Wednesday, April 30, 2008

EINSTEIN PUZZLE.....TRY THIS

There are 5 houses in 5 different colors. In each house lives a man with a different nationality. The 5 owners drink a certain type of beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar, and keep a certain pet. No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar or drink the same beverage.

The question is: “Who owns the fish?”
Hints:


  • The Brit lives in the red house.
  • The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
  • The Dane drinks tea.
  • The green house is on the left of the white house.
  • The green house’s owner drinks coffee.
  • The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
  • The owner of the yellow house smokes Dunhill.
  • The man living in the center house drinks milk.
  • The Norwegian lives in the first house.
  • The man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats.
  • The man who keeps the horse lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
  • The owner who smokes Bluemasters drinks beer.
  • The German smokes Prince.
  • The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
  • The man who smokes Blends has a neighbor who drinks water.
(also known as The Zebra Puzzle) Supposedly created by Albert Einstein as a child, who said that 98% of the world could not solve it.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

TOP 6 TERRIFYING FOODS...................

6.Escamoles

From:
Mexico.

What the hell is it?
Escamoles are the eggs of the giant black Liometopum ant, which makes its home in the root systems of maguey and agave plants. Collecting the eggs is a uniquely unpleasant job, since the ants are highly venomous and have some kind of blood grudge against human orifices.

The eggs have the consistency of cottage cheese. The most popular way to eat them is in a taco with guacamole, while being fucking insane.

Wait, it gets worse ...
Escamoles have a surprisingly pleasant taste: buttery and slightly nutty. This hugely increases the chances that, while in Mexico, you could eat them without realizing you are eating a taco full of fucking ant eggs.

Danger of this turning up in America:
We’re not sure Taco Bell hasn’t snuck this shit into their food already. Just make sure you know what’s in that burrito. Ask at the counter if you have to. Also, watch those ads close because they’ll try to dress it up in some kind of friendly-sounding, pseudo-Mexican name.

#5.
Casu Marzu

From:
Sardinia, Italy.

What the hell is it?
This, dear reader, is a medium-sized lump of Sweet Fucking Christ. Casu Marzu is a sheep’s milk cheese that has been deliberately infested by a Piophila casei, the "cheese fly." The result is a maggot-ridden, weeping stink bomb in an advanced state of decomposition.

Its translucent larvae are able to jump about 6 inches into the air, making this the only cheese that requires eye protection while eating. The taste is strong enough to burn the tongue, and the larvae themselves pass through the stomach undigested, sometimes surviving long enough to breed in the intestine, where they attempt to bore through the walls, causing vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Wait, it gets worse ...
This cheese is a delicacy in Sardinia, where it is illegal. That’s right. It is illegal in the only place where people actually want to eat it. If this does not communicate a very clear message, perhaps the larvae will, as they leap desperately toward your face in an effort to escape the putrescent horror of the only home they have ever known. Even the cheese itself is ashamed; when prodded, it weeps an odorous liquid called lagrima, Sardinian for "tears."

Danger of this turning up in America:
There is significant danger here, as we’re thinking the cheese companies have a lot of maggot stock in the back of their warehouse they’d like to get rid of. And, there may actually be a market for it. Self-loathing is a powerful force in this economy (see the diet section of your local supermarket) and there’s times you get low enough that, damn it, you feel like you deserve nothing better than infested cheese.

#4.
Lutefisk

From:
Norway.

What the hell is it?
Ahhh, Lutefisk. After the larvae-ridden cheese, it's a blessed relief to sample a clean, down-to-earth Scandinavian recipe.

A little too clean.

Lutefisk is a traditional Norwegian dish featuring cod that has been steeped for many days in a solution of lye, until its flesh is caustic enough to dissolve silver cutlery.

Wait, it gets worse ...
For those of you who don't know, lye (potassium hydroxide/sodium hydroxide) is a powerful industrial chemical used for cleaning drains, killing plants, de-budding cow horns, powering batteries and manufacturing biodiesel. Contact with lye can cause chemical burns, permanent scarring, blindness or total deliciousness, depending on whether you pour it onto a herring or your own face. Or, so the lutefisk industry would have us believe.

Danger of this turning up in America:
IT’S ALREADY HERE! Shit!

It’s true, lutefisk is more popular in the United States than in Norway. What the hell are they doing with it? They’re not eating it are they? Is it because it’s a cheap alternative to colonic irrigation? Seriously, how do you advertise this stuff?

#3.
Baby Mice Wine

From:
Korea.

What the hell is it?
What better to wash down your gelatinous lumps of lye fish than a nice chilled cup of dead mice? What better indeed.

Baby mice wine is a traditional Chinese and Korean “health tonic,” which apparently tastes like raw gasoline. Little mice, eyes still closed, are plucked from the embrace of their loving mothers and stuffed (while still alive) into a bottle of rice wine. They are left to ferment while their parents wring their tiny mouse paws in despair, tears drooping sadly from the tips of their whiskers.

Wait, it gets worse ...
Do you wince at the thought of swallowing a tequila worm? Imagine how you’d feel during a session on this bastard. Whoops, I swallowed a dead mouse! Whoops, there goes another one! Whoops, I just puked my entire body out of my nose!

Danger of this turning up in America:
Who are you going to find in America that’s OK with drinking dead fetus juice as a way to improve their own health? OK, other than lawyers.

#2.
Pacha

From:
Iraq.

What the hell is it?
Of all the dishes, this is the one most likely to be mistaken for a threatening message from the mob. It’s a sheep’s head. Boiled.

Wait, it gets worse ...
Pacha only reveals its terror gradually. Sure, maybe you can get around the fact that you’re eating face. But, the more you eat it, the more bone is revealed, until you give a final burp and set your cutlery down beside a grinning ivory skull. Its hollow eye sockets stare back at you with a look of grim damnation. "Burp while ye may," the sockets say, "for the same fate will happen to you--and all too soon."

We wonder why the Iraqis keep blowing themselves up? Wouldn’t you, if every evening meal was a festival of death?

Danger of this turning up in America:
Not looking like that, it won’t. But, you tell people that sheep head contains some kind of enzyme that boosts your metabolism and ...

#1.
Balut

From:
The Philippines

What the hell is it?
Behold, for our journey of horror reaches its destination. Balut are duck eggs that have been incubated until the fetus is all feathery and beaky, and then boiled alive. The bones give the eggs a uniquely crunchy texture.

They are enjoyed in Cambodia, Philippines and the fifth and seventh levels of hell. They are typically sold by street vendors at night, out of buckets of warm sand. You can spot the vendors because of their glowing red eyes, and the faint, otherworldly sound of children screaming.

Wait, it gets worse ...
... Because you’re never going to look at an egg the same way. Tell yourself that every time you crack open an egg from now on you won’t be half expecting a leathery wad of bird to come flopping out into the skillet.

Yes, balut is upsetting on about a half-dozen levels. Sure, all meat eaters know on some level that the delicious chop on your plate used to belong to something cute and fluffy, which gambolled in the sun during the brief spring of its life. Most of the time, it’s perfectly possible not to give a shit. But, when you’re biting into something that hasn’t even had a chance to see its mother’s face ... well, it’s different.

