ____________ to the whole community.

Building Your Vocabulary

My first advice regarding your vocabulary: mere memorizing will not help. You will actually have to KNOW and UNDERSTAND the words. You have to know its proper usage. The best way to do this is by looking-up as many sentences as you can containing that word. A book I found very useful was "30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary" by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis . I got my copy from ETC that used to be at Dhanmondi, but you should also be able to find it at Nilkhet and New Market. You may also find this website helpful: http://insidestoryflashcards.com. Additionally I used to make flash cards. This was very helpful as far as memorizing was concerned. But to actually have a good command over the words, I used to make practice sheets for each alphabet. I have attached some practice sheets I made for each letter. Below is a guideline on how to use the practice sheets:

1. Make a printout of the sheet.
2. Find the meanings of the words in the sheets (I suggest programs like Encarta dictionary to save time)
3. Once you feel you can remember the meanings of the words you listed (using flashcards or whatever you find convenient), try filling in the blanks in the practice sheets. Do this again a week later to ensure that you do in fact have a good grasp of the word.

Also note that just like reading lots of books improves you command over a language, studying the sentences in the sheets will also do the same. Additionally, good vocabulary will help you with the written section. But again, don't over-do it. Your writing should seem natural and lucid to the reader. You will find practice sheets for words beginning with the respective letters in the links below:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  

Dear Applicants, I have uploaded till D and it is kind of time consuming. Do let me know if it is actually helping, then I will upload the rest. In the meantime I will move on to the next topic

Suggested Essay Topics

Below is a list of suggested essay topics that you could write on to prepare for the Written Section. Although there is a time limit, you should allow yourself to brainstorm and take your time at the beginning. You will get better with practice. I have highlighted the topics I felt are important. Note that, although there is very little chance of getting a topic such as "The rainy season", it would help you considerably in your practice if you think out of the box and come up with something out of the ordinary in your writing for such topics.  You could also look online for some data related to the rainy season, which could perhaps help you with some other writing.  A good grasp on general knowledge could come in handy. Also while you prepare, put higher priority on current issues. It is also very unlikely that you will be asked to write on your feelings about the first test match victory of Bangladesh (unless the examiner comes across this blog and decides to prove me wrong, very unlikely I know ;)). I also suggest you stick to British English. Although I have written 'favor' below, which is the American spelling of 'favour', remember that most of the faculty members at IBA are somewhat traditional.

Bangladesh

1. Pahela Baishakh
2. The seasons of Bangladesh
3. The rainy season
4. A Spring Morning
5. Rivers of Bangladesh
6. The streets of Dhaka
7. The season I like most
8. The importance of the 21st
9. Independence day 
10. Natural resources of Bangladesh 
11. Independence day 
12. My feelings about the first test match victory of Bangladesh
13. Digital Bangladesh

Bangladesh (Social Issues)

1. Traffic congestion in Dhaka city
2. Floods in Bangladesh
3. Environmental Pollution in Bangladesh
4. Electricity crisis
5. The population problem of Bangladesh
6. Unemployment Problem
7. Female Education in Bangladesh
8. Free market economy in Bangladesh, do you favor it?
9. Student Politics
10. Globalization is beneficial for Bangladesh- write your arguments for or against the argument
11. Importance of Quality Education in Bangladesh
12. Development of IT in Bangladesh
13. Rural Development in Bangladesh

Science

I feel all the topics below are very important for you to practice, and I am not saying this because I am a student of science.

1. Nuclear Technology
2. The Internet
3. The gifts of science
4. The dangers of science
5. Greenhouse Effect/The ozone layer
6. A paper-less office
7. Some people think that development of IT will enhance human ingenuity. Others believe that development of IT will inhibit human ingenuity. Discuss both the points of view. Which view do you support? Give reasons for your choice.

Social/Environmental/Political Issues

1. Explain your views on the following:In some countries, television and radio programs are carefully censored for offensive language and behavior. In other countries there is little or no censorship. In your view, to what extent should the censor board or any other body be able to censor television or radio programs? Explain, giving relevant reasons and/or examples to support your position.
2. Drug Addiction
3. Mass Media
4. American People elected BUSH (replace with Obama) as their President. Do you think that Americans have chosen the right person?
5. Tsunami
6. When disaster strikes
7. Environmental Pollution
8. Ecological Imbalance

MBA related

1. Advertising 
2. Marketting 
3. Describe an Event where you have proved your managerial skills
4. Why I wish to pursue an MBA degree
5. Business Education
6. Aim in Life

Myself

1. A memorable day in your life
2. A thrilling experience of your life
3. My first day at college
4. My favourite Hobby
5. The night before an Examination
6. Memories of childhood
7. My favorite Author
8. An Ideal Leader
9. If I were a millionaire
10. My favourite TV show
11. My favourite Movie
12. Describe yourself in at least 100 words (this will come in handy when you face the viva board)

Other

1. Honesty
2. The value of discipline in life
3. Patriotism
4. The value of time
5. Dignity of labour
6. Physical Exercise
7. Newspaper Reading
8. Punctuality
9. Perseverence
10. Modesty
11. Hobbies
12. The usefulness of Games and Sports
13. Reading Habit
14. A Good Person
15. New Year
16. Patience
17. Mercy
18. Devotion

If you are short of time, at least google and have a quick look at the topics listed above. You will find ample essays and writings online. Or if you write to me and I happen to have free time, I just might write one or two essays of your choice for you :)

Let's start at the very beginning

How about I start from the very beginning. Let me tell you first that you should definitely, and definitely work in a professional environment for a couple of years and gain some experience before you join the program. In that way, you will be able to relate your learning to your real life experiences and things will make more sense. I had three years work experience before I joined the MBA program, but I now wish it was longer. Having said that, let me now begin with how you can prepare for the admission test.

