IBPS RRB Mains 2017: Preparation Guide for English Language

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS RRB Officer and IBPS RRB Assistant Exams to recruit Officers and Office Assistants in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) respectively. The IBPS RRB Scale 1 Officer Mains Exam is scheduled on 5^th Nov 2017 and the IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains Exam is scheduled on 12^th Nov 2017. As the mains are approaching, you might be already preparing for the exam. Here is a detailed article on English Language for the upcoming IBPS RRB mains 2017 exam. In both the exams, English language will have 40 questions and total 40 marks.

Note: The number of questions mentioned below are based on previous years’ exams and might vary.

IBPS RRB Mains 2017 – Exam Syllabus

1. Reading Comprehension

10-20 questions will be covered

Candidates can expect 3 sets of Reading Comprehension with 6-7 questions each. The passage will typically cover topics like banking and economy, business, social issues etc.

2. Sentence Improvement / Phrase Replacement

5-10 questions will be covered

Here, the question includes a sentence with a certain part underlined. Candidates need to replace the underlined with the correct option from the options provided.

3. Para Jumbles / Odd One Out

5-10 questions will be covered

Here, a set of sentences are asked to be rearranged to form a meaningful paragraph. At times, odd sentences that doesn’t follow the theme of the passage are included.

4. Cloze Test

5-10 questions will be covered

Here, a single passage is given with 5-10 blanks that needs to be filled.

5. Error Spotting

Approximately, 5 questions will be covered

Sentences with errors related to tenses, subject-verb agreement, article-noun agreement, part of speech, prepositions etc. will be provided. Candidates need to spot the error.

6. Single Fillers / Double Fillers / Sentence Fillers

0-5 questions will be covered

Here, sentence with one or two blanks will be provided. Candidates need to choose the correct option out of the options to fill the blanks.

IBPS RRB Mains 2017 – Study Materials for English Language

• Refer to Wren & Martin
• 100 important idioms
• Oliveboard’s YouTube Playlist – English Language

Topic-Wise Tips for English Language Test

Reading Comprehension

1. A good reading speed gives you an edge to score well in the exam. Ensure that while preparing for RC you also work on your reading speed
2. Choose the one with less number of words and topic that you are closer to understanding
3. Questions and information in the passage is linked. Example: first question will have its relevance in the first paragraph or first few lines.

Phrase Replacement

1. When Adjectives like much, less, little and more are used as nouns, they are followed by a singular verb.

Example: Less than a million of rupees are required immediately.

2. If two subjects express a single idea, it is followed by a singular verb.

Example: Bread and Egg are a good breakfast.

1. are
2. are not
3. is a
4. is
5. no correction required

Answer is: C (Bread and Egg is a good breakfast)

3. When two subjects are connected by as well as, the verb is according to the first subject.

Example: He as well as his father is going to the US.

4. When a singular form of noun depicts a whole class, ‘the’ is used.

Example: The mango is considered as the king of fruits.

5. Since is used along with a specific point of time and not with approximation.

Example: She is not keeping well since last week.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Recognize the logical structure of a sentence and pay attention to what is required.
2. Basic grammar rules come handy. Example: If the article ‘an’ comes before the blank, the answer must begin with a vowel.
3. At times, the answer might not be a commonly used word but a synonym of it. Example: He is reticent to express himself in front of a crowd (reticent is a synonym of reluctant).

Error Spotting

1. Nouns that possess singular form but depicts plural. Example: Cattle, People, Police, Military etc.

The military was called out (incorrect)

The military were called out (correct)

2. Few nouns always take the plural verb as their form is plural. Example: Spectacles, Trousers, Premises etc.

The spectacles is kept on the table (incorrect)

The spectacles are kept on the table (correct)

3. Two or more singular subjects that is connected by ‘and’ usually goes with a verb in the plural.

Meera and Sheela is here (incorrect)

Meera and Sheela are here (correct)

4. When the subjects are joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’ the verb agrees in person with the nearest one.

Either She or I is mistaken (incorrect)

Either She or I am mistaken (correct)

5. ‘Than’ is used after ‘no other’

I am friends with no other but him from our batch.

I am friends with no other than him from our batch.

General Tips to Ace the English Section

1. Revise all the grammar rules
2. Improve your vocabulary by reading English Newspapers and Magazines everyday
3. Practice sectional practice tests
4. Improve reading speed for RC, learn how
5. Play word play games and word search puzzles
6. Attempt full-length mock tests from Oliveboard, analyse performance, identify weaker areas and focus on those more

These were some tips to improve your scoring in the English section in the upcoming RRB mains exam. Hope this helps.

If you have any further query, feel free to participate in Oliveboard’s discussion forum or mention in the comment section below.

All the best for the exam!