Danger of this turning up in America:
Actually, marketed properly, these eggs could be a damn good motivator. When you've looked death in the face at breakfast time, what the hell else can the day throw at you?


Monday, April 28, 2008

Sunday, April 27, 2008

TOEFL VOCABULARY AND TEST

TOEFL VOCABULARY:
adj. frightened; quivering
(a) tremulous
(b) craven
(c) succulent
(d) congenial

n. restraint; framework; raised edge of a sidewalk
(a) ken
(b) curb
(c) predilection
(d) equanimity

n. distortion of the face to express an attitude or feeling; anger; disapproval
(a) ascetic
(b) fallacy
(c) anarchy
(d) grimace

adj. shortened; summarized
(a) compendious
(b) immune
(c) sagacious
(d) stringent

n. similarity; correlation; parallelism; comparability
(a) analogy
(b) ramification
(c) mercenary
(d) curb


adj. unfeeling; insensitive; hard
(a) radical
(b) labyrinthine
(c) callous
(d) effete

v. to push away; to repel; to reject
(a) abash
(b) spurn
(c) consummate
(d) extirpate

v. to delay or refuse to commit oneself in order to gain time; to avoid an answer
(a) expatriate
(b) elucidate
(c) obtrude
(d) temporize

n. nautical unit of depth; unit of length equal to six feet
(a) dictum
(b) divisibility
(c) exultation
(d) fathom

adj. severe; demanding; strict; binding; constraining
(a) tenuous
(b) lavish
(c) supine
(d) stringent

adj. frightened; quivering (a) tremulous
n. restraint; framework; raised edge of a sidewalk (b) curb
n. distortion of the face to express an attitude or feeling; anger; disapproval (d) grimace
adj. shortened; summarized (a) compendious
n. similarity; correlation; parallelism; comparability (a) analogy
adj. unfeeling; insensitive; hard (c) callous
v. to push away; to repel; to reject (b) spurn
v. to delay or refuse to commit oneself in order to gain time; to avoid an answer (d) temporize
n. nautical unit of depth; unit of length equal to six feet (d) fathom
adj. severe; demanding; strict; binding; constraining (d) stringent

TOEFL test: http://www.english-test.net/toefl/vocabulary/words/001/toefl-test.php
TOEFL word list: http://www.english-test.net/toefl/vocabulary/words/001/toefl-definitions.php
TOEFL forum: http://www.english-test.net/forum/forum16.html
TOEFL preparation: http://www.english-test.net/toefl/index.html

Saturday, April 26, 2008

WORLD'S LONGEST FINGERNAILS

Sixty four year old Lee Redmond of Utah, USA holds the record for the longest fingernails. The total length of her talons in 24 feet and 7 inches. She keeps them supple by rubbing in olive oil. Since the record was set in September this lady has decided to cut her nails as she needs to take care of her husband who suffers from Alzheimer's.

She hasn't cut her nails since 1979.

A retired Indian photographer from Poona near Mumbai has been growing his fingernails for almost 50 years. He has put them up for auction. His thumbnail alone measures 4.8 feet and resembles a twisted, thin, antler like protrusion. It is tortoiseshell in colour and coiled up in spirals.

Shridar Chillal has held this record for 20 years. His hands are permanently disfigured because of the weight of these nails. You can see the coil formed by his thumbnail in this picture.

Li Jian Ping of Shishi, Fujian Province, China is a close contender for this record.

Li Jian Ping heard about the Indian photographer and was determined to beat him. He has not cut his fingernails for fifteen years and the combined length of the nails on his left hand is over one metre.

Barbara Wing of Salt Lake City, Utah didn't reach the record books but her nails are strangely beautiful.

She had been growing her fingernails for over fifteen years when she had this nail art applied. She proudly displays 10 Jazzmen on her 7 inch long nails.

Lauretta Adams from Dallas, Texas tried for 25 years to grown her nails to record breaking lengths.

They reached 150 inches when she decided to give up and cut them in October 1997, as they were causing her pain.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

OCTOBER EXPECTED VERBAL QUESTIONS

1. Invigorate - To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate; stimulate; heighten or intensify; give life or energy to; make lively; impart vigor, strength, or vitality to
2. Assiduous - Constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing; persistent; hard-working
3. Penchant - A definite liking; a strong inclination; fondness; strong liking for or bias in favor of something
4. Eulogy - A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died; high praise or commendation; expression of warm approval; acclamation
5. Disavow - To disclaim knowledge of, responsibility for, or association with; refuse to recognize or acknowledge; reject
6. Incompetent - Not qualified in legal terms; inadequate for or unsuited to a particular purpose or application; devoid of those qualities requisite for effective conduct or action; unskillful, unable; lacking the qualities, as efficiency or skill, required to produce desired results
7. Resilient - Marked by the ability to recover readily, as from misfortune; capable of returning to an original shape or position, as after having been compressed; bouncy, flexible; having the quality of springing back to a former position. Also: Able to recover quickly from sickness or difficulty; sturdy
8. Arid - Lacking moisture, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants; lacking interest or feeling; lifeless and dull; uninterested, spiritless; having little or no liquid or moisture; extremely dry
9. Bedlam - A place or situation of noisy uproar and confusion; chaotic situation; a state of extreme confusion and disorder; scene of great uproar and confusion
10. Frenetic - Wildly excited or active; frantic; frenzied; marked by extreme excitement, confusion, or agitation; maniacal
11. Erratic - Having no fixed or regular course; wandering; lacking consistency, regularity, or uniformity; unpredictable; wandering
12. Penitent - Feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins; person performing penance under the direction of a confessor; shamed, sorrowful; undergoing or awaiting punishment
13. Elation - High spirits; extreme happiness; lifting up by success; exaltation; inriation with pride of prosperity
14. Probity - Complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness; quality or state of being morally sound; fairness, honesty; virtue or integrity tested and confirmed
15. Indefeasible - That cannot be annulled or made void
16. Dawdler - One who wastes time in trifling employments; an idler; a trifler; someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
17. Bogus - Counterfeit or fake; not genuine; fraudulently or deceptively imitative
18. Abstruse - Difficult to understand; recondite; difficult to understand
19. Resplendent - Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant; bright, radiant; bright and colorful, almost glowing; marked by extraordinary elegance, beauty, and splendor
20. Metaphorical - Figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison; one thing conceived as representing another; a symbol; expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another
21. Literal - Employing the very same words as another; exact, real; being in accordance with, conforming to, or upholding the exact or primary meaning of a word or words; avoiding exaggeration, metaphor, or embellishment; factual; prosaic
22. Hapless - Luckless; unfortunate; involving or undergoing chance misfortune
23. Intransigent - Refusing to moderate a position, especially an extreme position; uncompromising; firmly, often unreasonably immovable in purpose or will; not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course; unsusceptible to persuasion
24. Predicament - A situation, especially an unpleasant, troublesome, or trying one, from which extrication is difficult; a difficult, often embarrassing situation or condition; the wage of consistency
25. Tactual - Of, relating to, or arising from the sense of touch; producing a sensation of touch; tactile
26. Opulent - Possessing or exhibiting great wealth; affluent; characterized by rich abundance; luxuriant; rich and superior in quality
27. Floppy - Tending to flop; loose and flexible; lacking in stiffness or firmness; limp
28. Willowy - Slender and graceful; planted with or abounding in willows
29. Potentiate - To enhance or increase the effect of (a drug); promote or strengthen (a biochemical or physiological action or effect); make potent or powerful
30. Frugality - Careful use of material resources; prudence in avoiding waste
31. Insolent - Presumptuous and insulting in manner or speech; arrogant; audaciously rude or disrespectful; impertinent; bold, disrespectful; rude and insulting
32. Mushroom - Any of various fleshy fungi of the class Basidiomycota, characteristically having an umbrella-shaped cap borne on a stalk, especially any of the edible kinds; to increase or expand suddenly, rapidly, or without control; sprout
33. Fungus - A plant that has no leaves, flowers, or green color

