English is an important section for candidates preparing for the IBPS Clerk examination. A good command of grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence structure, and contextual usage can help candidates improve their accuracy and speed.
This practice set contains 100 English questions for IBPS Clerk with answers, covering error detection, fill in the blanks, tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, para jumbles, and reading comprehension.
Part A: Error Detection Questions (1–10)
Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error.
1. The bank manager / along with his assistants / have attended / the meeting.
A. The bank manager
B. along with his assistants
C. have attended
D. the meeting
Answer: C. have attended
Correct: The bank manager, along with his assistants, has attended the meeting.
2. Each of the employees / have received / an email regarding / the new policy.
A. Each of the employees
B. have received
C. an email regarding
D. the new policy
Answer: B. have received
Correct: Each of the employees has received an email.
3. She has been working / in this bank / since five years / as a clerk.
A. She has been working
B. in this bank
C. since five years
D. as a clerk
Answer: C. since five years
Correct: She has been working in this bank for five years.
4. Neither the manager / nor the employees / was aware / of the change.
A. Neither the manager
B. nor the employees
C. was aware
D. of the change
Answer: C. was aware
Correct: Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the change.
5. He did not knew / about the new rule / until the manager / informed him.
A. He did not knew
B. about the new rule
C. until the manager
D. informed him
Answer: A. He did not knew
Correct: He did not know about the new rule.
6. The information provided / by the bank officials / were not sufficient / to resolve the matter.
A. The information provided
B. by the bank officials
C. were not sufficient
D. to resolve the matter
Answer: C. were not sufficient
Correct: The information provided by the bank officials was not sufficient.
7. He is one of those employees / who always completes / their work / before the deadline.
A. He is one of those employees
B. who always completes
C. their work
D. before the deadline
Answer: B. who always completes
Correct: He is one of those employees who always complete their work.
8. The manager asked the customer / whether he had submitted / all the required documents / or not.
A. The manager asked the customer
B. whether he had submitted
C. all the required documents
D. or not
Answer: D. or not
The sentence is grammatically acceptable. No error.
9. Despite of the heavy workload / the employees completed / the assignment / on time.
A. Despite of the heavy workload
B. the employees completed
C. the assignment
D. on time
Answer: A. Despite of the heavy workload
Correct: Despite the heavy workload, the employees completed the assignment on time.
10. No sooner did the bank open / when the customers / started entering / the branch.
A. No sooner did the bank open
B. when the customers
C. started entering
D. the branch
Answer: B. when the customers
Correct: No sooner did the bank open than the customers started entering the branch.
Part B: Fill in the Blanks (11–20)
Choose the most appropriate word.
11. The bank has taken several steps to ____ customer service.
A. improve
B. reduce
C. prevent
D. reject
Answer: A. improve
12. The manager asked the employee to ____ the report carefully.
A. check
B. checked
C. checking
D. checks
Answer: A. check
13. The government has introduced several schemes to ____ financial inclusion.
A. promote
B. discourage
C. prevent
D. restrict
Answer: A. promote
14. The candidate failed to ____ the eligibility requirements.
A. meet
B. meeting
C. met
D. meets
Answer: A. meet
15. The company plans to ____ its services to rural areas.
A. expand
B. withdraw
C. reduce
D. abandon
Answer: A. expand
16. The employees were asked to ____ the instructions carefully.
A. follow
B. followed
C. following
D. follows
Answer: A. follow
17. The bank introduced the new facility to ____ customers.
A. benefit
B. benefited
C. benefiting
D. benefits
Answer: A. benefit
18. The committee will ____ the proposal before taking a decision.
A. examine
B. examined
C. examining
D. examination
Answer: A. examine
19. The manager was ____ with the performance of the employees.
A. satisfied
B. satisfying
C. satisfy
D. satisfaction
Answer: A. satisfied
20. The new policy is expected to ____ the efficiency of the banking system.
A. enhance
B. reduce
C. obstruct
D. prevent
Answer: A. enhance
Part C: Tenses and Verb Usage (21–30)
