The English Language section in banking exams (such as SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, and RBI Grade B) is designed to assess a candidate’s reading comprehension, grammatical accuracy, and vocabulary skills under strict time constraints. Unlike basic academic English tests, banking exams focus heavily on contextual usage, demanding quick analytical reading through complex Cloze Tests, Para Jumbles, and lengthy Reading Comprehension passages. Mastery of core grammar rules particularly subject-verb agreement, tenses, conditionals, and prepositions is absolutely essential for tackling high-weightage ‘Error Spotting’ and ‘Sentence Improvement’ questions. Consistent practice with exam-level objective questions improves both speed and accuracy, which are critical for clearing the stringent sectional cut-offs in these highly competitive examinations.
English Language for Bank Exams MCQs
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Correct Answer: b) Neither of the two candidates is eligible for the post.
Explanation:
The pronoun 'neither' is singular and requires a singular verb ('is'). It is followed by a plural noun ('candidates').
Correct Answer: b) have done
Explanation:
The phrase 'One of the' is always followed by a plural noun but takes a singular verb. 'have' should be 'has'.
Correct Answer: a) is
Explanation:
'The number of' takes a singular verb, whereas 'A number of' takes a plural verb. Hence, 'is' is correct.
Correct Answer: b) who has been selected
Explanation:
The relative pronoun 'who' refers to the antecedent 'players' (plural). Therefore, it should be followed by the plural verb 'have'.
Correct Answer: c) than
Explanation:
The conjunction 'No sooner' is always paired with 'than'.
Correct Answer: a) when
Explanation:
'Hardly' and 'Scarcely' are followed by the conjunction 'when' or 'before'.
Correct Answer: b) to
Explanation:
The phrase 'used to' is followed by a gerund (working) when it means being accustomed to something.
Correct Answer: b) It is high time we started studying.
Explanation:
The phrase 'It is high time' is followed by a subject and a verb in the past tense (started) to indicate that an action should have been done already.
Correct Answer: b) are
Explanation:
When a collective noun like 'committee' shows division or acts individually, it takes a plural verb.
Correct Answer: a) was
Explanation:
'Each of' is followed by a plural noun but takes a singular verb.
Correct Answer: b) Besides
Explanation:
'Besides' means 'in addition to'. 'Beside' means 'next to'.
Correct Answer: c) are to blame
Explanation:
When two subjects are joined by 'either...or', the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Here, 'he' requires 'is', not 'are'.
Correct Answer: b) are
Explanation:
Nouns that consist of two parts (scissors, trousers, spectacles) are treated as plural and take a plural verb.
Correct Answer: b) a lot of informations
Explanation:
'Information' is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form 'informations'.
Correct Answer: b) to
Explanation:
Adjectives ending in '-ior' (senior, junior, superior, inferior) are followed by the preposition 'to', not 'than'.
Correct Answer: b) to
Explanation:
The verb 'prefer' is followed by 'to' when comparing two nouns or gerunds.
Correct Answer: a) should
Explanation:
The conjunction 'lest' is typically followed by the modal 'should' to indicate a negative consequence to be avoided.
Correct Answer: b) yet
Explanation:
'Although' or 'Though' is followed by 'yet' or a comma, never by 'but'.
Correct Answer: c) for
Explanation:
The noun 'flair' meaning a natural talent or aptitude is followed by the preposition 'for'.
Correct Answer: a) to
Explanation:
The adjective 'averse' (meaning having a strong dislike) is always followed by the preposition 'to'.
Correct Answer: c) with
Explanation:
The verb 'comply' is followed by the preposition 'with'.
Correct Answer: b) by
Explanation:
The phrasal verb 'abide by' means to accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation.
Correct Answer: c) with
Explanation:
One is 'angry with' a person and 'angry at/about' a thing or situation.
Correct Answer: b) of
Explanation:
The verb 'acquitted' is correctly followed by the preposition 'of'.
Correct Answer: c) of
Explanation:
The verb 'avail' takes a reflexive pronoun (yourself) and the preposition 'of'.
Correct Answer: b) of
Explanation:
The verb 'deprive' is followed by the preposition 'of'.
Correct Answer: c) to
Explanation:
The adjective 'adjacent' takes the preposition 'to'.
Correct Answer: b) for
Explanation:
As a noun, 'cure' is followed by 'for' (a cure for a disease). As a verb, it takes 'of' (cured him of the disease).