Monday, April 21, 2008

GRE ANALOGY QUESTIONS FINAL VOLUME(WITH ANSWERS)

66). DUPLICATE:ALTER

(A) greet:ignore
(B) exchange:return
(C) shake:stabilize
(D) stretch:shrink
(E) eradicate:implicate

67). FIRE:STORM

(A) whale:minnow
(B) speech:shout
(C) plant:flower
(D) wind:temperature
(E) tornado:hurricane

68). PRESERVE:MORATORIUM

(A) tyrannize:revolt
(B) shade:tree
(C) solve:problem
(D) accumulate:collection
(E) cover:eclipse

69). ACQUIESCENT:CHANGE

(A) irresistible:defy
(B) surmountable:overcome
(C) tolerant:bother
(D) secluded:build
(E) redundant:abridge

70). EXCRUTIATE:PAIN

(A) marvel:sight
(B) season:storm
(C) enrapture:pleasure
(D) consecrate:place
(E) channel:flood


Answers:

66) OA - D. X and Y are antonyms ( where Y is not a positive word)
Duplicate - Identically copied from an original
Alter - To change or make different
Shrink - To reduce in size, as by drawing together
Stretch - To become lengthened, widened, or distended

67). OA - E - X,Y are synonyms or X is a type of Y - Both the stem words are destructing.
Fire - The discharge of firearms or artillery
Storm - A heavy shower of objects, such as bullets or missiles
Tornado - A whirlwind or hurricane

68) A moratorium is an official halt or cessation of an activity. One possible purpose, or use, of a moratorium is to preserve (for instance, to preserve an endangered animal species). Similarly, one possible use of a tree is to shade. The second answer choice is the best response.

69) Choice (A) is the opposite of the correct bridge - something that is irresistible cannot be defied. Neither tolerant and bother, in Choice (B), nor secluded and build , in Choice (D) have an ostensible link. Finally, in Choice (E) something that is redundant may or may not be capable of being abridged.

70) OA - C - X is extreme Y





Analogies 71 - 75

71). ATTENTIVE:OFFICIOUS::

(A) doubtful:ambiguous
(B) absorbed:engrossed
(C) refined:snobbish
(D) magisterial:authoritative
(E) impromptu:spontaneous

72). RUFFLE:SHIRT::

(A) rafter:roof
(B) molding:cabinet
(C) gate:path
(D) curb:sidewalk
(E) shade:window

73). HACK:CARVE::

(A) grind:polish
(B) snip: mince
(C) hew:fell
(D) whet:blunt
(E) gouge:engrave

74). PLAGIARISM:IDEAS::

(A) libel:words
(B) forgery:documents
(C) arson:buildings
(D) kidnapping: ransom
(E) rustling:cattle

75). PROOF:ALCOHOL::

(A) cream:milk
(B) canteen:water
(C) tanker:oil
(D) octane:gasoline
(E) pulp:juice


Answers:

71). OA - C - Y is a bad form of X.

72). OA - B - X is to arrange Y in a portable/decorative way
Molding - an embellishment in strip form, made of wood or other structural material, that is used to decorate or finish a surface, such as the wall of a room or building or the surface of a door or piece of furniture
Ruffle - a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim

73). OA - E - Doing X roughly is Y

74). OA - B - X is illegal immitation another person's Y
Plagiarism - copying of another's work
Forgery - a fraudulent imitation

75). OA - D - X is a measure of strength or purity of Y
Proof - measure of strength or purity of alcohol
Octane (number) - is a measure of quality of gasoline (number of molecules in the polymer); a measure of the antiknock properties of gasoliNE CHAIN

Sunday, April 20, 2008

GRE EXPECTED ANALOGY QUESTIONS ....VOL 5(WITH ANSWERS)

51). ENFRANCHISE:VOTE::

(A). advertise:sell
(B). fumigate:kill
(C). filter:purify
(D). illuminate:see
(E). ignite:burn

52). MISCALCULATION:JUDGEMENT::

(A). breach:fortification
(B). fumble:location
(C). gaffe:decorum
(D). exaggeration:statement
(E). default:loan

53). REPROVE:REPRIMAND::

(A). blame:censure
(B). control:contain
(C). persuade:convince
(D). thwart:confront
(E). inconvenience:effect

54). DAGUERREOTYPE:PHOTOGRAPH::

(A). bust:statue
(B). pastiche:painting
(C). narrative:novel
(D). hieroglyphic:papyrus
(E). musket:firearm

55). AUTHORITATIVE:ACCEPTANCE::

(A). conspicuous:attention
(B). nebulous:validation
(C). congruous:appropriation
(D). maudlin:passion
(E). tangible:substance


Answers --

51). Best ans is D -- X enables to Y
The catch is, ENFRANCHISE enables to VOTE but one may choose not to vote. ILLUMINATE means brighten with light which in turn enables us to SEE, but one may choose not to see.
IGNITE - catch fire, or set on fire; provoke or stir up...or IGNITE means already BURNT
Both enfranchise and illuminate are +ve words whereas ignite is a -ve word....so can be ruled out...

52). Best ans C -- X leads to negative Y
Gaffe - an embarrassing blunder.
Decorum - polite and socially acceptable behaviour.

53). Best ans is A -- Y is a greater/harsher degree of X or to Y is to X severely.
Reprimand - a formal expression of disapproval.
Reprove - reprimand; tell off.
Censure - strong disapproval or criticism.
Blame - criticism for doing something badly or wrongly.

54). Best ans is E -- X is an old fashioned Y or X is an old type of Y.

55). Best ans is A -- X calls for Y in others





Analogies 56 - 60

56). EXORBITANT:MODERATION::

(A) dispassionate:equanimity
(B) macabre:interest
(C) perfidious:loyalty
(D) brilliant:gullibility
(E) lavish:extravagance

57). ARTICULATE:MURKY::

(A) credulous:amiable
(B) desiccated:moist
(C) formidable:dark
(D) derelict:neglectful
(E) opaque:milky

58). FERTILIZE:GROW::

(A) immunize:resist
(B) nourish:enrich
(C) heat:burn
(D) graft:multiply
(E) prune:dwarf

59). ENDORSE:CANDIDATE::

(A) sign:affidavit
(B) endure:trial
(C) idolize:celebrity
(D) espouse:idea
(E) devise:plan

60). MARATHON:RACE::

(A) victory:competition
(B) sprint:finish
(C) filibuster:speech
(D) novel:author
(E) deposition:question

Answers --

56). Best ans is C -- X lacks Y
Exhorbitant will lack moderation, and perfidious will lack loyalty.

