IRDAI Assistant Manager English Language Syllabus

What is a preposition? Give two examples.

A word that shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word in the sentence, usually indicating position, direction, or time, e.g., 'in', 'on', 'at', 'between'.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A word, phrase, or clause placed too far from the word it describes, causing confusion (e.g., 'She almost drove the kids to school every day').

What is a dangling modifier?

A modifier (often an introductory phrase) whose intended subject is missing from the sentence (e.g., 'Walking home, the rain started').

What does the grammatical principle of 'parallelism' require?

That elements in a series or comparison share the same grammatical form (e.g., 'reading, writing, and speaking', not 'reading, writing, and to speak').

What is 'phrase replacement' / 'sentence improvement' in tests?

Choosing the option that best replaces an underlined part of a sentence to make it grammatically correct and well-expressed, or marking 'no improvement' if it is already correct.

What is a 'cloze test'?

A passage with several blanks where the test-taker selects the most appropriate word for each blank based on grammar, meaning, and context.

What is a 'double filler' question in a cloze/fill-in-the-blank test?

A single blank or sentence requiring two words to be filled, and the correct option must supply both words that fit grammatically and contextually.

What is a 'para jumble' (sentence rearrangement) question?

A set of jumbled sentences that must be reordered to form a coherent, logically sequenced paragraph.

What is the usual first step to solve a para jumble?

Identify the opening sentence (one that introduces the topic and does not depend on a previous sentence), then use connectors/pronouns/time order to link the rest.

What is the function of sentence connectors (linking words)? Give examples.

They join ideas and show logical relationships such as addition (moreover), contrast (however), cause (therefore), and sequence (then).

What does 'coherence' mean in writing?

The logical, smooth flow and connection of ideas so that the text reads as a unified, easy-to-follow whole.

What is the difference between coherence and cohesion in a paragraph?

Coherence is the logical organization and clarity of ideas; cohesion is the grammatical/lexical linking (connectors, pronouns, repetition) that ties sentences together.

What is an idiom? Give an example.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of its words, e.g., 'to spill the beans' means to reveal a secret.

What is a phrasal verb? Give an example.

A verb combined with a preposition or adverb that creates a meaning different from the original verb, e.g., 'give up' means to quit.

What does the idiom 'a blessing in disguise' mean?

Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but results in something good.

What does the phrasal verb 'call off' mean?

To cancel something, e.g., 'They called off the meeting.'

What is the basic structure of a formal essay?

An introduction (states the topic/thesis), a body (paragraphs developing arguments with evidence), and a conclusion (summarizes and gives a closing thought).

What is a thesis statement in an essay?

A concise sentence, usually at the end of the introduction, that states the main argument or position the essay will develop.

What is a precis?

A clear, concise summary of a passage in the writer's own words, retaining the essential ideas and usually reduced to about one-third of the original length.

State two key rules for writing a good precis.

It should be written in the third person and past tense, contain only the main ideas (no examples or repetition), and never include the reader's own opinions.

How is a precis usually different from a summary?

A precis is strictly about one-third the original length and follows fixed rules (third person, own words, title); a summary is a more flexible, condensed restatement of main points.

What two main components are typically required when writing a passage summary?

Identifying the main idea/theme and the key supporting points, then restating them briefly and accurately in your own words without minor details.

What are the essential parts of a formal letter?

Sender's address and date, receiver's address/designation, salutation, subject line, body, complimentary close, and signature/name.

What salutation and closing are appropriate for a formal letter to an unnamed official?

Salutation 'Dear Sir/Madam' and closing 'Yours faithfully'; if the name is known, use 'Dear Mr./Ms. X' with 'Yours sincerely'.

What are the standard sections of a formal report?

Title/heading, introduction or background, body with findings (often headed/pointwise), and a conclusion or recommendations; reports are factual and impersonal.

Which voice and person are generally preferred in formal reports?

The passive voice and an impersonal third-person style, to keep the tone objective and factual.

Identify and correct the error: 'One of the students have failed.'

Error in subject-verb agreement; the subject is 'One', so it should be 'One of the students has failed.'

Fill in the correct preposition: 'He is good ___ mathematics.'

'at' — 'He is good at mathematics.'

Choose the correct word usage: 'The policy will (affect/effect) your premium.'

'affect' — as a verb meaning to influence. ('Effect' as a noun means result; as a verb it means to bring about.)

What does the idiom 'to make ends meet' mean?

To earn just enough money to cover one's basic expenses or living costs.