IBPS RRB 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 RRB, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Reading Comprehension

   3 topics

   • Passage-based Comprehension
     • Inference and tone questions
     • Central idea and title
   • Vocabulary in Context (Synonyms/Antonyms)
   • Economy and Banking Themed Passages
2. 2

   Grammar and Error Detection

   4 topics

   • Spotting Errors
     • Subject-verb agreement
     • Tense and preposition errors
     • Articles and modifiers
   • Sentence Improvement and Correction
   • Phrase Replacement
   • Fillers (single and double blanks)
3. 3

   Verbal Ability

   5 topics

   • Para Jumbles (Sentence Rearrangement)
   • Cloze Test
     • Conventional cloze
     • New pattern cloze
   • Sentence Connectors
   • Word Usage and Word Swap
   • Para Completion and Para Summary

English Language flashcards for IBPS RRB

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

1. In a passage-based Reading Comprehension question, what is the difference between an 'inference' question and a 'fact/detail' question?

   A fact/detail question's answer is stated directly in the passage; an inference question's answer is not stated but must be logically concluded from the information given.

2. When answering RC questions in IBPS RRB, what is the recommended order to attack the questions for speed?

   Attempt vocabulary (synonym/antonym) and direct fact-based questions first, then theme/main-idea questions, and leave inference and tone questions for last.

3. What does the 'main idea' (central theme) of a comprehension passage refer to?

   The single most important point the author wants to convey across the whole passage, not just one paragraph's detail.

4. In RC, what is meant by the 'tone' of a passage?

   The author's attitude or emotional stance toward the subject (e.g., critical, optimistic, sarcastic, neutral, analytical).

5. A synonym is the opposite/same in meaning to a given word?

   A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning; an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning.

6. What is the meaning of the word 'ameliorate' (common in RC vocabulary)?

   To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve.

7. What is the meaning of 'mitigate', frequently tested in vocabulary-in-context items?

   To make something less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen or reduce.

8. Give the antonym of 'frugal'.

   Extravagant (or lavish/wasteful).

9. What does the word 'austerity' mean, often appearing in economy-themed passages?

   Severe self-discipline or, in economics, government policy of reducing public spending to cut deficits.

10. In banking-themed passages, what does 'liquidity' mean?

    The ease with which an asset can be converted into cash without significant loss of value; availability of cash/funds.

11. What is 'inflation' as referenced in economy-themed comprehension passages?

    A sustained general rise in the price level of goods and services, reducing the purchasing power of money.

12. In economy passages, what is the difference between 'fiscal policy' and 'monetary policy'?

    Fiscal policy is the government's use of taxation and spending; monetary policy is the central bank's control of money supply and interest rates.

13. What does 'NPA' (Non-Performing Asset) mean in banking passages?

    A loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment has remained overdue for 90 days or more.

14. What does 'repo rate' mean in banking-themed reading passages?

    The rate at which the central bank (RBI) lends short-term funds to commercial banks against securities.

15. In Spotting Errors, what is the subject-verb agreement rule for 'either...or' / 'neither...nor'?

    The verb agrees with the subject nearest to it (the second/proximate subject).

16. In Spotting Errors, what verb form do collective nouns like 'team', 'jury', 'committee' take?

    Singular when acting as one unit; plural only when members act individually.

17. In Spotting Errors, which preposition follows 'comprise' correctly?

    None — 'comprise' takes no preposition (say 'comprises X', not 'comprised of X'). Use 'composed of' if a preposition is needed.

18. What is the agreement error with 'each', 'every', 'everyone', 'either', 'neither' as subjects?

    They are singular and always take a singular verb and singular pronoun.

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