57). Correct - Ans is B -- Something that is described as X cannot be Y. Something that is "articulate" is "clear" and "distinct," whereas something that is "murky" is "unclear" or "vague." To answer this question, look for an answer choice that contains two words that are antonyms.
The adjective "desiccated" is used to describe something that has "dried up from a lack of moisture," which is the opposite of "moist," so answer choice B is correct.
Someone who is "credulous," or "naive" and "easy to deceive," may or may not be "amiable," or "friendly," so answer choice A is incorrect. Answer choices C, D, and E are incorrect because they each contain two words that are similar in meaning.

58). A is the best choice -- X helps to Y.
As fertilize is to help to grow, so immunize is strength to resist.

59). D is the best choice -- People X a Y that is being considered for something if they support it.
People often "endorse," or "give support to," a "candidate" who is being "considered for" something."Espouse" is a synonym of "endorse"; therefore, answer choice D is correct because people will "espouse" an "idea" that they support. To "endorse" can also mean "to sign," but people "sign" an "affidavit" to "swear" that something is true, so answer choice A is incorrect. To "endure" means "to put up with" or "suffer through," not "support," so answer choice B is incorrect. Although people may "idolize" a "celebrity," a "celebrity" is not a person or cause that is being "considered for" something, so answer choice C is incorrect. People may "devise" a "plan," but to "devise" does not mean to "support," so answer choice E is incorrect.

60). Best ans is C -- X is a longer version of a Y.
A "marathon" is a "long-distance race.A "filibuster" is a "lengthy speech," or a longer version of a "speech." A "victory" is a possible outcome of a "competition," but not a longer version of a "competition," so answer choice A is incorrect. Someone may "sprint" to "finish," but "sprint" is not a type of "finish," so answer choice B is incorrect. A "novel" is a "lengthy narrative," but not a type of "author," so answer choice D is incorrect. A "deposition" includes several questions (plural), but is not a lengthy "question," so answer choice E is incorrect.




Analogies 61 - 65

61). SUBSIDY:SUPPORT::

(A) assistance:endowment
(B) funds:fellowship
(C) credit:payment
(D) debt:obligation
(E) loan:note

62). SNOW:PRECIPITATION

(A) lava:volcano
(B) hurrican:cyclone
(C) desert:drought
(D) seed:germination
(E) temperature:season

63). MARATHON:STAMINA

(A) relay:independence
(B) hurdle:perseverance
(C) sprint:celerity
(D) jog:weariness
(E) ramble:directness

64). MOCK:IMITATE

(A) satirize:charm
(B) condense:summarize
(C) placate:assuage
(D) adapt:duplicate
(E) taunt:challenge

65). ILLUSION:PERCEPTION

(A) lapse:miscalculation
(B) justice:impartiality
(C) cunning:truth
(D) gaffe:judgement
(E) forcefulness:coercion


Answers:

61). OA - D - X is a kind of Y in form of money

62). OA - B - X is extreme form of Y
Hurricane - A severe tropical cyclone
Snow - Very dense precipitation; a frozen precipitation

63). OA - C - X is characterized by that which requires Y to win
Sprint - To move rapidly or at top speed for a brief period, as in running or swimming
Celerity - Rapidness of movement or activity

64). OA - E - X is to Y in a ridicule manner

65). OA - D - X is wrong Y
Illusion is wrong perception.
Gaffe is wrong judgement.

FOR QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS FOR GRE PLEASE DO VISIT http://cafedeelectronics.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 19, 2008

GRE ANALOGY QUESTIONS..VOL 4

31). DRAW: DOODLE::

(A). talk: whisper
(B). travel: ramble
(C). run: walk
(D). calculate: add
(E). eat: gobble

32). OVERDOSE: PRESCRIPTION::

(A). deprivation: materialism
(B). indiscretion: convention
(C). affliction: sympathy
(D). adventure: expedition
(E). drug: medicine

33). WORSHIP : SACRIFICE

(A). generation : pyre
(B). burial : mortuary
(C). weapon : centurion
(D). massacre : invasion
(E). prediction : augury

34). RANGE : MOUNTAINS::

(A). atlas : maps
(B). plain : praire
(C). string : beads
(D). novel : short stories
(E). sea : rivers

35). EXCESSIVE :: MODERATION::

(A). extensive : duration
(B). arbitrary : courage
(C). impulsive : reflection
(D). distinguished : reverence
(E). expensive : cost


Answers --

31). Best answer is C -- to Y is to X aimlessly.
To doodle is to draw aimlessly and to ramble is to travel aimlessly.

32). Best answer is B -- X is failure to conform to Y
Overdose -- to take too much medication.
Prescription -- what the doctor tells you to take.
Indiscretion -- doing something foolish and embarassing.
Convention -- generally accepted standard of behaviour.

33). The best ans is E -- Y is one of the possible actions to perform X, or more simply, Y is a kind of X.
SACRIFICE ( the act of killing (an animal or person) in order to appease a deity) MAY be (not Necessarliy but could be) used as a part of WORSHIP ( to put more weight or momentum to the act of WORSHIPPING ). AUGURY which means, an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come, MAY BE (not Necessarily but could be) used as a factor of PREDICTION ( to put more weight or momentum to the act of PREDECTING).

34). Best ans is C -- X is a series of Y.
A range is a series of mountains, similarly a string is a series of beads.
35). Best ans is C -- X lacks Y.
Excessive is opposite to moderation, something that is not restrained or moderated. Simailary, impulsive actions lack reflection, done without really thinking much about it....reflection also means a careful thought





Analogies 36 - 40

36). DOSE:MEDICINE::

(A). current:river
(B). electricity:shock
(C). tremor:earthquake
(D). tempo:music
(E). sentence:punishment

37). MOIST:SODDEN::

(A). warm:inviting
(B). surprise:astonished
(C). hopeless:bereft
(D). magical:sentimental
(E). soft:euphonius

38). FRUGAL:MISERLY::

(A). confident:arrogant
(B). courageous:pugnacious
(C). famous:aggressive
(D). rash:foolhardy
(E). quiet:timid

39). MITIGATE:SEVERE::

(A). compile:available
(B). restore:new
(C). contribute:charitable
(D). venerate:reverent
(E). qualify:general

40). GULLIBLE:CHICANERY::

(A). servile:domination
(B). provincial:cosmopolitanism
(C). adventurous:timidity
(D). hypochondriacal:infection
(E). placid:deliberation

Answers --

36). Best ans is E -- X is the prescribed form of Y.
A dose is a prescribed form of medicine similarly a sentence is a prescribed form of a punishment .

37). B is the best ans -- X means(indicates) an amount of Y

38). A is the best answer -- X need not be Y.
FRUGALITY' and MISERLY both denote less spending, but this does not means that every frugal person is miser. Similarly a confident person need not be arrogant.
Note -- Frugal is +ve word whereas miserly is a negative word, hence in answer stem.... X must be a +ve word -- Confident and Y must be a -ve word -- Arrogant..

