IBPS PO English Language Syllabus

English Language syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English Language in IBPS PO, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Grammar

   3 topics

   • Parts of Speech
   • Tenses
   • Subject-Verb Agreement
2. 2

   Vocabulary

   2 topics

   • Synonyms and Antonyms
   • Idioms and Phrases
3. 3

   Comprehension

   2 topics

   • Reading Comprehension
   • Cloze Test

English Language flashcards for IBPS PO

18 of 50 cards from the English Language deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the eight parts of speech in English grammar?

   Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.

2. What is the function of a preposition, and how does it differ from a conjunction?

   A preposition shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word (e.g., on, in, between), usually indicating place, time, or direction. A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., and, but, because).

3. What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle, since both end in '-ing'?

   A gerund functions as a noun (e.g., 'Swimming is fun'), while a present participle functions as an adjective or forms continuous tenses (e.g., 'the swimming pool', 'she is swimming').

4. In IBPS PO English, what is a 'Word Swap' question and how is it solved?

   In a Word Swap question two words in a sentence are interchanged, making it grammatically/contextually wrong; the candidate must identify the pair that, when swapped back, makes the sentence meaningful and correct.

5. What is the difference between a determiner and an adjective?

   A determiner introduces a noun and specifies it (articles, demonstratives, quantifiers, possessives like 'the', 'this', 'some', 'my'), while an adjective describes the quality of a noun (e.g., 'red', 'tall'). Determiners come before adjectives.

6. What is 'Para Completion' as a question type in IBPS PO English?

   Para Completion gives a paragraph with the last (or a middle) sentence missing; the candidate must choose the option that best completes it logically, maintaining coherence, tone, and the flow of the paragraph's argument.

7. What is the key rule for solving a Para/Sentence Completion question?

   The completing sentence must continue the central idea, match the tone, and connect with the immediately preceding sentence's logic (cause/effect, contrast, conclusion) without introducing new, unsupported ideas.

8. What is a Precis, and what is the standard length rule for precis writing?

   A precis is a concise, clear summary of a passage in the writer's own words, capturing only the main ideas. The conventional rule is to reduce the passage to about one-third of its original length.

9. List three essential rules of precis writing.

   (1) It must be roughly one-third the original length; (2) write in your own words in the third person and past tense (indirect speech); (3) include only main ideas, omitting examples, repetitions, and details; and give it a suitable title.

10. What is the standard structure (format) of a descriptive essay for the IBPS PO Mains exam?

    Introduction (introduce the topic and thesis), Body (2-3 paragraphs developing arguments with examples), and Conclusion (summarize and give a balanced closing view). Word limit is typically around 250-300 words.

11. What are the two main types of letters tested in the IBPS PO Descriptive paper?

    Formal letters (business/official, e.g., to a bank manager or editor) and informal letters (personal, e.g., to a friend or family member).

12. What are the essential components of a formal letter?

    Sender's address, date, receiver's designation/address, salutation (Dear Sir/Madam), subject line, body (3 paragraphs: purpose, details, action expected), complimentary close (Yours faithfully/sincerely), and signature with name.

13. What complimentary close is used for a formal letter when you do not know the recipient's name versus when you do?

    Use 'Yours faithfully' when the salutation is 'Dear Sir/Madam' (name unknown), and 'Yours sincerely' when you address the person by name (e.g., 'Dear Mr. Sharma').

14. What is a phrasal verb, and how does it differ from a normal verb plus preposition?

    A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (adverb/preposition) whose meaning is idiomatic and different from the literal verb (e.g., 'give up' = quit). A simple verb + preposition keeps its literal meaning (e.g., 'sit on the chair').

15. What does the phrasal verb 'put off' mean?

    To postpone or delay something (e.g., 'They put off the meeting until Monday'). It can also mean to discourage or repel someone.

16. What does the phrasal verb 'call off' mean?

    To cancel something (e.g., 'The match was called off due to rain').

17. What does the phrasal verb 'look into' mean?

    To investigate or examine something (e.g., 'The police will look into the matter').

18. What does the phrasal verb 'bring about' mean?

    To cause something to happen (e.g., 'The reforms brought about major change').

See more English Language flashcards →

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English Language (IBPS PO) FAQ