1. IBPS English Topicwise Breakup
2. IBPS English compared to other exams
3. Booklist for English Section
4. Non-Grammar part
   1. #1: Comprehension
   2. #2: Sentence Arrangement
   3. #3: Vocabulary
5. Grammar part
   1. Prepositions
   2. Phrasal Verbs
   3. Singular Plural related
   4. Grammar rules

IBPS English Topicwise breakup

We can classify English MCQs into two parts

Grammar	Non-Grammar
sentence correction	sentence arrangement
fill in the blanks	reading comprehension
	vocabulary (synonym antonyms)

let’s observe the breakup now

Type	Topic	2011	2012
Non-Grammar	Comprehension	5 passages with 1 question each.1 passage with 7 Qs1 passage with 8 Qs	Only one Passage that contains 15 questions, out of them 7 on vocabulary (synonym-antonyms)
		20	15
	SentenceArrangement	5	5
	Vocabulary	5 (separate individual questions on vocabulary)	0 (Vocabulary questions embedded within comprehension)
	Subtotal (Non-Grammar)	30	20
Grammar	Fill in the blanks(one questions with two plausible answers)	5	5
	Fill in the blanks (one paragraph with many blanks)	15	10
	Sentence Correction	0	16
	Subtotal (Grammar)	20	30
Total (Grammar+Non-Grammar)		50	50

Note: In 2013’s exam, there will be 40 marks from English MCQ section (instead of 50 in earlier exams).

IBPS English compared to other exams

1. Unlike SSC, this doesn’t have dedicated questions on idioms and phrases.
2. IBPS’s Vocabulary based questions are easier than the level asked in SSC-CGL and CDS exam.
3. Unlike SSC, there are no questions on spelling-correction, active-passive, direct-indirect speech.
4. In SSC and CAT, one sentence arrangement case is followed by one question only. Here in IBPS, one sentence arrangement case is followed by 5 questions.
5. In 2012’s paper, one extremely-lengthy passage is followed by 15 questions. Reminds me of the old CAT papers, they too used to give extremely lengthy passages- but only 5 questions on individual passage.
6. Like SSC CGL, you’re given a passage followed by 5-10 blanks.
7. In SSC-CGL, one fill in the blanks= has only one answer. Here you’ve to pick two answers for each blank.

Booklist for IBPS English Section

Any one book on IBPS/BankPO Paper sets(for practicing MCQs on English, Data Interpretation, Banking etc.)

Arihant’s paperset of previous Bank PO exams Kiran Prakashan’s Practice book workbook for IBPS PO/MT (with FREE CD for computer test) If you’ve paperset from any other publication, that’ll also work just fine.

Any one book on English grammar

for comprehension + sentence arrangement, you can rely on ^paperset+pagalguy.com for vocabulary, use “wordweb” software(free) But for sentence correct and fill in the blanks, you first need a clear grasp over grammar. Plenty of books in the market, use anyone, even second hand used book also works just fine. Example Objective general English by SP Bakshi (Arihant Publication) Compulsory English for Civil and Judicial Service by AP Bhardwaj (TMH Publication)

Non-Grammar part

#1: Comprehension

Only one solution= “Practice.” Then Where to get truckload of practice? well there are many ways

1. Paperset by Arihant / Kiran Prakashan
2. Previous papers of Combined Defense Service (CDS) exam (available on official site of UPSC)
3. Last two years’ UPSC CSAT Aptitude Papers. (although difficulty level would go in a different direction, but they’re worth solving)

You should give yourself a target to solve 3-5-10 passages every day.

#2: Sentence Arrangement

Some tricks explained in this article:

http://www.pagalguy.com/news/solve-para-jumble-questions-using-chota-rajan-method-poriborton-strategy-other-easy-tricks-a-8782987

Again, only one solution= “Practice.” Then Where to get truckload of practice?

1. PO Paperset of Arihant/ Kiran Prakashan
2. Previous papers of CDS
3. In Pagalguy.com forum you’ll find a dedicated thread for sentence arrangement (parajumble) questions. Follow it. click me

Sample Question from 2011’s Paper

Instructions: Rearrange the following seven sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F) and (G) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.