39). E is the best answer -- X is to make something less Y
Mitigate is to make less severe and qualify is to make less general.
All dresses are beautiful. - General statement
All dresses of pink colour are beautiful.- Qualified statement.
Hence qualify in this sense means to make something, e.g a statement, less general.

40). A is the best answer -- somebody X is likely to be subjected to Y or X is prone to Y.
gullible person is prone to chicanery
CHICANERY means "use of tricks to deceive a person" and GULLIBLE means " easily deceived"
a servile person is prone to domination
SERVILE is pertaining to slaves




Analogies 41 - 45

41). LAW:CRIMINALITY::

(A). ritual:orthodoxy
(B). leadership:submission
(C). consensus:factionalism
(D). lesson:falsehood
(E). rehabilitation:vacillation

42). LAW:JUDGMENT::

(A). jury:verdict
(B). data:collection
(C). information:decision
(D).news:message
(E). sample : population

43). IMPRESARIO:ENTERTAINMENT::

(A). pugilist:peace
(B). magnate:diplomacy
(C). usher:concert
(D). athlete:contest
(E). broker:trade

44). INDISTINGUISHABLE:CONFOUND::

(A). exceptional:overlook
(B). impregnable:attack
(C). ostentatious:consume
(D). equivalent:interchange
(E). occluded:reveal

45). ASSERT:BELABOR::

(A). tend:fuss
(B). refine:temper
(C). describe:demean
(D). resemble:portray
(E). contaminate:purge

Answers --

41). D is the best answer -- X keeps a check on Y or X is to remove Y or X is used to curb Y.
LAW is used to curb CRIMINALITY
lesson is used to curb falsehood.
[consensus is achieved when there is no factionalism].

42). Best ans is C -- the process of making Y is based on X.
The process of making judgement is based on law. The process of making decision is based on information.
Jury is supposed to deliver a verdict. However, law itself is not supposed to deliver a judgement. Indeed, law is a defining criterion for making a judgement

43). Best ans is E -- X is a promoter of Y or X is Y
IMPRESARIO is an ENTERTAINER
BROKER is a TRADER
A broker conducts or more vaguely organises trade.

44). Best ans is D -- X and Y are like synonyms or if two things are X they can be Y.
If two things are indistinguishable they can be confused.
If two things are equivalent they can be interchanged.

45). Best ans is A -- To Y is to X excessively.
To ASSERT is to make a statement that something is true or to defend one's statement, and to BELABOUR means to discuss repeatedly or at length over a statement. TEND means to care, and FUSS means to be excessively careful or concerned.
Relationship: Higher Degree (Negative Extent)




Analogies 46 - 50

46). MOSAIC:TILES::

(A). painting:canvas
(B). fresco:paintbrush
(C). blend:beans
(D). narrative:prologue
(E). puzzle:pieces

47). SHRUG:INDIFFERENCE::

(A). jump:excitement
(B). scowl:pleasure
(C). snort:laughter
(D). nod:agreement
(E). sob:sorrow

48). DINGY:CHEER::

(A). sprawling:compactness
(B). airy:ventilation
(C). verdant:color
(D). ebullient:mockery
(E). wisdom:cleverness

49). BOLT:EAT::

(A). guzzle:swill
(B). career:run
(C). lambaste:talk
(D). waver:stand
(E). fabricate:lie

50). PROLOGUE:NOVEL::

(A). preamble:statute
(B). drawing:sketch
(C). movement:symphony
(D). index:book
(E). blueprint:building

Answers --

46). Best ans is E -- X is made up of Y
Mosaic picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles;
The pieces of the puzzle fit together i.e the puzzle is made up of pieces.

47). Best ans is D --Shrug is a gesture indicating indifference.
Jump is not a gesture, nor does it always indicate excitement.
Scowl is an expression indicating bad temper, not pleasure.
Snort is a noise indicating rage, not laughter.
Nod is a gesture indicating agreement; this is analogous to the relationship of the original pair.
Sob is not a gesture, but an act of crying, though it does express sorrow and pain.

48). Best ans is A -- X lacks Y or X and Y are antonyms.

49). Best ans is B -- X is to Y with great speed or X is to Y hurriedly.
bolt -- to eat hurridly
career -- to rush (or run) hurridly.

50). Best ans is A -- X is an introduction to Y
prologue is an introductory part of a literary work...novel etc
preamble is an introductory part of a constitution or statute.

Friday, April 18, 2008

ANALOGY QUESTIONS......... VOL 4

21). BOOR : UNEDUCATED ::

A). debutant : vague
B). monk : irreverent
C). activist : involved
D). adept : eager
E). musician : extended

22). CHAPTER : BOOK ::

A). alcove : nook
B). paragraph : sentence
C). page : rip
D). epistle : letter
E). room : house

23). CATATONIC : EMOTIONS ::

A). valorous : regret
B). turgid : water
C). viscous : sickness
D). rigid : flexibility
E). shiny : flare

24). TUITION : STIPEND ::

A). fee : post
B). bill : check
C). bail : bond
D). subscription : membership
E). fine : interest

25). CHOIR: SINGER::

A) election: voter
B) anthology: poet
C) cast: actor
D) orchestra: composer
E) convention: speaker


Answers -

21). The correct choice is answer C. A boor is someone who is uneducated. An activist is someone who is involved.

22). The correct choice is answer E. Chapters make up a book. Rooms make up a house.

23). The correct answer choice is D. Someone who is catatonic shows no emotions. Someone who is rigid lacks flexibility.

24). The correct answer choice is C. A stipend is tuition that one person pays for another. A bond is bail that one person pays for another.

25). OA -- C .A "choir" is a group of people that is composed of more than one "singer" Therefore and a rationale for this analogy might be "X (a choir) is a group of people that is composed of more than one Y (singer)."
(A) is not the answer. More than one "voter" participates in an election and but the "election" is not itself a group of people.
(B) is not the answer. An "anthology" is composed of works, not of persons. The "poet" or poets author the works.
(C) is the answer. The "cast" (of a play) is a group of people that is made up of more than one "actor."
(D) is not the answer. An "orchestra" is a group of people that is composed of more than one musician.It is not a group of composers.
(E) is not the answer. A "convention" may have more than one "speaker," but it is not necessarily made up of speakers.





Analogies 26 - 30

26). GLARING: BRIGHT::

(A) iridescent: colorful
(B) perceptible: visible
(C) discordant: harmonious
(D) peoppery: salty
(E) deafening: loud

27). TENDER: ACCEPTANCE::

(A) publish: wisdom
(B) exhibit: inspection
(C) scrutinize: foresight
(D) authorize: approval
(E) declare: observation

28). TRANSMIGRATE:STATE::

(A). invert:logic
(B). substitute:replacement
(C). metamorphose:form
(D). intimate:implication
(E). deduce:reasoning

29). THIRST : DRIVE

(A). inebriety : excess
(B). success : ambition
(C). indifference : passion
(D). taste : gusto
(E). smell : sense

30). OVER : ULTRAVIOLET ::

(A). into: ultramarine
(B). onto : ultraist
(C). beyond : purple
(D). through : inferior
(E). under: infrared

Answers -

26). OA -- E. One meaning of "glaring" is uncomfortably "bright." A rationale for this analogy could be "Something described as X is so strongly Y as to uncomforable for people to perceive."

