Fill in the Blanks - Tricks, Verbal | General English For NDA PDF Download

Sentence completion questions test your vocabulary skills as well as reading abilities. 

This question type tests the student's ability to understand the main idea of the sentence and the logical structure of the sentence. Your knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes, will come handy.

Sentence completion questions are one of two types on the English section of the Competitive exams.  Questions will sometimes ask you to fill in one blank, sometimes two. The following  tips will help you score well when you have to answer these questions on test day:

(1) Make sure you read the sentence very carefully. Look for important words that indicate where the sentence is going.  Is it going along the same train of thought? Or, is there a shift in direction?

a. Words that indicate the correct word to fill in the blank will go along the same train of thought include: and, also, consequently, therefore, accordingly, as a result, thus, hence, so, for this reason

b. Words that indicate the correct word to fill in the blank is a shift in direction include: but, yet, although, however, on the other hand, in contrast, differently, nevertheless, still, though, nonetheless, conversely, on the contrary

(2) Before you look at the answer choices, try to come up with a word you would use to complete the sentence.  When you’re doing this, you can try to use a big word, but it’s much preferable to use the first simple word that comes to your mind.  Once you think of a word that would complete the sentence, you can then check the answer choices to see if there’s either that exact word or one with a similar meaning.  (If you have a dual-blank sentence completion question, try to come up with words for both blanks.  If you cannot, coming up with a word for one of the blanks will help you then use process of elimination.)

(3) If you can’t figure out a word to put in the blank, determine if the correct word has a positive or negative connotation.  Look at the example below to see how this would work:

Rohan used to be so obsequious to anyone he felt threatened by, but now that he stands up for himself people think he’s ____________.

If you knew the definition of obsequious, you’d known it means “excessively eager to please or obey.”  It’s a negative word, and the word but in the sentence means there’s a shift in direction in the sentence.  Even if you didn’t know the definition of obsequious, you should be able to figure out that it’s a negative word by the context in which it’s used

(4) Never choose an answer in a dual-blank question just because one of the word choices fits.  The test-makers deliberately put in an answer choice where one of the word choices fits perfectly while the other one is incorrect.  Make sure both words fit and don’t fall into this trap.

(5) Make sure you check all of the answer choices before you choose an answer.  Sometimes the test-makers provide an answer choice that could be correct, that is, if there were no better choices.  Most of the time, though, there will be a choice that’s perfect, not just OK.

If you follow these tips, you’ll do quite well on the sentence completion portion of the BANK/SSC Exam.

Here are Some Example Questions for practice and to understand these TRICKS in better/effective way. 

Q. Although the warring parties had settled a number of disputes, past experience made them .......... to express optimism that the talks would be a success.

A. rash 

B. ambivalent 

C. scornful 

D. overjoyed 

E. reticent

Explanation: Although" sets up a contrast between what has occurred--success on some issues--and what can be expected to occur--success for the whole talks. Hence, the parties are reluctant to express optimism. The common word "reluctant" is not offered as an answer choice, but a synonym--reticent--is. The answer is (E)

Q. Davis is an opprobrious and .......... speaker, equally caustic toward friend or foe--a true curmudgeon.

A. lofty 

B. vituperative 

C. unstinting 

D. retiring 

E. laudatory

Explanation: And" in the sentence indicates that the missing adjective is similar in meaning to "opprobrious," which is very negative. Now, vituperative--the only negative word--means "abusive." Hence, the answer is (B).

Q. Because the House has the votes to override a presidential veto, the President has no choice but to ..........

A. object 

B. abdicate

C. abstain

D. capitulate 

E. compromise

Explanation: Since the House has the votes to pass the bill or motion, the President would be wise to compromise and make the best of the situation. The answer is (E).

Q. His novels are .......... ; he uses a long circumlocution when a direct coupling of a simple subject and verb would be best.

