IBPS PO

Study Material For English

 CLOZE TEST
Read Thoroughly
 Read the passage provided very thoroughly to form an idea about the topic.
 Read slowly and gain an understanding of the text.
 Once the theme of the text is somewhat clear, your job becomes easier.
 You can then go on to think of the appropriate words that suit the situation being described
and proceed to filling in the blanks.

Link the Sentences Together

 Remember that it is a passage with sentences that are connected to each other.
 Do not make the mistake of treating each sentence like an individual one and filling in the
blanks accordingly.
 Try to come up with logical connections that link up the sentences together and your job will
automatically become easier.

The Type of Word to Fill in

 Now look at the blanks carefully and assess the kind of words you have to fill in.
 Which part of speech would it be? Would it be a noun, a pronoun, a verb, a preposition, a
conjunction or an article?

For example:

A noun – I forgot to carry my ______ to school. I therefore had to share with my friend.
The logical answer here would be a book or tiffin.

An article – He ate ______ papaya and threw________ seeds away.

Articles are usually the easiest to answer. Fill in ‘a’ and ‘an’ where talking about general facts and
‘the’ when using it before something specific.

Here, the answer is ‘the’ or ‘his’ in the first case and ‘the’ or ‘its’ in the second.

A verb – ________for half an hour left me breathless.

The idea of being breathless connotes something strenuous like ‘exercising’ or ‘running’. In this way,
think of the appropriate word to fill in.

Eliminate Options
 We can easily identify most unfit/illogical words in answer options.
 We should quickly eliminate these words. Only after that we should try to most fit word.
Elimination will enhance accuracy and hence score.
Go with Frequently Used Words

Sometimes, you may not be able to decide between two words. In this case, if you see a word in the
options that is frequently used with the words around the blank, then pick that option.

For example

Can I have a _______ word with you?

A. Swift
B. Quick
C. Prompt

You can see that the three options nearly mean the same thing. How do you decide which one fits the
blank?

Sometimes in English, some words are used more frequently with some others. Like ‘bad habit’,
‘hardly ever’, ‘happy ending’, ‘take a seat’, ‘make room’ etc. In the same way, the words ‘quick’ and
‘word’ are used together frequently. So ‘quick’ should be your answer in this case.

Check Tone of Passage

 The passage is usually written in a certain tone; sometimes narrative, sometimes critical,
sometimes humorous.
 Pick words that fit in with the tone of the passage.

For example:
Jonah _______ down the stairs, bumping along like a quarter in a tumbling dryer.

A. tumbled
B. fell
C. dropped

Clearly, you can use either ‘tumbled’ or ‘fell’ in this blank. But the rest of the sentence is written in a
humorous vein. So we try to maintain the tone of the sentence. This is best accomplished by the use
of the word ‘tumbled’ as it brings to mind images of people falling funnily.

Practice More
 In the end, there is no substitute for hard work and practice.
 Try to complete three to four passages each day while preparing and get an insight into your
problem areas.
 Work on them and go deliver your best
 Helpful Hints

#1 You must ensure that the word you have inserted in the blank enables you
to read the sentence smoothly and correctly

#2 Apply grammar rules (grammar rules – prepositions, noun, pronoun, adj, verb etc)

 Preposition following a noun, adjective or verb. (Example: look at images)

 A prepositional phrase. (Example: in spite of )
 An adverb. (Example: they vacated the house two years ago)
 A connector. (Example: it is raining, therefore ground is wet.)
 A conjunction. (Example: although he is seven, he can speak eight languages)
 A auxiliary verb, an article, a pronoun , either subject or object. (example : it is
easier to know)
 A comparative or superlative involved? (Example: she’s taller than me)

Previous Year Questions

Practice Set 1
Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These
numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested,one of which
fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Actually every day we all are engaged in this business of reading people. We do it (__1__). We want to
figure others out. So, we (__2__) make guesses about what others think, value, want and feel and we
do so based on our (__3__) beliefs and understandings about human nature. We do so because if we
can figure out (__4__) and intentions of others the possibility of them (__5__) or hurting us, (__6__)
and this will help us to (__7__) a lot of unnecessary pain and trouble. We also make second guesses
about what they will do in future, how they will (__8__) if we make this or that response. We do all
this second guessing based upon our (__9__) of what we believe about the persons inner nature
__10__) his or her roles and, manners. We mind read their fill (__11__) their motives. Also, every day
we mis-guess and misread. Why? Because of the complexity, (__12__), and multidimensional
functioning of people. After all how well do you read your own thoughts, aims, values, motives, beliefs
etc.? How well do you know your own structuring process your own thinking and (__13__) styles?
Question1 Question2 Question3
a) vehemently a) ably a) futuristic
b) practically b) constantly b) proactive
c) actually c) partly c) reactive
d) incessantly d) largely d) decorative
e) virtually e) positively e) assumptive

Question4. Question 5 Question 6

a) manifestations a) tricking a) lessens
b) expressions b) blaming b) happens
c) motives c) furthering c) questions
d) hopes d) alarming d) deepens
e) prospects e) criticizing e) laments

Question7 Question 8 Question 9

a) approach a) solve a) projection
b) direct b) apply b) exhibition
c) avoid c) plan c) situation
d) implement d) approach d) perception
e) prepare e) react e) attribution

Question10 Question11 Question12

a) organizing a) cunning a) abnormality
b) underneath b) visible b) angularity
c) appreciating c) deeper c) focus
d) proposing d) obvious d) unpredictability
e) outside e) proposed e) contribution
 Question13
a) proposing
b) developing
c) upbringing
d) lamenting
e) emoting

Correct Answer: 1 – d; 2 – b; 3 – e; 4 – c; 5 – b; 6 – a; 7 – c; 8 – e; 9 – d; 10 – a; 11 – c; 12 – d; 13 - e

Practice Set II

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Against
each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case.