Correct Answer: a) in
Explanation:
'Deal in' means to buy and sell something (trade). 'Deal with' means to handle a situation or a person.
Correct Answer: b) with
Explanation:
You 'part from' a person, but you 'part with' a thing.
Correct Answer: c) to
Explanation:
'Blind in' is used for physical blindness. 'Blind to' means ignoring or being unaware of something.
Correct Answer: b) with
Explanation:
The adjective 'infested' is followed by the preposition 'with'.
Correct Answer: c) with
Explanation:
The verb 'sympathize' takes the preposition 'with'.
Correct Answer: b) for
Explanation:
The adjective 'eligible' is followed by 'for' when referring to a position or opportunity.
Correct Answer: a) to
Explanation:
The phrase 'look forward' is followed by the preposition 'to' and a gerund (meeting).
Correct Answer: c) upon
Explanation:
The phrase 'bent upon' or 'bent on' means determined to do something.
Correct Answer: b) on
Explanation:
The verb 'congratulate' is followed by the preposition 'on'.
Correct Answer: b) Plentiful
Explanation:
'Abundant' means existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
Correct Answer: c) Alleviate
Explanation:
'Mitigate' means to make less severe, serious, or painful, which is synonymous with 'alleviate'.
Correct Answer: b) Practical
Explanation:
'Pragmatic' refers to dealing with things sensibly and realistically, i.e., being practical.
Correct Answer: c) Fleeting
Explanation:
'Transient' means lasting only for a short time; impermanent or fleeting.
Correct Answer: a) Reserved
Explanation:
'Reticent' means not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved.
Correct Answer: c) Stubborn
Explanation:
'Obstinate' means stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
Correct Answer: b) Industrious
Explanation:
'Diligent' means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties; industrious.
Correct Answer: c) Bold
Explanation:
'Audacious' means showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
Correct Answer: c) Clear
Explanation:
'Lucid' means expressed clearly; easy to understand.
Correct Answer: b) Mysterious
Explanation:
'Enigmatic' means difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
Correct Answer: b) Widespread
Explanation:
'Pervasive' means spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
Correct Answer: c) Improve
Explanation:
'Ameliorate' means to make something bad or unsatisfactory better.
Correct Answer: c) Scholarly
Explanation:
'Erudite' means having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarly.
Correct Answer: a) Unavoidable
Explanation:
'Inevitable' means certain to happen; unavoidable.
Correct Answer: b) Sluggish
Explanation:
'Lethargic' means feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things; sluggish.
Correct Answer: c) Transparent
Explanation:
'Opaque' means not able to be seen through. Its direct opposite is 'transparent'.
Correct Answer: c) Thorough
Explanation:
'Cursory' means hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed. The antonym is 'thorough'.
Correct Answer: a) Permanent
Explanation:
'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. 'Permanent' is its antonym.
Correct Answer: c) Extravagant
Explanation:
'Frugal' means sparing or economical as regards money or food. 'Extravagant' is the opposite.
Correct Answer: d) Condemned
Explanation:
'Vindicated' means cleared of blame or suspicion. 'Condemned' means expressing complete disapproval or sentencing someone to a punishment.
Correct Answer: c) Stable
Explanation:
'Capricious' means given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. 'Stable' is the antonym.
Correct Answer: b) Introverted
Explanation:
'Gregarious' means fond of company; sociable. 'Introverted' is its antonym.
Correct Answer: c) Careless
Explanation:
'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail; very careful. 'Careless' is the opposite.
Correct Answer: d) Turbulent
Explanation:
'Placid' means not easily upset or excited; calm. 'Turbulent' is the opposite.
Correct Answer: a) Crucial
Explanation:
'Trivial' means of little value or importance. 'Crucial' is the antonym.
Correct Answer: c) Increase
Explanation:
'Dwindle' means diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength. 'Increase' is the antonym.
Correct Answer: c) Deceitful
Explanation:
'Candid' means truthful and straightforward; frank. 'Deceitful' is the antonym.
Correct Answer: d) Welcome
Explanation:
'Ostracize' means to exclude from a society or group. 'Welcome' is the opposite.
Correct Answer: c) Fertile
Explanation:
'Barren' means too poor to produce much or any vegetation. 'Fertile' is the antonym.