(A) is not the answer. "Iridescent" means producing a play of colors and does not imply strenght of color.
(B) is not the answer. To be "visible" is to be "perceptible" in a particular way. No difference in strength is implied.
(C) is not the answer. 'Discordant " and "harmonious" are opposites and so cannot be related to one another in the way described in the rationale. (D) is not the answer. 'Peppery " does not mean strongly "salty"
(E) is answer. Something properly described as "deafening " is so "loud" that it is uncomfortable for people to perceive it.

27). B is the correct answer.Bridge for this analogy is -- To X is to offer (to others) for Y.
To tender -- to offer for acceptance.
e.g - We tender money when we want to purchase something

28). E is the right answer .
GRE TIP -- synonyms (or particularly GRE analogy synonyms) must be interchangeable in sentences..

29). Though the correct answer is B , I support C, B makes no sense to me.
transmigrate -- to change one state to another
metamorphose -- to change one form to another
substitute -- to change one replacement to a different one or a person or thing that replaces

Therefore do not see any reason for C being wrong and B being correct. Thus answer must be C

30). The correct answer choice is E. Light of a frequency over what the human eye can see is ultraviolet. Light of a frequency under what the human eye can see is infrared.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

EXPECTED ANALOGY QUESTIONS.......VOL 3

16). RHETORIC : LAWYER ::

A). ineptitude : accountant
B). oratory : engineer
C). maverick : scientist
D). deduction : detective
E). solidarity : warrior

17). VAGUE : NEBULOUS ::

A). spectacular : legitimate
B). mundane : commonplace
C). magical : impressive
D). steep : shallow
E). lively : inactive

18). POTABLE: DRINK ::

A). taxable : pay
B). attainable : commute
C). reparable : fix
D). inedible : eat
E). laughable : joke

19). CAPRICIOUS : IMPULSIVE ::

A). magnanimous : generous
B). articulate : critical
C). petty : deceptive
D). diligent : precise
E). provocative : appealing

20). UTILITARIAN : QUIXOTIC ::

A). disconcerting : unsettling
B). ephemeral : fleeting
C). malevolent : kind
D). loquacious : talkative
E). obdurate : stubborn


Answers -

16). The correct answer choice is D. Rhetoric is a skill used by a lawyer. Deduction is a skill used by a detective.

17). The correct answer choice is B. Something vague is nebulous. Something mundane is commonplace.

18). The correct choice is answer C. Something that is potable is something one can drink, just as something that is reparable is something one can fix.

19). The best answer is A. The adjective "capricious" can be used to describe someone who is "impulsive." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: A "____" person is very "____." To find the answer to this question, look for an answer choice that contains two words that are synonyms. A "magnanimous" person is, by definition, "generous" (for example, with money, gifts, and so on). Although someone who is "articulate" could also be "critical," the words are not synonyms, so answer choice B is incorrect. Likewise, even though someone who is "petty" could also be "deceptive," a "petty" person is not always "deceptive," so answer choice C is incorrect. A "diligent" person is characterized by "carefulness" and "determination," but not necessarily "precision," so answer choice D is incorrect. A "provocative" person could be "appealing," but "provocative" means "tending to provoke or excite," and is not a synonym of "appealing," .

20). The best answer is C. "Utilitarian" is an adjective that is used to describe something that is "useful" and "practical." Conversely, the adjective "quixotic" means "idealistic" or "impractical." A general sentence that can be used to describe the analogy is: Something that is appropriately described as "____" cannot be "____." To answer this question, determine which of the answer choices contains two words that are antonyms. Something that is "malevolent" would never be described as "kind" because the two words are opposite in meaning; therefore, answer choice C is correct.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

EXPECTED ANALOGY QUESTIONS ...VOL 2(WITH ANSWERS)

11). DINGY: GLISTEN::

(A) slippery: Adhere
(B) coarse: Polish
(C) sharp: Hone
(D) shallow: Overflow
(E) savory: Taste

12). COUNTENANCE: TOLERATION::

A) defer: ignorance
B) renounce: mistrust
C) encroach: jealousy
D) demur: objection
E) reject: disappointment

13). SLITHER: SNAKE::

A) perch: eagle
B) bask: lizard
C) waddle: duck
D) circle: hawk
E) croak: frog

14). REDOLENT: SMELL::

A) curious: knowledge
B) lucid: sight
C) torpid: motion
D) ephemeral: touch
E) piqant: taste

15). PROCTOR: SUPERVISE::

A) prophet: rule
B) profiteer: consume
C) profligate: demand
D) prodigal: squander
E) prodigy: wonder

Answer -

11). A is the best choice - something X will not Y

12). D is the right choice -- To "countenance" can mean to approve or make a show of "toleration." To "demur" means to express or to show an "objection." -- "To X is to show Y."
(A) -- incorrect - To "defer" does not clearly mean to express "ignorance." To "defer" could show "ignorance" in certain contexts and but there is not enough information in the analogy to allow this conclusion.
(B) -- incorrect - To "renounce" could indicate "mistrust," "Mistrust" is not an essential element in the definition of renunciation.
(C) -- incorrect - To "encroach" could be said to cause "jealousy," not to show it.
(E) -- incorrect - To "reject" could be a way of showing "disappointment," Rejection is not an essential element in the definition of "disappintment."

13). C is the correct answer - In order to go forward and a "snake" will "slither," -- "In order to go forward animal Y will X." or "To X is a characteristic way for animal Y to move forward." In order to go forward and a "duck" will "waddle." To "waddle" is a characteristic way for a "duck" to go forward.
A) -- incorrect - An "eagle" may "perch," but to "perch" does not imply forward movement.
B) -- incorrect - A "lizard" may "bask", but to "bask" does not imply forward movement.
D) -- incorrect - "Circle" describes the path of forward motion and not the characteristic physical motion by which the "hawk" moves forward. E) -- incorrect - A "frog" "croaks," but to "croak" is not a way of moving forward.

14). E is the right answer - Something "redolent" stimulates the sense of "smell." -- "Something described as X stimulates sense Y." Something described as "piquant" stimulates the sense of "taste."
A) -- incorrect - Something "curious" might stimulate one to acquire "knowledge," but "knowledge" itself cannot be stimulated.
B) -- incorrect - "Lucid" means intelligible, clear and or understandable and Something "lucid" does not necessarily stimulate one's sense of "sight"
C) -- incorrect - "Torpid" means having lost "motion"
D) -- incorrect - Something "ephemeral" lasts for only a short time. No conclusion can be drawn about its ability to stimulate the sense of "touch."

