IBPS PO / SBI PO English Language Syllabus

In Active-Passive transformation, how is a present continuous sentence converted to passive?

Use 'is/am/are + being + past participle'. e.g., 'He is reading a book' becomes 'A book is being read by him.'

In Direct-Indirect speech, how do the tenses change when the reporting verb is in the past tense?

They shift back one step: present simple to past simple, present continuous to past continuous, present perfect/past simple to past perfect, will to would, can to could, may to might.

In Direct-Indirect speech, how are time and place words like 'now', 'today', 'here', and 'this' changed?

now to then, today to that day, tomorrow to the next day, yesterday to the previous day, here to there, this to that, these to those, ago to before.

In Direct-Indirect speech, how is an imperative (command/request) reported?

Use 'told/ordered/requested/advised' + object + 'to + verb'. The infinitive replaces the imperative. e.g., He said, 'Open the door' becomes 'He ordered me to open the door.'

In Direct-Indirect speech, how is a question (interrogative) reported?

Use 'asked/enquired'; remove the question mark and use statement word order. Yes/No questions use 'if/whether'; Wh-questions retain the wh-word. e.g., 'Where do you live?' becomes 'He asked where I lived.'

What is the systematic approach to solving a Para Jumble (rearranging sentences)?

1) Find the opening sentence (independent, introduces the topic). 2) Find the concluding sentence. 3) Link sentences using pronouns, articles (a vs the), connectors, and chronological/logical order to form mandatory pairs.

In Para Jumbles, why does a sentence beginning with 'It', 'This', 'They', or 'However' usually NOT come first?

These words refer back to something already mentioned, so they need a preceding sentence. The opening sentence should introduce a noun/idea independently, not refer to one.

What is a Cloze Test and what skills does it primarily test?

A Cloze Test is a passage with several blanks to be filled from given options. It tests vocabulary, grammar, collocations, and contextual/logical understanding of how words fit the overall meaning.

In a Cloze Test, what is the recommended order of solving the blanks?

First read the entire passage for the central theme. Then fill the easiest/most obvious blanks first to establish context, and use the established context plus grammar and collocations to solve the harder blanks.

In Fillers/Sentence Connectors, what relationship do 'although', 'though', 'even though', 'despite', and 'in spite of' express?

Contrast/concession. Note: 'although/though/even though' are followed by a clause (subject + verb), while 'despite/in spite of' are followed by a noun or gerund.

In Sentence Connectors, which words signal cause-and-effect (reason and result)?

Reason: because, since, as, due to, owing to. Result: therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so, as a result.

In Double Fillers, what is the strategy for picking the correct pair of words?

Both words in the pair must fit grammatically and contextually. Eliminate any option where even one word does not fit; check meaning, tense, and collocation for both blanks together.

What is the difference in usage between 'beside' and 'besides'?

'Beside' (preposition) means next to / by the side of. 'Besides' means in addition to / moreover. e.g., 'Sit beside me'; 'Besides English, she knows French.'

What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect' in word usage?

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence ('Rain affects crops'). 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning a result ('The effect was severe'); as a verb it means to bring about ('to effect change').

What is the difference between 'principal' and 'principle'?

'Principal' = chief/main, or the head of a school, or the original sum of money. 'Principle' = a fundamental rule, law, or moral belief.

What is the difference between 'stationary' and 'stationery'?

'Stationary' (with 'a') means not moving / fixed. 'Stationery' (with 'e') means writing materials such as paper and pens.

What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less'?

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (fewer mistakes, fewer people). 'Less' is used with uncountable nouns (less water, less time).

In Sentence Completion, what is the key technique for filling a blank correctly?

Identify the logic and tone of the sentence and look for signal words (but, because, therefore, although) that indicate whether the blank continues, contrasts, or concludes the idea, then choose the option that maintains coherence.

In Paragraph Completion, where does the missing sentence usually belong and how do you verify it?

It is usually the concluding or transitional sentence that ties the paragraph together. Verify by checking that it logically follows the previous sentence's idea and matches the overall tone and theme without introducing a new topic.

What is the standard three-part structure of an essay?

Introduction (states the topic and thesis), Body (several paragraphs each developing one main point with examples/evidence), and Conclusion (summarises and restates the thesis without adding new ideas).

In Essay Writing, what is a thesis statement and where is it placed?

A thesis statement is a single sentence expressing the central argument or main idea of the essay. It is placed at the end of the introductory paragraph and guides the entire essay.

What is the difference between a formal letter and an informal letter?

A formal letter uses formal language, a fixed structure (sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, body, complimentary close), and is for official purposes. An informal letter is written to friends/family in a casual tone with a relaxed format.

In a formal (business) letter, what are the correct salutation and complimentary close pairings?

If the name is unknown: 'Dear Sir/Madam' closes with 'Yours faithfully'. If the name is known: 'Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]' closes with 'Yours sincerely'.

What are the essential components in the format of a formal letter?

Sender's address, date, receiver's designation/address, subject line, salutation, body (introduction, main content, conclusion), complimentary close, and the sender's signature/name.

What is a precis and what is the standard rule for its length?

A precis is a concise summary of a passage capturing only its essential ideas in your own words. The standard length is about one-third of the original passage.

What are the key rules to follow when writing a precis?

Write in your own words and in the third person, use indirect speech, keep it in the past tense as appropriate, retain the original meaning and order of ideas, omit examples/illustrations/repetition, and give it a suitable title.

In precis writing, what should always be EXCLUDED from the summary?

Examples, illustrations, quotations, repetitions, rhetorical questions, the writer's personal comments/opinions, and unnecessary descriptive details.

In paragraph writing, what is a 'topic sentence' and what is its function?

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph, usually placed at the beginning. Every other sentence in the paragraph supports, explains, or develops this central idea, ensuring unity.

What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom' in usage?

'Who' is used as the subject of a verb (Who called you?). 'Whom' is used as the object of a verb or preposition (Whom did you call? To whom should I speak?).

What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's', commonly tested in error detection?

'Its' is a possessive pronoun meaning belonging to it (The dog wagged its tail). 'It's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has' (It's raining).