Contrast Markers

Contrast sentences connect ideas that are opposite to one another or are dissimilar to each other.

SAMPLE Although Scrooge was rich, he was quite

…………… . Here ‘although’ gives the blank the opposite

connotation of the clue ‘rich’. ‘Rich’ has a positive connotation and thus, the blank will have a negative connotation.

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE Richard was quite old but very active SAMPLE He studied hard yet failed the exam. SAMPLEHe went to the ball but he did not

dance.

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE He failed the exam but decided to ….. with his

studies. Here, ‘but’ is indeed affecting the blank because the

blank is positioned in one of the two phrases that are joined by ‘but’

SAMPLE He passed the exam with flying colors but decided

not to go ahead with his studies because he wanted to …………………. .

Here ‘but’ does not affect the blank because the blank is not positioned in one of the phrases joined by ‘but’.

Contrast Markers

Key words indicating a contrast in the ideas of the sentence include:

Although, but, despite, in spite of, however, as against, as opposed to, whereas, on the contrary, yet, on the other hand, on the one hand, surprisingly, unlike, in contrast, rather, even though, etc.

Examples of sentence structures used for contrast(A and B are ideas )

A although B

A yet B

A on the contrary B

On the one hand A

On the other B

A unlike B

A in contrast to B

Sample

In a large group of people consisting of strangers, Aishwarya often seemed …………… and aloof, although among her friends and family she was quite …………… .

a. reticent …convivial

b. gregarious…outgoing

c. detrimental…multifarious

d. unattainable…taciturn

e. dreary…placid

Explanation

The “although” tells us that this is a sentence that contains a contrast in its ideas, so the two parts of the sentence should contain opposite ideas. Since both the parts describe Aishwarya’s behavior, the two words should logically describe opposite behaviors. Hence the description of Aishwarya’s behavior in large group of people should be different from her behavior when she is with her friends and family.

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE Although he is an expert in conventional chemistry (+), he is

quite ….. about the field of organic chemistry (-). Here the concessional marker affects the blank because the

blank is positioned in the independent clause. SAMPLE Despite being quite ………(+), Sam was unable to lift the heavy

box (-). Here too, ‘despite’ affects the blank, because the blank is

positioned in the adverb clause. SAMPLE He was promoted despite his poor performance in the office

and this made him quite ….. . Here, ‘despite’ does not affect the blank because the blank is not

positioned in either the adverb clause or the independent clause.

Contrast Markers

Negatives like ‘no’, ‘not’, ‘rarely’, ‘barely’, ‘scarcely’ etc can also act as concessional markers.

SAMPLE He is no …… (-) , he is quite an

intelligent person (+).

Contrast Markers

Sometimes phrases can also act like concessional markers.

SAMPLE He surprised everyone by passing the test (+) since

everyone expected him to fail (-). It is difficult to reconcile his apparent kindness (+) with

the fact that he is a criminal(-). It is remarkable that a man who is so notorious for his

miserliness(-) donated a million dollars to a charity (+).

He is thought of as a scholar(+); on the contrary he is an ignorant fool!(-)

Contrast Markers

HOW TO USE CONCESSIONAL MARKERS TO SOLVE SENTENCE COMPLETIONS

These words that we have been discussing till now in this unit are called ‘markers’ because the mark off portions of the stimulus that are easy too identify and thus make solving the stimulus easier.

Contrast Markers

Look for these markers in stimuli. When you find them use the following strategy:

1. Identify the marker2. Identify the clue and its connotation. If the blank is in

the independent clause, the clue will be in the adverb clause and vice versa.

3. Begin the process of elimination by looking for the opposite connotation. Eliminate all words with a similar connotation to the clue.

4. Match against the clue if there are any remaining answer choices to obtain the answer.

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE As catastrophic as the disintegration (-) of

the Roman Empire must have seemed, that disaster nevertheless presented some--- (+)aspects.

A. formidable (+) but does not match with clue

B. avoidable (-) C. ambiguous (-) D. unbeneficial (-) E. constructive (+)

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE O’Leary tolerates (+) worms and snakes but is

……… (-)about insects; he has an exaggerated fear of them.

A. agnostic (-) does not match with clue B. eclectic (+) C. empirical (+) D. phobic (-) E. quixotic (-) does not match with clue

Contrast Markers

SAMPLE Tame Koalas Bears handled by tourists are ………….

(+), but wild Koalas are hard to control (-) and typically require two people to hold them down.

A. mischievous (-) B. gluttonous (-) C. supple (+) does not match with clue D. adroit (+) does not match with clue E. docile (+)

Contrast Markers

Sleep occurs …….., though one may receive clues signaling its ……….. several minutes before one falls asleep.

A. gradually….. AbruptnessB. erratically …. Solace C. temporarily ….. Length D. inevitably …… approach E. instantaneously …. Onset

Contrast Markers

Sleep occurs ……..(+), though one may receive clues signaling its ……….several minutes (-) before one falls asleep.

A. gradually (-)….. abruptness B. erratically (-)…. solace C. temporarily (-)….. length D. inevitably (+) does not match with clue …… approach E. instantaneously …. onset

Exercise 1

My cat is a creature of contradictions: …………..yet affectionate, ………… yet alert.

a. aloof…dreamy

b. cruel…shrewd

c. quiet…lively

d. selfish…nimble

e. loving…sly