15). D is the best choice -- A "proctor" is by definition one who "supervises" -- "X is one who, by definition, Ys and that is supervise (s)." "prodigal," one who is recklessly extravagant, "squander (s)" or spends wastefully.
A) -- incorrect - A "prophet" does not by definition "rule."
B) -- incorrect - A "profiteer" may "consume," but to "consme" is not a part of the definition of a "profiteer"
C) -- incorrect - A "profligate" (one who is wildly extravagant) is likely to "demand," but demanding is not a defining characteristic of a "profligate"
E) -- incorrect - A "prodigy" may cause wonder and but to "wonder" is not a defining characteristic of a "prodigy."

Saturday, April 12, 2008

EXPECTED ANALOGY QUESTIONS ...VOL 2(WITH ANSWERS)

11). DINGY: GLISTEN::

(A) slippery: Adhere
(B) coarse: Polish
(C) sharp: Hone
(D) shallow: Overflow
(E) savory: Taste

12). COUNTENANCE: TOLERATION::

A) defer: ignorance
B) renounce: mistrust
C) encroach: jealousy
D) demur: objection
E) reject: disappointment

13). SLITHER: SNAKE::

A) perch: eagle
B) bask: lizard
C) waddle: duck
D) circle: hawk
E) croak: frog

14). REDOLENT: SMELL::

A) curious: knowledge
B) lucid: sight
C) torpid: motion
D) ephemeral: touch
E) piqant: taste

15). PROCTOR: SUPERVISE::

A) prophet: rule
B) profiteer: consume
C) profligate: demand
D) prodigal: squander
E) prodigy: wonder

Answer -

11). A is the best choice - something X will not Y

12). D is the right choice -- To "countenance" can mean to approve or make a show of "toleration." To "demur" means to express or to show an "objection." -- "To X is to show Y."
(A) -- incorrect - To "defer" does not clearly mean to express "ignorance." To "defer" could show "ignorance" in certain contexts and but there is not enough information in the analogy to allow this conclusion.
(B) -- incorrect - To "renounce" could indicate "mistrust," "Mistrust" is not an essential element in the definition of renunciation.
(C) -- incorrect - To "encroach" could be said to cause "jealousy," not to show it.
(E) -- incorrect - To "reject" could be a way of showing "disappointment," Rejection is not an essential element in the definition of "disappintment."

13). C is the correct answer - In order to go forward and a "snake" will "slither," -- "In order to go forward animal Y will X." or "To X is a characteristic way for animal Y to move forward." In order to go forward and a "duck" will "waddle." To "waddle" is a characteristic way for a "duck" to go forward.
A) -- incorrect - An "eagle" may "perch," but to "perch" does not imply forward movement.
B) -- incorrect - A "lizard" may "bask", but to "bask" does not imply forward movement.
D) -- incorrect - "Circle" describes the path of forward motion and not the characteristic physical motion by which the "hawk" moves forward. E) -- incorrect - A "frog" "croaks," but to "croak" is not a way of moving forward.

14). E is the right answer - Something "redolent" stimulates the sense of "smell." -- "Something described as X stimulates sense Y." Something described as "piquant" stimulates the sense of "taste."
A) -- incorrect - Something "curious" might stimulate one to acquire "knowledge," but "knowledge" itself cannot be stimulated.
B) -- incorrect - "Lucid" means intelligible, clear and or understandable and Something "lucid" does not necessarily stimulate one's sense of "sight"
C) -- incorrect - "Torpid" means having lost "motion"
D) -- incorrect - Something "ephemeral" lasts for only a short time. No conclusion can be drawn about its ability to stimulate the sense of "touch."

15). D is the best choice -- A "proctor" is by definition one who "supervises" -- "X is one who, by definition, Ys and that is supervise (s)." "prodigal," one who is recklessly extravagant, "squander (s)" or spends wastefully.
A) -- incorrect - A "prophet" does not by definition "rule."
B) -- incorrect - A "profiteer" may "consume," but to "consme" is not a part of the definition of a "profiteer"
C) -- incorrect - A "profligate" (one who is wildly extravagant) is likely to "demand," but demanding is not a defining characteristic of a "profligate"
E) -- incorrect - A "prodigy" may cause wonder and but to "wonder" is not a defining characteristic of a "prodigy."

Thursday, April 10, 2008

ANSWERS FOR THE ANALOGY QUESTIONS ...VOL 1

Answers -

1). D is the right answer -- X is primarily composed of Y and in process of using X , Y gets used up. -- "A tire/candle is primarily composed of rubber/wax, and in the process of using a tire/candle, the rubber/wax gets used up."

2). A is the best answer -- Y is the function of X - results in some creation.
Needle knits
Loom weaves.

3). A is the correct answer. Bridge -- Y is the secret form of X.
To secrete is to store secretly
To abscond is to depart secretly.

4). B is the right choice -- Curtain is used to cover the stage as veil is used to cover the face.

5). A is the correct answer -- bridge is "x lacks y"

6). E is the right answer -- an alarm is triggered; a trap is sprung.

7). B is the correct choice -- X is a kind of Y.
ALCOVE is a kind of RECESS and DOME is a kind of ROOF

Cool. C is the best answer -- X invokes feeling of Y in someone
a redoutable(formidable,causing fear) thing fills u with awe;
a despicable statement fills u with contempt.

9). B is the correct answer -- Y is the defining or characterising noun that describes X
Skirmish is a fight of insignificance (as quality)
Duel is a fight of formality (of quality)

10). C is the right choice -- X is an intention/feeling toward something positive which lacks Y.
Pluck - noun - means "courageous intention/feeling to fight against odds", that excludes the possibility to quit.


FROM NEXT POST ONWARDS I'LL PROVIDE THE ANSWERS ALONG WITH THESE QUESTIONS...IF YOU WANT SOMETHING MORE PLEASE DO COMMENT ME

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

PROJECT GOTHAM RACING-REVIEW(XBOX 360)

With 2005's Project Gotham Racing 3, Bizarre Creations ushered in a new era of racing on the Xbox 360 with a game that continued the long-standing quality of its Project Gotham series with amazing graphics and online options. Here we are, two years later, and Bizarre has turned in the fourth game of the PGR series, one that opens up the vehicles list a bit and adds to the online fun, yet still follows the tried-and-true PGR formula. In short, Project Gotham Racing 4 continues the series' tradition of brilliant visuals and fun gameplay, and adds to the list with new rides,tracks and weather effects that must be driven to be believed.



Weather abounds in Project Gotham Racing 4. In fact, along with motorcycles (more on them in a bit), weather is one of the biggest additions to PGR 4's gameplay. Dense fog, ice and snow, and, of course, lots and lots of rain are examples of the variety of weather conditions you find yourself driving through, and each affects your vehicle in a different way. The most successful weather implementation in the game is the rain effects.

Visually, it's stunning; rain droplets bounce off the hood of your car, or your windshield when driving in first person view, and they'll collect into pools of standing water that become a hydroplaning nightmare for your car or motorbike. In fact, pools of water strategically placed in the optimum braking zones are part and parcel of the tracks the Bizarre crew has carved from real-life locales such as Tokyo, Shanghai,Canada and New York City. Find a way to brake early, or deal with the consequences of slamming your car into a wall after surfing across the water. The water effects in PGR 4 are entirely convincing, while the snow and ice effects are slightly less so--only in a video game would you attempt a lap of the ice-laden Nürburgring in an Enzo Ferrari and make it across the finish line in one piece--and typically pose a serious challenge for your throttle control skills.

