[Studyplan] IBPS CWE PO/MT: English, Grammar, Comprehension, Sentence

Arragenment
1. English Topicwise Breakup for IBPS PO/MT
2. IBPS English compared to other exams
3. Booklist for English Section
4. Non-Grammar part
1. #1: Comprehension
2. #2: Sentence Arrangement
3. #3: Vocabulary
5. Grammar part
1. Prepositions
2. Phrasal Verbs
3. Singular Plural related
4. Grammar rules

English for IBPS PO/MT

We can classify English MCQs into two parts
Grammar
sentence correction
fill in the blanks

Non-Grammar
sentence arrangement
reading comprehension
vocabulary (synonym antonyms)

lets observe the breakup now

Type

Topic
Comprehension

NonGrammar SentenceArrangement
Vocabulary
Subtotal (Non-Grammar)
Fill in the blanks(one
questions with two plausible
answers)
Fill in the blanks (one
Grammar
paragraph with many
blanks)
Sentence Correction
Subtotal (Grammar)
Total (Grammar+Non-Grammar)

2011
5 passages with 1
question each.1
passage with 7 Qs1
passage with 8 Qs
20
5
5 (separate individual
questions on
vocabulary)
30

2012
Only one Passage that
contains 15 questions, out of
them 7 on vocabulary
(synonym-antonyms)
15
5
0 (Vocabulary questions
embedded within
comprehension)
20

15

10

0
20
50

16
30
50

Note: In 2013s exam, there will be 40 marks from English MCQ section
(instead of 50 in earlier exams).
2

IBPS English compared to other exams

1. Unlike SSC, this doesnt have dedicated questions on idioms and
phrases.
2. IBPSs Vocabulary based questions are easier than the level asked
in SSC-CGL and CDS exam.
3. Unlike SSC, there are no questions on spelling-correction, activepassive, direct-indirect speech.
4. In SSC and CAT, one sentence arrangement case is followed by
one question only. Here in IBPS, one sentence arrangement case
is followed by 5 questions.
5. In 2012s paper, one extremely-lengthy passage is followed by 15
questions. Reminds me of the old CAT papers, they too used to
give extremely lengthy passages- but only 5 questions on
individual passage.
6. Like SSC CGL, youre given a passage followed by 5-10 blanks.
7. In SSC-CGL, one fill in the blanks= has only one answer. Here
youve to pick two answers for each blank.

Booklist for English Section of IBPS PO

1. Arihants paperset of previous Bank PO
exams
Any one book on IBPS/BankPO
Paper sets(for practicing MCQs
on English, Data Interpretation,
Banking etc.)

2. Kiran Prakashans Practice book workbook

for IBPS PO/MT (with FREE CD for computer
test)
3. If youve paperset from any other publication, thatll
also work just fine.

Any one book on English

grammar

for comprehension + sentence arrangement, you can

rely on ^paperset+pagalguy.com

for vocabulary, use wordweb software(free)

But for sentence correct and fill in the blanks, you

first need a clear grasp over grammar. Plenty of books
in the market, use anyone, even second hand used
book also works just fine. Example

1. Objective general English by SP Bakshi

(Arihant Publication)
2. Compulsory English for Civil and Judicial
Service by AP Bhardwaj (TMH Publication)

Non-Grammar part
#1: Comprehension
Only one solution= Practice. Then Where to get truckload of
practice? well there are many ways
1. Paperset by Arihant / Kiran Prakashan
2. Previous papers of Combined Defense Service (CDS) exam
(available on official site of UPSC)
3. Last two years UPSC CSAT Aptitude Papers. (although difficulty
level would go in a different direction, but theyre worth solving)
You should give yourself a target to solve 3-5-10 passages every day.

#2: Sentence Arrangement

Some tricks explained in this article:
http://www.pagalguy.com/news/solve-para-jumble-questions-usingchota-rajan-method-poriborton-strategy-other-easy-tricks-a-8782987
Again, only one solution= Practice. Then Where to get truckload of
practice?
1. PO Paperset of Arihant/ Kiran Prakashan
2. Previous papers of CDS
4

3. In Pagalguy.com forum youll find a dedicated thread for sentence

arrangement (parajumble) questions. Follow it. click me
Sample Question from 2011s Paper
Instructions: Rearrange the following seven sentences (A), (B), (C), (D),
(E), (F) and (G) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. To elaborate briefly on these characteristics and dimensions that
the author is talking about NRMs are general tests intended to
be used to classify students by percentile for measuring either
aptitude or proficiency for admissions into or placement within a
programme.
B. Contrastingly, the CRM, such as a locally produced achievement
test, measures absolute performance that is compared only with
the learning objective, hence a perfect score is theoretically
obtainable by all students who have a mastery of the prespecified material, or conversely, all students may fail the test.
C. In most of these books, the authors classify a measurement
strategy as either norm-referenced (NRM) or criterion-referenced
(CRM).
D. Another author points out how the type of interpretation that an
NRM offers is the relative performance of the students compared
with that of all the others resulting in, ideally, a bell curve
distribution.
E. Numerous books on constructing and using language tests have
been written by various authors.
F. CRMs, on the other hand, are more specific achievement or
diagnostic tests intended to be used for motivating students by
measuring to what per cent they have achieved mastery of the
taught or learned material.
G. One of the authors clearly delineates the differences of these two
types by focusing on the categories of test characteristics and
logistical dimensions.

Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after

rearrangement?
1) G 2)B 3)C 4)D 5)E
Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after
rearrangement?
1) A 2)B 3)C 4) F 5)E
Which of the following should be the SEVENTH (LAST) sentence
after rearrangement?
1) A 2)B 3)C 4) D 5) E
Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after
rearrangement?
1) A 2)B 3)G 4) D 5) E
Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after
rearrangement?
1) A 2) B 3) C 4)D 5) F

#3: Vocabulary
Synonym, antonym questions are usually based on the
comprehension passage. (except 2011s paper) Hence it doesnt
pose as big challenge as absolute vocabulary questions asked in
SSC/CDS.
But you must be clear about the usage of certain confusing
words. Because they might indirectly come in the sentence
correct / fill in the blanks. For example:
CONFUSING WORD
1. Advice=as an object you
give it to somebody.

WRONG
Doctor adviced him to
avoid desi-liquor.
I dont need your advise.

2. Advise=as verb, the

RIGHT
Doctor advised him to
avoid desi-liquor.
I dont need your advice.

activity of giving advice.

1

Allude=hint

Elude=evade

Appraise=Evaluate

Apprise=inform

1
1

Stationary=not move,
stand still.
Stationery=pen,pencil etc.

its=it is

its=possessive of it

During interrogation,
Shiva eluded to the previous
crimes of Asaram.
Asaram alluded policesummons for many days.
Bank
Managers apprise their POs
against the number of
mutual fund policies sold.
Bank
Managers appraise their
POs about the number of
mutual fund policies to be
sold.
Kasab ordered the hostages
to remain stationery

During interrogation,
Shiva alluded to the
previous crimes of Asaram.
Asaram eluded policesummons for many days.
Bank
Managers appraise their
POs against the number of
mutual fund policies sold.

Flipkart offers great

discounts
on stationary products.

Flipkart offers great

discounts
on stationery products.

Its so hard to find work in

Bollywood.
A lie gets halfway around
the world before the truth
has a chance to get its pants
on.

Its so hard to find work in

Bollywood.
A lie gets halfway around
the world before the truth
has a chance to get its pants
on.

Bank
Managers apprise their POs
about the number of mutual
fund policies to be sold.
Kasab ordered the hostages
to remain stationary

Whenever you solve comprehension passages at home or read

any English book/newspaper/web-article, you should note down
any unfamiliar words in a separate diary.
Download and Install a free software called Wordweb
(http://wordweb.info/free/)
Look up the meaning of those words in wordweb software, note
down the meanings in the same diary.
Revise this diary once in a while. Dont stop this exercise after the
exam is over. Continue it, until youre selected in your dream job.
Sample Vocabulary Questions from 2011s Exam
7

Instructions: Below is given a single word with its meaning in different

contexts as options. You haveto select all those options which are
synonyms of the word when the context is changed. Select the correct
alternative from 1), 2), 3), 4) and 5) which represents all those
synonyms.
1. LABOUR (A) expedite(B) to move
faster(C) controlled (D)toil

1. MEAN (A) imply (B) understand(C)

average(D)characterized by malice

1. Only (D)

1. Only(C)

2. Both (A) and (C)

2. Both (A) and .(D)

3. Only (B), (C) and (D)

3. Only (A), (C) and (D)

4. Only (A), (C) and (D)

4. Only (A), (B) and(D)

5. All (A),(B), (C) and (D)

5. All (A), (B), (C) and (D)

2. ALONE: (A) exclusively(B)

morose(C) solitary (D) human being

2. REGULAR: (A) present(B) common(C)

indiscriminate (D) uniform

1. Only (A)

1. Only(D)

2. Both (A) and (C)

2. Both (B) and (D)

3. Both (B) and (C)

3. Both (A) and (C)

4. Only (A), (C) and (D)

4. Only (B), (C) and (D)

5. All (A),(B), (C) and (D)

5. All (A), (B), (C) and (D)

Grammar part
In grammar, they ask two types of questions
1. sentence correction
2. Fill in the blanks.
In IBPS-2012, we can see that 30 out 50 English questions were from
grammar part only. English grammar is made up of many rules and
8

caveats, but from competitive exam point of view, you dont need to
cover everything. Focus on following areas first:

Prepositions
Often, the sentence correction / Fill in the blanks questions will test
your understanding of prepositions. For example
WRONG
What is the time in your watch?
We traveled in train.
He was trembling in rage.
There was an interesting show in TV.