After ten years of (__14__) inflation, prices have spiked 7.5% in the third week of July. This looks scary
after all, Indians had got used to prices crawling up by 2% in the last two years, and a 10y ear average
inflation rate of about 5% but you shouldn’t worry. This burst of inflation is the result of three factors
that have come together unexpectedly, are unlikely to (__15__) for long and are unlikely to (__16__)
up together again. A (__17__) rise in global oil prices, a monsoon that arrived late and a spike in global
metal prices. North Sea crude has crossed $42 per barrel, driven up by low petroleum (__18__) and
soaring demand In the US as war production heats up. Oil markets are also spooked by the (__19__) of
Russian oil supplies falling on the back of the Yukos Sibneft probe. There’s little that the government
can do to (__20__) users from soaring oil prices indeed, it shouldn’t, if it wants to (__21__) efficiency.
Higher transport costs have pushed up rates of vegetables and fruits farm produce could also get
affected by rains that arrived too late for kharif sowing. China is (__22__) up steel and other metals
from all over the world to (__23__) a construction boom ahead of the 2008 Olympics, making metal
prices soar all over the world, and sparking inflation in India.

Question14 Question15 Question16

a) mere a) obstinate a) go
b) moderate b) constitute b) scramble
c) retarding c) persist c) mount
d) vehement d) repeat d) yield
e) dull e) normalize e) crop

Question17 Question18 Question19

a) sustained a) lists a) prospect
b) suspicious b) trades b) progress
 c) horrific c) services c) view
d) erratic d) inventories d) extent
e) favourable e) details e) deposit

Question20 Question21 Question22

a) support a) position a) hurrying
b) ignore b) promote b) passing
c) propel c) process c) pairing
d) prolong d) pass d) gobbling
e) Insulate e) form e) throwing

Question23
a) keep
b) make
c) feed
d) grow
e) fight

Correct Answer: 14 – b; 15 – c; 16 – e; 17 – c; 18 – b; 19 – a; 20 – e; 21 – b; 22 – d; 23 - b

Practice Set III

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Against
each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case.

Though much theory has (__24__) little is really known about the power that lies at the (__25__) of
scientific discoveries. It is true that great scientists and discoverers (__26__) discovery by employing
all the (__27__) of personality and by fusing feelings, reasons and (__28__) But, what is the (__29__)
synthesis that joins and (__30__) these complex parts into scientific invention? A famous scientist of
yesteryears had developed one of the (__31__) and still generally (__32__) answers to this question.
Imaginative (__33__) he concludes, is a complex process in which the conscious and the unconscious
thinking processes jointly operate.
Question24 Question25 Question26
a) gathered a) climax a) respect
b) amassed b) heart b) treat
c) collected c) foot c) like
d) especially d) link d) construct
e) accumulated e) helm e) appreciate

Question27 Question28 Question29

a) enlightenment a) intuitions a) scientific
b) control b) invention b) miraculous
c) exposure c) formation c) generally
d) variation d) outcomes d) reasoned
e) manifestations e) ambition e) linking

Question30 Question31 Question32

a) ravage a) most attractive a) suggested
b) merges b) simplest b) crucial
c) arranges c) unswerving c) satisfactory
d) deciphers d) best d) criticised
e) overstates e) original e) concourse

Question33
a) prognosis
b) talent
c) content
d) discoveries
e) invention
Correct Answer: 24 – b; 25 – b; 26 – c; 27 – a; 28 – e; 29 – a; 30 – b; 31 – d; 32 – c; 33 - d

Practice Set IV

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. against
each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case.

Most of us are (__34__) of open conflict and avoid it if we can. And there is a (__35__) to expressing
and working through conflict. If the working through involves harsh words and name-calling people
feel deeply hurt and relationships can be (__36__). Some- times permanently. Some group members
may be afraid that if they really (__37__) their anger, they may go out of control and become violent,
or they may do this. These fears can be very (__38__) and based on experience. So why take the risk?
Why not avoid conflict at all costs? Conflict is rather like disease (__39__) is best, that means attuning
to areas where (__40__) may occur before they become an issue. If you have, not (__41__) a conflict
happening, your next choice is to treat it early, or hope that it goes away. If it goes away over time fine.
If it (__42__), then you will still have to handle (treat) it and it is likely to be more (__43__).

Question34 Question35 Question36

a) scared a) challenge a) established

b) careful b) measure b) maligned
c) reckless c) principle c) damaged
d) aware d) chance d) rebuilt
e) worried e) risk e) involved

Question37 Question38 Question39

a) sublimate a) baseless a) cure

b) express b) imaginary b) diagnosis
c) minimize c) exaggerative c) prescription
d) regulate d) real d) prevention
e) control e) national e) medicine

Question40 Question41 Question42

a) harmony a) expressed a) doesn’t

b) discomfiture b) ignored b) wont
c) disagreement c) induced c) don’t
d) consensus d) seen d) not
e) statement e) perverted e) hasn’t

Question43

a) credible
b) serious
c) fraudulent
d) urgent
e) important

Correct Answer: 34 – a; 35 – e; - 36 – c; 37 – b; 38 – d; 39 – d; 40 – b; 41 – b; 42 – a; 43 - b