You can always choose to collect the learning materials and study at home (a lot of my batch mates have actually done that), but I would suggest you to go for coaching because, if for nothing else, it will regulate you. You have a number of options here like Mentor's, Saifur's, and some of the others out there. I had gone for Mentor's, but let me tell you not to be taken by shock if you find one of your instructors from Mentor's studying with you in the very same batch if you make it. Bottom line: Don't expect too much from these institutions, especially when it comes to language, and eventually, it is up to you. For Math and Analytical sections they do provide you with useful tips and tricks. I believe a 2-month dedicated preparation is more than adequate, but if you want to prepare for a longer time that's great. There's no guarantee that you will not come down with dengue fever two months before the exam (that happened to me when I was submitting my Internship report). Additionally, for math and the analytical sections, the more you practice, the faster you will be able to complete these sections. How fast you can solve these problems is very important here. If you ever prepared for GMAT or GRE you'll know what I mean. For instance, the mathematical problems you'll be asked to solve will be relatively easy but you will have to solve each of these problems in less than a minute. Also, don't forget about negative marking, although they tend to change their policies regarding that from time to time. So make sure to update yourself on that as well. The following short passages have been written on request right before my exam by my very good friend Abdullah Al Aabed, now a lecturer at IUB, and one of the talented people I know.

Pohela Boishak

The Bengali New Year starts on the 14^th of April on the English calendar. On this day, Bengalis everywhere welcome the arrival of the New Year with a lot of hype and festivity. Bengalis living in Bangladesh are best able to observe the day in a befitting manner, as it is a public holiday. The day’s celebrations start early in the morning with groups of people getting together to enjoy poetry recitations and renditions of folk songs that mark the cultural heritage of the Bengalis. Dressed in traditional garb, it is customary for most people to follow this up with a traditional breakfast and subsequently roam the stalls of fairs that are held on this occasion throughout the day. Times have changed and Bengalis have evolved as a society, however, they have not forgotten to remind themselves of their heritage at the beginning of each year.

Traffic Congestion of Dhaka City

In recent times, the population explosion has been felt most strongly by urban areas of developing countries. Dhaka, the capital of the country, has been no exception. Lack of foresight and planning by the city fathers has led to narrow roads and lanes in a moderately new city like Dhaka. Upon their arrival in Dhaka, the only choice for the rural poor to earn a living has been to pull rickshaws through the already over-crowded by lanes of the city. On the main roads, increasing demand for public transport for the growing working class has caused a massive rise in the number of buses plying through the streets. Overall, the geometrically increasing number of vehicles running through the city’s roads is a challenge that the civil administration needs to address effectively. To that end, they have tried by introducing automated traffic lights and constructing flyovers to ease the congestion. So far, these measures have proved to be moderately effective. The search to reduce traffic congestion in the city continues.

Describe yourself in 100 words

Any attempt to use appropriate adjectives to depict oneself may be likened to constructing a balance sheet without liabilities. I consider my ability to get along with others as a major asset. Since I am personable, it helps me to accomplish the tasks on hand with a fair amount of ease. Growing up in a family of supportive and caring individuals, I recognize the importance of considering everyone’s opinion when taking major decisions. However, at the same time, having spent considerable time on my own during recent times, I value my independence and am able to take charge of situations should it be required. It would be fair to say that I consider myself, a versatile person who can adopt according to given circumstances.

Study the following words and establish the link: find out the theme, give a title and write a paragraph on the theme. you have to use all of the, following words in the paragraph, reason, leaves and flowers, diversity, songs, crops, season, enjoyment, weather, river, villages

Visit Bangladesh

I could list more than one reason why tourists should consider Bangladesh as a destination. While visiting Bangladesh they would be able to appreciate the distinctly different leaves and flowers that adorn the beautiful countryside. The diversity of wildlife in the Sunderbans is likely to amaze all who visit. A trip to any of the villages near a river of which Bangladesh has plenty of will also enhance the tourist’s experience and knowledge about the rural way of life. They will be able to see the crops being cultivated by farmers and also learn about different crops that are grown during each season. The folk songs of Bangladesh as sung by the indigenous tribes also should not be missed and would add to their enjoyment during their stay here. The pleasant mild weather of the country during the winter is the one tourists would enjoy the most. 

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My desktop monitor is not working, and my Eee PC doesn't come with a DVD drive, so I couldn't upload more materials. I will be back with more as soon as I get this fixed. In the meantime, please feel free to leave your comments below.