The General English syllabus for the IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) exams, including IBPS PO, Clerk, and SO, focuses on assessing the candidate’s proficiency in English language skills such as grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and usage. Here’s a breakdown of the topics typically covered:
1. Reading Comprehension
- Passages followed by questions to test understanding.
- Questions based on main ideas, tone, inference, fact vs. opinion, etc.
- Types of passages: economy, finance, social issues, or general topics.
2. Grammar
- Error Spotting: Identify grammatical errors in sentences.
- Sentence Correction: Correct the grammatical errors in sentences.
- Phrase Replacement: Replace incorrect phrases with grammatically correct ones.
3. Vocabulary
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Finding words that mean the same or opposite.
- Fill in the Blanks: Complete sentences with appropriate words or phrases.
- Cloze Test: Fill in multiple blanks within a passage to complete the story coherently.
4. Sentence Completion
- Complete the given sentences meaningfully.
- Can include fill-in-the-blanks type or choose the correct sentence continuation.
5. Para Jumbles
- Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form a coherent passage.
6. Sentence/Paragraph Improvement
- Improve or rephrase sentences or paragraphs for better grammar and flow.
7. Idioms & Phrases
- Questions related to commonly used idioms and their meanings.
8. Phrase Substitution
- Substitute part of a sentence with an alternative phrase that conveys the same meaning.
9. Active/Passive Voice
- Transform sentences from active to passive voice or vice versa.
10. Direct and Indirect Speech
- Convert sentences from direct speech to indirect speech and vice versa.
Important Tips for Preparation:
- Improve Reading Speed: Focus on enhancing your ability to read and comprehend faster, especially for comprehension passages.
- Brush Up on Grammar: Review rules of grammar like subject-verb agreement, tenses, conjunctions, and prepositions.
- Enhance Vocabulary: Reading newspapers and solving previous years’ papers can improve vocabulary.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regular practice of mock tests and previous years’ papers helps in time management and familiarizes with the pattern.
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