1. To elaborate briefly on these characteristics and dimensions that the author is talking about —NRMs are general tests intended to be used to classify students by percentile for measuring either aptitude or proficiency for admissions into or placement within a programme.
2. Contrastingly, the CRM, such as a locally produced achievement test, measures absolute performance that is compared only with the learning objective, hence a perfect score is theoretically obtainable by all students who have a mastery of the pre- specified material, or conversely, all students may fail the test.
3. In most of these books, the authors classify a measurement strategy as either norm-referenced (NRM) or criterion-referenced (CRM).
4. Another author points out how the type of interpretation that an NRM offers is the relative performance of the students compared with that of all the others resulting in, ideally, a bell curve distribution.
5. Numerous books on constructing and using language tests have been written by various authors.
6. CRMs, on the other hand, are more specific achievement or diagnostic tests intended to be used for motivating students by measuring to what per cent they have achieved mastery of the taught or learned material.
7. One of the authors clearly delineates the differences of these two types by focusing on the categories of “test characteristics” and “logistical dimensions”.

Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

1) G 2)B 3)C 4)D 5)E

Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?

1) A 2)B 3)C 4) F 5)E

Which of the following should be the SEVENTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement?

1) A 2)B 3)C 4) D 5) E

Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

1) A 2)B 3)G 4) D 5) E

Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

1) A 2) B 3) C 4)D 5) F

#3: Vocabulary

• Synonym, antonym questions are usually based on the comprehension passage. (except 2011’s paper) Hence it doesn’t pose as big challenge as ‘absolute’ vocabulary questions asked in SSC/CDS.
• But you must be clear about the usage of certain confusing words. Because they might indirectly come in the sentence correct / fill in the blanks. For example:

CONFUSING WORD	WRONG	RIGHT
Advice=as an object you give it to somebody. Advise=as verb, the ‘activity’ of giving advice.	Doctor adviced him to avoid desi-liquor.	Doctor advised him to avoid desi-liquor.
	I don’t need your advise.	I don’t need your advice.
Allude=hint Elude=evade	During interrogation, Shiva eluded to the previous crimes of Asaram.	During interrogation, Shiva alluded to the previous crimes of Asaram.
	Asaram alluded police-summons for many days.	Asaram eluded police-summons for many days.
Appraise=Evaluate Apprise=inform	Bank Managers apprise their POs against the number of mutual fund policies sold.	Bank Managers appraise their POs against the number of mutual fund policies sold.
	Bank Managers appraise their POs about the number of mutual fund policies to be sold.	Bank Managers apprise their POs about the number of mutual fund policies to be sold.
Stationary=not move, stand still. Stationery=pen,pencil etc.	Kasab ordered the hostages to remain stationery	Kasab ordered the hostages to remain stationary
	Flipkart offers great discounts on stationary products.	Flipkart offers great discounts on stationery products.
it’s=it is its=possessive of it	Its so hard to find work in Bollywood.	It’s so hard to find work in Bollywood.
	A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get it’s pants on.	A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

• Whenever you solve comprehension passages at home or read any English book/newspaper/web-article, you should note down any unfamiliar words in a separate diary.
• Download and Install a free software called Wordweb (http://wordweb.info/free/)
• Look up the meaning of those words in wordweb software, note down the meanings in the same diary.
• Revise this diary once in a while. Don’t stop this exercise after the exam is over. Continue it, until you’re selected in your dream job.

Sample Vocabulary Questions from 2011’s Exam

Instructions: Below is given a single word with its meaning in different contexts as options. You haveto select all those options which are synonyms of the word when the context is changed. Select the correct alternative from 1), 2), 3), 4) and 5) which represents all those synonyms.

LABOUR (A) expedite(B) to move faster(C) controlled (D)toil Only (D) Both (A) and (C) Only (B), (C) and (D) Only (A), (C) and (D) All (A),(B), (C) and (D) ALONE: (A) exclusively(B) morose(C) solitary (D) human being Only (A) Both (A) and (C) Both (B) and (C) Only (A), (C) and (D) All (A),(B), (C) and (D)

MEAN (A) imply (B) understand(C) average(D)characterized by malice Only(C) Both (A) and .(D) Only (A), (C) and (D) Only (A), (B) and(D) All (A), (B), (C) and (D) REGULAR: (A) present(B) common(C) indiscriminate  (D) uniform Only(D) Both (B) and (D) Both (A) and (C) Only (B), (C) and (D) All (A), (B), (C) and (D)

Grammar part

In grammar, they ask two types of questions

1. sentence correction
2. Fill in the blanks.

In IBPS-2012, we can see that 30 out 50 English questions were from grammar part only. English grammar is made up of many rules and caveats, but from competitive exam point of view, you don’t need to cover everything. Focus on following areas first:

Prepositions

Often, the sentence correction / Fill in the blanks questions will test your understanding of prepositions. For example

WRONG	RIGHT
What is the time in your watch?	What is the time by your watch?
We traveled in train.	We traveled by train.
He was trembling in rage.	He was trembling with rage.
There was an interesting show in TV.	There was an interesting show on TV

So you must be clear about the usage of prepositions from your grammar book / via internet.