A. prolix 

B. pedestrian 

C. succinct 

D. vapid 

E. risque

Explanation: The sentence has no linking words (such as because, although, etc.). Hence, the phrase following the semicolon is in apposition to the missing word--it defines or further clarifies the missing word. Now, writing filled with circumlocutions is aptly described as prolix. The answer is (A).

Q. Because he did not want to appear_______, the junior executive refused to dispute the board's decision, in spite of his belief that the decision would impair employee morale.

A. contentious

B. indecisive 

C. solicitous 

D. overzealous 

E. steadfast

Explanation : (C) and (E) are gone because they're positive words. .(B)doesn't work because the clue is "refused to dispute." That doesn't work with indecisive. For the same reason,(D) doesn't work either. So the best answer is option A.

Q.The subtle shades of meaning, and still subtler echoes of association, make language an instrument which scarcely anything short of genius can wield with ____ and ____ .

A.confidence - aloofness

B.definiteness – certainty

C.sincerity - hope

D.conservatism – alacrity

Option(B) is correct

Explanation :The sentence suggests that language is something very difficult to handle; it almost requires a genius to handle it with skill. Therefore we choose two words that indicate ‘skill’ in an effective use of language. Also, the use of the word ‘subtle’ indicates that language is not obvious, and it is, therefore, hard to be precise - hence definiteness and certainty.

(aloofness = keeping apart, arrogant; alacrity= speed and eagerness; eloquence = ability to speak well)

Q. In keeping with his own ____ in international diplomacy, Churchill proposed a personal meeting of heads of government, but the effort was doomed to failure, as the temper of the times was ____ .

A.ideas - pluralistic

B.predilections - inimical

C.aversions - hostile

D.impulses - amicable

Explanation: Option(B) is correct

Read the sentence and see whether you can suggest a word of your own for one of the blanks. It sounds as though the meeting was doomed because the temper of the times was unsuitable. This would suggest that either hostile or inimical would be best for the second blank. Then it is unlikely that he would arrange a meeting in keeping with his own aversions; he would do so in keeping with his own inclinations

(predilections).

(pluralistic = including many aspects or cultures; predilections = tendencies, inclinations; inimical = hostile; amicable = friendly; maxims = short expressions of guiding principles; salacious = scandalous)

Q. Great saints believe that realisation of God will liberate man from ______ bondage and this state of release confers the privilege of serving the Lord in his ______ abode.

A.materialistic, permanent

B.earthly, transcendental

C.primitive, unique

D.spiritual, ethereal

Explanation: Option(B) is correct

The man has to be liberated from 'earthly' or 'materialistic' bondage and he should be united with 'spiritual' bondage, and hence 'spiritual' in option d would distort the sentence.

When man's life is materialistic , God's abode should be the opposite of 'materialistic'. But 'permanent' does not suggest that. Whereas 'earthly' and 'transcendental' are antonyms and are the most appropriate word in the given context.

Q. The cricket match seemed ____ to our guests; they were used to watching sports in which the action is over in a couple of hours at the most.

A.unintelligible

B.inconsequential

C.interminable

D.implausible

Explanation :  Option(C) is correct

The part after the semicolon gives the clue. It states that they were used to watching things that get over fast, and therefore the cricket match seemed interminable (never ending). None of the other words is about the time factor except ‘evanescent’ which means short-lived and would not fit the sense.

(inconsequential = unimportant; implausible = cannot be believed)

Q. Wilson ____ that human beings inherit a tendency to feel an affinity and awe for other living things, in the same way that we are ____ to be inquisitive or to protect our young at all costs.

A.argues - encouraged

B.maintains - trained

C.contends - predisposed

D.fears - taught

Explanation: Option(C) is correct

The words ‘in the same way’ shows that we are looking for parallel ideas.

Hence, if we ‘inherit’ a certain tendency, then, in the same way, we will inherit another tendency. Either ‘predisposed’ or ‘genetically programmed’ would fit. But since the latter is paired with ‘demurs’ which means hesitates or refuses, this is inappropriate. Contents, which means ‘argues’ is a better choice.