Bank Exams Exam > Bank Exams Notes > IBPS PO Prelims & Mains Preparation > Cheat Sheet: Fill in the Blanks
Cheat Sheet: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the Blanks is a high-return topic in the English section of bank exams. Questions are usually direct, rule-based, and time-efficient, making this topic ideal for scoring quickly. It tests a candidate's command over grammar rules, vocabulary usage, and contextual understanding.
Average Weightage in Bank Exams
| Exam | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| SBI PO / Clerk | 3-5 |
| IBPS PO / Clerk | 3-5 |
| RRB PO / Clerk | 2-4 |
| RBI Assistant / Grade B | 4-6 |
Contribution is approximately 10-15% of the English section.
Types of Fill in the Blanks Questions
| Type | Focus Area | Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar-based | Tense, articles, prepositions, SVA | Rule clarity |
| Vocabulary-based | Word meaning, tone | Context |
| Phrase-based | Idioms, phrasal verbs | Usage |
| Double fillers | Logic + grammar | Elimination |
| Trap-based | Close options | Accuracy |
Grammar Rules Frequently Tested
1. Articles
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| "An" before vowel sound | an honest officer |
| "The" for specific noun | the proposal approved |
| No article before abstract noun | Honesty is valued |
Common error:
an university is incorrect; correct usage is a university.
2. Prepositions (Highly Repeated)
| Word | Correct Preposition |
|---|---|
| interested | in |
| responsible | for |
| capable | of |
| depend | on |
| prefer | to / over |
Note: Prepositions are mostly fixed by usage, not logic.
3. Tenses
| Situation | Tense |
|---|---|
| Habit or universal fact | Present Simple |
| Action just completed | Present Perfect |
| Two past actions | Past Perfect + Past Simple |
| Headlines / official notices | Present Simple |
Keywords like since, for, already, yet generally indicate Present Perfect tense.
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
| Subject | Verb Form |
|---|---|
| Each, everyone, somebody | Singular |
| A number of | Plural |
| The number of | Singular |
| Along with, together with | Verb agrees with first subject |
Vocabulary-Based Fill in the Blanks
Approach
Read the sentence without options
Understand sentence tone
Predict the required word
Match meaning, not spelling similarity
Commonly Used Word Types
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Positive | enhance, foster, boost |
| Negative | hinder, impede, obstruct |
| Neutral | indicate, mention, observe |
Double Fillers: Elimination Strategy
| Step | Focus |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Overall tone of sentence |
| Step 2 | Grammar fit of first blank |
| Step 3 | Logical connection |
| Step 4 | Remove extreme or vague options |
Always solve both blanks together, not independently.
Common Traps in Bank Exams
| Trap Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Similar words | economic vs economical |
| Wrong preposition | agree with vs agree on |
| Context ignored | rise vs raise |
| Time reference missed | tense mismatch |
Quick Revision Table (Last-Minute)
| If You See | Apply This Rule |
|---|---|
| since / for | Present Perfect |
| although / though | Contrast |
| too / very | Degree |
| comparative form | than |
| passive voice | be + past participle |
The document Cheat Sheet: Fill in the Blanks is a part of the Bank Exams Course IBPS PO Prelims & Mains Preparation.
All you need of Bank Exams at this link: Bank Exams
FAQs on Cheat Sheet: Fill in the Blanks
| 1. What are the different types of fill in the blanks questions commonly found in bank exams? |  |
Ans. The types of fill in the blanks questions typically found in bank exams include grammar-based fill in the blanks, where candidates must choose the correct form of a word based on grammatical rules; vocabulary-based fill in the blanks, which test a candidate's understanding of word meanings; and double fillers, where more than one blank must be filled, often requiring elimination strategies to identify the correct answers.
| 2. What grammar rules are frequently tested in fill in the blanks questions? | |
Ans. Frequently tested grammar rules in fill in the blanks questions include subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, the correct use of prepositions, articles, and conjunctions, as well as understanding of parts of speech such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Candidates should also be familiar with common grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions.
| 3. How can candidates effectively use the elimination strategy in double fillers? | |
Ans. Candidates can effectively use the elimination strategy in double fillers by first identifying the context of the sentence and considering the meanings of each option. They should eliminate any choices that do not fit grammatically or semantically in the sentence. This process helps narrow down the options, making it easier to select the correct pair of words.
| 4. What are some common traps candidates face in bank exams related to fill in the blanks questions? | |
Ans. Common traps in fill in the blanks questions include answers that seem correct at first glance but do not fit the overall context of the sentence, options that are grammatically correct but semantically incorrect, and distractor options that use similar-sounding words or phrases. Candidates should be cautious and read sentences thoroughly to avoid these traps.
| 5. What should candidates include in their last-minute revision for fill in the blanks questions? | |
Ans. In their last-minute revision, candidates should focus on reviewing key grammar rules, common vocabulary words, and idiomatic expressions. They should practice sample fill in the blanks questions, pay attention to their common pitfalls, and revise strategies for elimination and context clues to enhance their performance in the exam.
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Apr 21, 2026 Last updated
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