IBPS SO English Language Flashcards

24 sample cards from the English Language deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. In Para Jumbles, how do pronouns and articles help establish sentence order?

   A noun is usually introduced first with 'a/an'; later references use 'the' or a pronoun (it, they, this, he). So a sentence with a pronoun/'the' referring to a noun must come AFTER the sentence that introduces that noun.

2. What is a 'Para Completion' question?

   A paragraph is given with the last (or a missing) sentence removed; you choose the option that best completes it by matching the tone, logical flow, and conclusion of the paragraph without introducing a new idea.

3. In connector-based sentence questions, what do contrast connectors signal? Give examples.

   Contrast connectors signal opposition between two ideas. Examples: but, however, yet, although, though, whereas, nevertheless, on the contrary, despite/in spite of.

4. Name connectors that signal cause-effect and those that signal addition.

   Cause-effect: because, since, as, therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so. Addition: and, moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition, also.

5. In 'Sentence Starters' questions, how do you choose the correct opening word/phrase for a given clause?

   Match the starter to the logical relationship and grammar of the clause — contrast starters (Although, Despite) for opposing ideas, cause starters (Since, Because) for reasons — ensuring the resulting sentence is complete and meaningful.

6. What is a 'Word Swap' / 'Word Usage' interchange question?

   Two (or more) words in a sentence are in the wrong positions and must be interchanged to make the sentence meaningful. The task is to identify which pair of words should swap places to correct the sense.

7. What is a 'triple-blank' filler question and the elimination strategy for it?

   A sentence with three blanks where one option set of three words must fit all. Strategy: scan each blank, eliminate any option set in which at least one of the three words is grammatically or contextually wrong; the surviving set is the answer.

8. Define synonym and antonym, and how 'context' affects choosing them in exams.

   A synonym is a word with the same/similar meaning; an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. In context-based questions, choose the synonym/antonym that fits the specific sense the word carries in that sentence, not just its dictionary meaning.

9. What does the idiom 'to bite the bullet' mean?

   To force oneself to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been avoiding; to face a hard situation bravely.

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

    Something that seems bad or unfortunate at first but results in a good outcome later.

11. What does the idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?

    To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.

12. What does the idiom 'to beat around the bush' mean?

    To avoid getting to the point; to talk about something indirectly without addressing the main issue.

13. What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?

    Very rarely; something that happens only on rare occasions.

14. What is a 'spelling error' question, and what is the typical task?

    Several words are given (often within a sentence or as options) and you must identify the incorrectly spelled word, or pick the correctly spelled one. It tests precise knowledge of standard English spellings.

15. Distinguish the commonly confused pairs: 'principal' vs 'principle' and 'stationary' vs 'stationery'.

    Principal = head of an institution / main (adj); principle = a rule or fundamental truth. Stationary = not moving; stationery = writing materials (paper, pens).

16. Distinguish 'affect' vs 'effect'.

    'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence ('The news affected her'); 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result ('The effect was huge'), and rarely a verb meaning to bring about ('to effect change').

17. What is the rule for 'fewer' vs 'less'?

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

18. What is the difference between 'each other' and 'one another'?

    Traditionally 'each other' is used for two people/things and 'one another' for more than two, e.g., 'The two friends helped each other' vs 'All the team members supported one another.'

19. In tense rules, what tense follows a past-tense main clause in indirect/reported speech?

    When the reporting verb is in the past, the reported clause shifts back one tense (backshift): present→past, present perfect/past→past perfect, will→would. E.g., 'She said she was tired.'

20. What is the rule for using 'a number of' versus 'the number of' with verbs?

    'A number of' + plural noun takes a PLURAL verb ('A number of students are absent'); 'The number of' takes a SINGULAR verb ('The number of students is rising').

21. What is a 'phrase replacement' option set typically structured around, and how do you eliminate wrong choices?

    It tests grammar (tense, agreement, prepositions), idiom/collocation, and conciseness. Eliminate options with grammatical errors, then those that distort meaning or are wordy/redundant, keeping the concise correct one.

22. What does the idiom 'to call it a day' mean?

    To stop working on something / decide that enough has been done for the present, especially to end the day's work.

23. What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's', a frequently tested error?

    'Its' is the possessive form (the dog wagged its tail); 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is' or 'it has' (it's raining = it is raining).

24. In Para Completion and connector sentences, why must the chosen option NOT introduce a new idea?

    Because the completing sentence must logically conclude or continue the paragraph's existing line of thought; introducing a fresh, unsupported idea breaks coherence and is the hallmark of a wrong option.

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