IBPS SO 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 SO, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Reading Comprehension

   3 topics

   • Passage-based Comprehension
     • Central idea, tone and inference
     • Vocabulary in context (synonym / antonym)
   • Theme Detection and Author's Viewpoint
   • Critical Reasoning Based Passages
2. 2

   Grammar and Error Detection

   4 topics

   • Spotting Errors and Sentence Correction
   • Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses and Articles
   • Prepositions, Conjunctions and Modifiers
   • Phrase Replacement / Sentence Improvement
3. 3

   Verbal Ability and Coherence

   4 topics

   • Cloze Test (single and double blanks)
   • Para Jumbles and Sentence Rearrangement
   • Para Completion and Connector-based Sentences
   • Sentence Starters and Word Usage / Swap
4. 4

   Vocabulary

   3 topics

   • Fillers (single, double and triple blanks)
   • Synonyms, Antonyms and Idioms / Phrases
   • Word Replacement and Spelling Errors

English Language flashcards for IBPS SO

18 of 51 cards from the English Language deck — real questions with worked answers.

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

   A fact-based question asks for information stated directly in the passage; an inference question asks for a conclusion that logically follows but is NOT stated explicitly. Inference answers must be supported by the passage, not added knowledge.

2. What is the recommended strategy for solving long passage-based comprehension in banking exams under time pressure?

   First read the questions, then skim the passage to locate relevant lines, and answer detail questions before inference and vocabulary questions. Manage time by attempting fact-based questions first.

3. In an RC passage, how do you identify the 'central theme' or main idea?

   The central theme is the single dominant point the whole passage develops — usually found in the opening or closing lines and repeated throughout. It is broader than any one example but narrower than the general subject.

4. How do you determine the 'author's tone' in a passage, and name four common tone types tested.

   Tone is identified from the author's word choice and attitude. Common tones: critical, optimistic, sarcastic/ironic, analytical (also neutral, pessimistic, cynical, eulogistic).

5. What is the difference between the author's 'tone' and the author's 'viewpoint' in a passage?

   Tone is the emotional attitude/manner of writing (e.g., critical, hopeful); viewpoint (stance) is the author's actual opinion or position on the issue being discussed.

6. In Critical Reasoning passages, what is an 'assumption'?

   An assumption is an unstated premise the argument takes for granted and needs in order for its conclusion to hold true. Negating a true assumption breaks the argument.

7. In Critical Reasoning, what is the difference between a statement that 'strengthens' and one that 'weakens' an argument?

   A strengthener adds support that makes the conclusion more likely true; a weakener introduces information that makes the conclusion less likely or attacks the link between premise and conclusion.

8. In Critical Reasoning, what is a 'conclusion' versus a 'premise'?

   A premise is the evidence or reason given; the conclusion is the main claim the premises are meant to support. The conclusion is what the author wants you to accept.

9. What does the 'Subject-Verb Agreement' rule state for a singular subject joined to others by 'with', 'along with', 'as well as', or 'together with'?

   The verb agrees with the main subject only; the phrase after 'with/along with/as well as' is parenthetical and does not change the number. E.g., 'The manager, as well as his staff, is present.'

10. In Subject-Verb Agreement, what verb form do 'either...or' and 'neither...nor' take?

    The verb agrees with the subject nearest to it (proximity rule). E.g., 'Neither the players nor the coach is responsible' / 'Neither the coach nor the players are responsible.'

11. In Subject-Verb Agreement, how are collective nouns (team, jury, committee) treated?

    They take a singular verb when acting as one unit ('The team is winning') and a plural verb when members act individually ('The jury are divided in their opinions').

12. What verb number do 'each', 'every', 'either', 'neither', 'everyone', 'somebody' take?

    They are always singular and take a singular verb. E.g., 'Each of the boys is present', 'Everyone has arrived.'

13. State the form of the Present Perfect tense and when it is used.

    Form: has/have + past participle (V3). Used for actions completed at an unspecified past time with present relevance, or actions starting in the past and continuing till now (often with 'since/for').

14. What is the rule for using 'since' versus 'for' with the Present Perfect / Perfect Continuous tense?

    'Since' is used with a point of time (since 2010, since Monday); 'for' is used with a duration/period of time (for five years, for two hours).

15. When are the articles 'a' and 'an' used, and what determines the choice?

    'A/an' are indefinite articles used with singular countable nouns mentioned for the first time. Use 'a' before a consonant SOUND (a university, a one-rupee coin) and 'an' before a vowel SOUND (an hour, an MBA).

16. Give three cases where the definite article 'the' is required.

    (1) Unique things (the sun, the moon); (2) superlatives (the best, the highest); (3) specific/already-mentioned nouns, rivers, seas, mountain ranges, and names of newspapers.

17. What is the difference between 'between' and 'among' as prepositions?

    'Between' is used for two persons/things (or for distinct individual items even if more than two); 'among' is used for more than two when referring to a group as a whole. E.g., 'between you and me' vs 'among the students.'

18. What prepositions correctly follow: 'comply', 'differ', 'rely', and 'insist'?

    Comply WITH, differ FROM (a thing) / differ WITH (a person), rely ON/UPON, insist ON.

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