RIGHT
What is the time by your watch?
We traveled by train.
He was trembling with rage.
There was an interesting show on TV

So you must be clear about the usage of prepositions from your

grammar book / via internet.

Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs do not always follow the rules of preposition.Example
phrasal verb
look down
on=consider inferior
come down
with=become sick

right use
Most parents look down on the
government schools.
My brother came down
with typhoid last week.

wrong use
Most parents looks down upon the
government schools.
My brother came down
from typhoid last week.

So, mugup the list of common phrasal verbs + examples, from your
grammar book / via internet.

Singular Plural related

This is another favorite area for sentence correction and fill in the
blanks.
WRONG
I like these kind of flowers
None of the factors are relevant
A list of contributing factors are being
complied.
Once Ive formatted this harddisk, Ive five
more PC to repair.
He has two sister-in-laws

RIGHT
I like these kinds of flowers
None of the factors is relevant.
A list of contributing factors is being complied.
Once Ive formatted this harddisk, Ive five
more PCs to repair.
He has two sisters-in-law.
9

I made five cup of teas

A box of illegal drugs were found in his car.

I made five cups of tea.

A box of illegal drugs was found in his car.

Similar rules are scattered in the topics of adjectives, pronouns, noun,

subject-verb agreement etc. Hence youve to study the grammar rules.

Grammar rules
From your grammar books, Study the grammar rules of noun,
pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, conjugation, articles, activepassive, direct-indirect, parallelism, embedded question, with
examples for sentence correction.
Finally solve maximum number of questions from old question
papers for BankPO, CDS, SSC, LIC etc. If you come across any
unique rule/case for sentence correction, note it in your diary for
future reference.

Sample Q. Sentence correction from IBPS-2012

Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error
or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the
sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is No error,
the answer is 5. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).
1
The Government
has asked
individuals
The power tariff
had already
Despite of curfew
This comes
As the prison will
get
The area was
plunged into
The poll
contestants

3
electronic file tax
with income of
returns for the year
over 10 lakhs to
2011-12,
the last 15 months
been increased
and the Electricity
twice in
Board had also
in some areas,
communal incidents
minor
were reported
when fund
at a time
allocation
an official
wont have to make
telephone facility
calls in discreet
soon, the prisoners manner
darkness mid a
cheering and
wave of
shouting
the commission
violated the code of
complaining that the conduct
10

something which was No

optional till last year error
levied additional
monthly charges to
consumers.
from different areas of
the walled city.
is been doubled.

No
Error
No
Error
No
Error

through smuggled
mobile phones.

No
Error

slogans like Save

The Earth.
and influenced public
perception.

No
Error
No
Error

approached

hoardings
adequate laws but
arise when these are implemented in letter
The country has
problems
not
and spirit.
The Management
the employees of
non-productive, and
to work hard.
feels that
the organisation are do not want
sensitising and
in villages is
have to make a start
As far the issue of
educating the
concerned, people
from their villages
land encroachment
villagers about this
will
by
issue.

No
Error
No
Error
No
Error

Sample Q. Fill in the Blanks from previous IBPS

1. ____ before the clock struck 8 on Saturday night, India Gate was
swamped with people wearing black tee-shirts and holding
candles. (A) Minutes(B) Time(C) Later(D) Quickly(E) Since(F)
Seconds
1. (B) and (E)
2. (A) and (C)
3. (A) and (F)
4. (B) and (D)
5. (C) and (E)
2. The States should take steps to _____ the process of teachers`
appointments as the Centre has already sanctioned six lakh
posts. (A) fasten(B) move(C) hasten(D) speed(E) early(F) quicken
1. (D) and (F)
2. (A) and (C)
3. (C) and (F)
4. (D) and (E)
5. (B) and (D)
3. A senior citizens son ____ threatened her every day and
physically harmed her, forcing her to transfer her property to him.
11

(A) superficially (B) mistakenly (C) allegedly (D) miserably (E)

doubtfully (F) purportedly
1. (C) and (F)
2. (A) and (E)
3. (C) and (E)
4. (D) and (F)
5. (A) and (C)
4. Medical teachers said that the management had continued to
remain ____ to their cause leading to the stretching of their strike.
(A) unmoved (B) lethargic (C) unconcerned (D) apathetic (E)
indifferent (F) bored
1. (B) and (C)
2. (C) and (F)
3. (A) and (E)
4. (A) and (D)
5. (D) and (E)
5. The parents had approached the high court to ____ the
government order after their children, who passed UKG, were
denied admission by a school. (A) void(B) quash(C) annul(D)
stay(E) lift(F) post
1. (A) and (D)
2. (B) and (C)
3. (C) and (E)
4. (E) and (F)
5. (C) and (D)

12

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/09/studyplan-ibps-cwepomt-english-grammar-comprehension-sentencearragenment.html

Posted By Mrunal On 06/09/2013 @ 01:17 In the category IBPS
Click here to print.

13