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs do not always follow the rules of preposition.Example

phrasal verb	right use	wrong use
look down on=consider inferior	Most parents look down on the government schools.	Most parents looks down upon the government schools.
come down with=become sick	My brother came down with typhoid last week.	My brother came down from typhoid last week.

So, mugup the list of common phrasal verbs + examples, from your grammar book / via internet.

Singular Plural related

This is another favorite area for sentence correction and fill in the blanks.

WRONG	RIGHT
I like these kind of flowers	I like these kinds of flowers
None of the factors are relevant	None of the factors is relevant.
A list of contributing factors are being complied.	A list of contributing factors is being complied.
Once I’ve formatted this harddisk, I’ve five more PC to repair.	Once I’ve formatted this harddisk, I’ve five more PCs to repair.
He has two sister-in-laws	He has two sisters-in-law.
I made five cup of teas	I made five cups of tea.
A box of illegal drugs were found in his car.	A box of illegal drugs was found in his car.

Similar rules are scattered in the topics of adjectives, pronouns, noun, subject-verb agreement etc. Hence you’ve to study the grammar rules.

Grammar rules

• From your grammar books, Study the grammar rules of noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, conjugation, articles, active-passive, direct-indirect, parallelism, embedded question, with examples for sentence correction.
• Finally solve maximum number of questions from old question papers for BankPO, CDS, SSC, LIC etc. If you come across any unique rule/case for sentence correction, note it in your diary for future reference.

Sample Q. Sentence correction from IBPS-2012

Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is No error’, the answer is ‘5’. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

1	2	3	4	5
The Government has asked individuals	with income of over 10 lakhs to	electronic file tax returns for the year 2011-12,	something which was optional till last year	No error
The power tariff had already	been increased twice in	the last 15 months and the Electricity Board had also	levied additional monthly charges to consumers.	No Error
Despite of curfew	in some areas, minor	communal incidents were reported	from different areas of the walled city.	No Error
This comes	at a time	when fund allocation	is been doubled.	No Error
As the prison will get	an official telephone facility soon, the prisoners	won’t have to make calls in discreet manner	through smuggled mobile phones.	No Error
The area was plunged into	darkness mid a wave of	cheering and shouting	slogans like ‘Save The Earth’.	No Error
The poll contestants approached	the commission complaining that the hoardings	violated the code of conduct	and influenced public perception.	No Error
The country has	adequate laws but problems	arise when these are not	implemented in letter and spirit.	No Error
The Management feels that	the employees of the organisation are	non-productive, and do not want	to work hard.	No Error
As far the issue of land encroachment	in villages is concerned, people will	have to make a start from their villages by	sensitising and educating the villagers about this issue.	No Error

Sample Q. Fill in the Blanks from previous IBPS

1. ____ before the clock struck 8 on Saturday night, India Gate was swamped with people wearing black tee-shirts and holding candles. (A) Minutes(B) Time(C) Later(D) Quickly(E) Since(F) Seconds
   1. (B) and (E)
   2. (A) and (C)
   3. (A) and (F)
   4. (B) and (D)
   5. (C) and (E)
2. The States should take steps to _____ the process of teachers` appointments as the Centre has already sanctioned six lakh posts. (A) fasten(B) move(C) hasten(D) speed(E) early(F) quicken
   1. (D) and (F)
   2. (A) and (C)
   3. (C) and (F)
   4. (D) and (E)
   5. (B) and (D)
3. A senior citizen’s son ____ threatened her every day and physically harmed her, forcing her to transfer her property to him. (A) superficially (B) mistakenly (C) allegedly (D) miserably (E) doubtfully (F) purportedly
   1. (C) and (F)
   2. (A) and (E)
   3. (C) and (E)
   4. (D) and (F)
   5. (A) and (C)
4. Medical teachers said that the management had continued to remain ____ to their cause leading to the stretching of their strike. (A) unmoved (B) lethargic (C) unconcerned (D) apathetic (E) indifferent (F) bored
   1. (B) and (C)
   2. (C) and (F)
   3. (A) and (E)
   4. (A) and (D)
   5. (D) and (E)
5. The parents had approached the high court to ____ the government order after their children, who passed UKG, were denied admission by a school. (A) void(B) quash(C) annul(D) stay(E) lift(F) post
   1. (A) and (D)
   2. (B) and (C)
   3. (C) and (E)
   4. (E) and (F)
   5. (C) and (D)

For more on IBPS PO/CWE related articles and study plans, visit Mrunal.org/IBPS