While the game's weather effects are often simlike, PGR 4's car handling still treads the fine line between arcade approachability and simulation depth. You can hop into a car right away in the game and begin turning laps without fear of spinning out or locking your brakes in a tight turn. It also helps that the car list is more varied than the "all exotics, all the time" roster of PGR 3. This time around, the list has opened up a bit more to include everything from the pokey Mini Cooper S to F1 replicas and even a pick-up truck. Certainly at the highest classification, PGR 4's car list is as exotic as it comes; it's nice, however, that the roster includes a more representative sample of low-end models this time around. As in the past, the game doesn't feature vehicular damage beyond the merely cosmetic.

Then there are the motorcycles, which make their series debut here. As with the car list, the two-wheeled choices include everything from the relatively modest Buell RR 1200 to the frighteningly powerful MV Augusta F4 Senna. When it comes to handling, the motorcycles in PGR 4 have their ups and downs. Bikes are extremely easy to drive--there's no split between front and rear brakes to worry about--and it's tougher than you might think to get yourself thrown from the saddle. Toss in the fact that bikes are extremely quick off the starting line (due to their power/weight ratio) and that kudos--the in-game currency you earn as a result of stylish driving in the PGR series--are typically easier to rack up on a bike than in a car (thanks to endos, wheelies, and a responsive drift model), and motorcycles seem almost overpowered.

True, the fastest cars in the game will typically be quicker than the bikes but, in our experience, if you can grab an early lead in PGR 4 on two wheels and can maintain some consistency in your laps, you'll be awfully tough to beat. Bikes have their control quirks; for instance, when coming out of a turn, you'll want to let go of the analog stick in order to bring yourself back up smoothly, as manually bringing your rider upright can result in serious overcorrection errors. But for the most part bikes aren't much of a challenge and, as a result, aren't really as fun as we were hoping.

Regardless of your vehicular predilection, you will have plenty of road to drive on in this game. In addition to earning medals for beating challenges in the arcade mode or turning laps in the time attack mode, you'll have plenty to do in Gotham career, the anchor of the single-player mode. The goal here is to become the number one driver in the world by progressing through championships and invitational events strewn throughout the PGR world. The events are based around a calendar, so you'll have access to only a handful of races at any given time.

These races are comprised of a variety of the challenges--including hot lap, cone challenges, eliminator, gate challenges, kudos vs. time, and standard street races. Kudos determine your overall position within a particular challenge; in addition to earning a bonus for finishing well within a race, any additional kudos you earn are added to your overall score. At the end of a championship series, you're awarded championship points based on your result and move up the ladder accordingly. In addition, you can buy items such as new tracks and cars, and even a custom Xbox Live gamer picture, with the kudos you've earned in races.

On the default difficulty level, we were able to win the Gotham career mode in just over three calendar years (or between 10 and 15 hours in real time); at the hardcore level--where the competition is significantly tougher--it will likely take a good deal longer. In addition to standard championship events, you can also try out the occasional invitational, optional race challenges based around a single vehicle; win the challenge, and you'll add that vehicle to your ever-growing garages. Interestingly, the cars available to you for certain events can vary in total performance--and there's really no reason other than personal preference for you not to choose the most powerful vehicle available to for an event.

While zipping your way through career mode won't take that long, the game's online play is just as compelling as in the past. You can race in single and team events through a variety of race types such as elimination, street race, cat and mouse, and the new bulldog mode. In our experience, online performance was slick and mostly lag-free, with the game's frame rate dipping only in the sharpest of corners with multiple vehicles piling up. While you're online you can even check out the new PGR On Demand service, which lets you upload photos and race replays for others to watch and rate. With some simple paint tools, you can even customize your cars a bit. It's not nearly as extensive as the customization options in a game like Forza 2, but at least it gives you the chance to give your online ride a unique flair.

Beyond being a fun racing series, the PGR series has come to be known as a standard-bearer for visual style, and that continues in spades in Project Gotham Racing 4. New locales such as Shanghai, Macau, and Quebec are all lovingly reproduced in the game. Blast your way down a neon-soaked night track in Shanghai with the Oriental Pearl Tower looming in the background, and you'll be hard-pressed to think of a game that has done as much with urban landscapes as Project Gotham Racing 4. That level of visual quality doesn't come at the expense of performance, either; again, for the most part, the game runs at a rock-steady frame rate. Certainly, it's one of the most impressive-looking games of the year on the Xbox 360. The soundtrack for this game is just as varied as PGR 3, featuring a healthy heaping of world, rock, hip hop, jazz, and classical tunes, though the quality of the individual tracks doesn't seem to be as strong as in the previous game. However, the only music gearheads will care about is the roar of the engines, and thankfully PGR 4 delivers here as well, with a huge variety of authentic-sounding engine sounds that change in tone and quality depending on the driving viewpoint you prefer.

With such an intense level of focus trained on the weather effects in PGR 4, it makes you wonder what the team at Bizarre Creations could do if they threw their hat into the simulation ring and took on the Forzas and Gran Turismos of the world at their own game. Still, that doesn't take away from what Project Gotham Racing 4 is: a worthy successor to the previous games in the series and a game that will create entirely new calluses on the hands of racing fans.


GAME SPOT RATING:8.5

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

ANALOGIES...VOL 1 QUESTIONS

1). TIRE : RUBBER::

A). fork : metal
B). tree : wood
C). glass : silica
D). candle : wax
E). pottery : clay

2). NEEDLE:KNIT::

A). loom:weave
B). soap:wash
C). bed:sleep
D). bait:fish
E): match:fire

3). DEPART:ABSCOND::

A). store : secrete
B). close : occlude
C). speak : harangue
D). intervene : interfere
E). cover : eclipse

4). CURTAIN:STAGE::

A). lid : pan
B). veil : face
C). tarpaulin : car
D). hair : head
E). satchel : book

5). HACKNEYED : ORIGINAL

A). mature:juvenile
B). trite:morbid
C). withdrawn: reserved
D). evasive: elusive
E). derivative: traditional

6). ALARM:TRIGGER::

A). prison:escape
B). tunnel:dig
C). criminal:corner
D). fright:allay
E). trap:spring

7). ALCOVE: RECESS::

A). turret:chimney
B). dome:roof
C). column:entrance
D). foyer:ballroom
E). foundation:building

8). REDOUBTABLE: AWE::

A). tart: pungency
B). tacit: solitude
C). despicable: contempt
D). engrossing: obliviousness
E). venerable: renown

9). SKIRMISH: INSIGNIFICANCE::

A). revolution: democracy
B). duel: formality
C). feud: impartiality
D). bout: sparring
E). crusade: remoteness

10). PLUCK: QUIT::

A). verve:flinch
B). gall:skimp
C). pride:grovel
D). charm:smile
E). poise:waver

TRY FOR THE CORRECT ANSWERS ..THE CORRECT ANSWERS WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW

Saturday, April 5, 2008

GRE WORDLIST..MEMORISE IT EASILY

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