Correct Answer: d) Nadir
Explanation:
'Zenith' is the highest point or peak. 'Nadir' is the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation.
Correct Answer: a) A good thing that seemed bad at first
Explanation:
This idiom refers to something that appears to be a misfortune but actually has a good result.
Correct Answer: c) To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage
Explanation:
To 'bite the bullet' means to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult.
Correct Answer: b) To stay up late working or studying
Explanation:
This idiom means to read, study, or work late into the night.
Correct Answer: b) To complain about a loss from the past that cannot be changed
Explanation:
It means to express regret about something that has already happened and cannot be undone.
Correct Answer: c) Something that is very easy to do
Explanation:
If a task is a 'piece of cake', it is very simple to complete.
Correct Answer: a) Feeling slightly ill
Explanation:
To be 'under the weather' means to feel sick or unwell.
Correct Answer: c) To reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly
Explanation:
This idiom refers to disclosing a secret or a surprise prematurely.
Correct Answer: b) To initiate conversation in a socially awkward situation
Explanation:
Breaking the ice means doing or saying something to relieve tension or get conversation going at the start of a meeting or party.
Correct Answer: b) To avoid coming to the point or addressing the main topic
Explanation:
Beating around the bush means discussing a matter without coming to the point.
Correct Answer: a) To do or say exactly the right thing
Explanation:
Hitting the nail on the head means finding exactly the right answer or describing a situation perfectly.
Correct Answer: b) To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake
Explanation:
This idiom means to accidentally reveal a secret.
Correct Answer: c) To be extremely happy or elated
Explanation:
Being on cloud nine means feeling a state of blissful happiness.
Correct Answer: a) Through good times and bad times
Explanation:
This phrase means supporting someone or staying together under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.
Correct Answer: c) To view a statement with skepticism or not literally
Explanation:
It means to not take something too seriously or to accept it with a degree of skepticism.
Correct Answer: b) A foolish and hopeless pursuit of something unattainable
Explanation:
This idiom describes a search for something that is impossible to find or that does not exist.
Correct Answer: a) Had I known
Explanation:
For third conditional sentences, the correct structure is 'If I had known' or the inverted form 'Had I known', followed by 'I would have...'.
Correct Answer: b) looking forward to meeting
Explanation:
The phrase 'look forward to' must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb+ing). Hence 'meeting' is correct.
Correct Answer: a) is used to waking up
Explanation:
When 'be used to' means 'be accustomed to', the preposition 'to' is followed by a gerund (waking).
Correct Answer: c) If I were you
Explanation:
In subjunctive mood expressing an unreal condition, 'were' is used with all subjects instead of 'was'.
Correct Answer: a) are coming
Explanation:
When subjects are joined by 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. 'Friends' is plural, so 'are' is correct.
Correct Answer: b) speaks not only English but also French
Explanation:
Correlative conjunctions 'not only...but also' must frame parallel structures. Here they should frame the two languages: 'not only English but also French'.
Correct Answer: a) So quickly did he run
Explanation:
When a sentence begins with 'So + adverb', the subject and verb are inverted (auxiliary verb + subject + main verb).
Correct Answer: b) prevented us from going out
Explanation:
The verb 'prevent' is followed by an object, the preposition 'from', and a gerund.
Correct Answer: b) Despite his hard work
Explanation:
The preposition 'despite' means exactly the same as 'in spite of'. It does not take the preposition 'of'.
Correct Answer: a) comprises
Explanation:
The verb 'comprise' in the active voice is not followed by the preposition 'of'. It means 'consists of'.
Correct Answer: b) avail yourself of the opportunity
Explanation:
The verb 'avail' requires a reflexive pronoun (yourself, myself, etc.) and is followed by the preposition 'of'.
Correct Answer: b) enjoyed ourselves at the party
Explanation:
When 'enjoy' is used without a direct object (like 'the party'), it requires a reflexive pronoun.
Correct Answer: a) much better
Explanation:
The use of 'more better' is a double comparative and is grammatically incorrect. 'Better' can be modified by 'much'.
Correct Answer: b) recommend that you read
Explanation:
The verb 'recommend' is not followed by an object + infinitive. It should be followed by a 'that' clause or a gerund.
Correct Answer: a) returning to India
Explanation:
The word 'return' already means 'to come back'. Using 'back' with 'return' is a redundant error.
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