For bank exams (like IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI, etc.), RRB exams, and other competitive exams, the English section tests candidates on language skills, comprehension, and communication. Below is a list of general English topics commonly covered in these exams:
1. Reading Comprehension: Passages followed by questions on main ideas, vocabulary, inference, tone, and purpose.
2. Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, word meanings, and contextual usage.
3. Cloze Test: Fill-in-the-blanks with appropriate words in a passage.
4. Para Jumbles: Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
5. Sentence Improvement/Correction: Identifying errors or improving given sentences.
6. Spotting Errors: Finding grammatical, punctuation, or spelling mistakes in sentences.
7. Fill in the Blanks: Single or double blank questions testing grammar and vocabulary.
8. Sentence Completion: Completing sentences with appropriate phrases or words.
9. Idioms and Phrases: Understanding the meanings and usage of common idioms.
10. One-Word Substitution: Replacing a phrase with a single word.
11. Grammar:
- Tenses
- Subject-verb agreement
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Conjunctions
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect speech
12. Spelling: Identifying correctly/incorrectly spelt words.
13. Phrase Replacement: Replacing a phrase in a sentence with a better alternative.
14. Word Association/Pairing: Matching words or phrases based on meaning or context.
15. Sentence/Paragraph Completion: Completing a sentence or paragraph logically.
16. Descriptive Writing (for some exams like SBI PO):
- Essay writing
- Letter writing (formal/informal)
- Precis writing
17. Antonym-Synonym Pairs: Identifying opposite or similar meanings of words.
18. Odd One Out: Identifying the word or sentence that doesn’t fit in a group.
19. Reading and Summarising: Summarising a passage in a few sentences.
Tips for Preparation:
- Practice previous years’ question papers to understand the pattern.
- Read newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express) to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
- Use standard English grammar books like Wren & Martin or SP Bakshi.
- Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