21. By the time the manager arrived, the employees ____ the work.
A. completed
B. have completed
C. had completed
D. complete
Answer: C. had completed
22. She ____ in the banking sector for three years.
A. works
B. has been working
C. worked
D. is worked
Answer: B. has been working
23. If you work hard, you ____ the examination.
A. passed
B. will pass
C. would pass
D. had passed
Answer: B. will pass
24. When I reached the office, the manager ____ a meeting.
A. conducted
B. was conducting
C. has conducted
D. conducts
Answer: B. was conducting
25. By next year, he ____ five years of banking experience.
A. completes
B. completed
C. will have completed
D. has completed
Answer: C. will have completed
26. The customer ____ the application before the deadline.
A. submitted
B. had submitted
C. submits
D. submitting
Answer: B. had submitted
27. I ____ this book twice already.
A. read
B. have read
C. had reading
D. am read
Answer: B. have read
28. The bank ____ a new branch in the city last year.
A. opens
B. has opened
C. opened
D. is opening
Answer: C. opened
29. They ____ for the examination since morning.
A. prepare
B. prepared
C. have been preparing
D. had prepare
Answer: C. have been preparing
30. If I ____ enough money, I would buy a new laptop.
A. have
B. had
C. will have
D. am having
Answer: B. had
Part D: Articles (31–40)
31. He is ____ honest bank employee.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: B. an
32. She joined ____ university after completing school.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: A. a
33. ____ sun rises in the east.
A. A
B. An
C. The
D. No article
Answer: C. The
34. He wants to become ____ officer.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: B. an
35. This is ____ most important document.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: C. the
36. He plays ____ guitar very well.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: C. the
37. She bought ____ umbrella from the market.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: B. an
38. He is ____ European citizen.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: A. a
39. ____ Himalayas are among the highest mountains in the world.
A. A
B. An
C. The
D. No article
Answer: C. The
40. He was appointed ____ chairman of the committee.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: D. no article
Part E: Subject-Verb Agreement (41–50)
41. The quality of the services ____ excellent.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
42. A number of candidates ____ applied for the post.
A. has
B. have
C. is
D. was
Answer: B. have
43. The number of applications ____ increasing every year.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
44. Neither the manager nor the employees ____ responsible for the mistake.
A. is
B. was
C. are
D. has
Answer: C. are
45. Every employee ____ required to follow the rules.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
46. The manager, along with his assistants, ____ attending the meeting.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
47. Mathematics ____ an important subject for many competitive examinations.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
48. Ten thousand rupees ____ a large amount for a student.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
49. The news about the new policy ____ surprising.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
50. Neither of the two options ____ suitable.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
Part F: Synonyms (51–60)
Choose the word nearest in meaning.
51. Abundant
A. Scarce
B. Plentiful
C. Limited
D. Insufficient
Answer: B. Plentiful
52. Accurate
A. Correct
B. Wrong
C. Approximate
D. Uncertain
Answer: A. Correct
53. Brief
A. Short
B. Long
C. Large
D. Wide
Answer: A. Short
54. Diligent
A. Lazy
B. Hardworking
C. Careless
D. Slow
Answer: B. Hardworking
55. Enhance
A. Improve
B. Reduce
C. Damage
D. Prevent
Answer: A. Improve
56. Essential
A. Unnecessary
B. Necessary
C. Optional
D. Minor
Answer: B. Necessary
57. Fragile
A. Strong
B. Delicate
C. Heavy
D. Durable
Answer: B. Delicate
58. Genuine
A. False
B. Real
C. Artificial
D. Doubtful
Answer: B. Real
59. Rapid
A. Slow
B. Quick
C. Late
D. Weak
Answer: B. Quick
60. Reluctant
A. Unwilling
B. Eager
C. Excited
D. Ready
Answer: A. Unwilling
Part G: Antonyms (61–70)
Choose the word opposite in meaning.
61. Ancient
A. Historic
B. Old
C. Modern
D. Traditional
Answer: C. Modern
62. Artificial
A. False
B. Natural
C. Plastic
D. Synthetic
Answer: B. Natural
63. Expand
A. Extend
B. Increase
C. Contract
D. Develop
Answer: C. Contract
64. Generous
A. Kind
B. Helpful
C. Stingy
D. Noble
Answer: C. Stingy
65. Optimistic
A. Positive
B. Hopeful
C. Pessimistic
D. Confident
Answer: C. Pessimistic
66. Permanent
A. Fixed
B. Stable
C. Temporary
D. Lasting
Answer: C. Temporary
67. Superior
A. Higher
B. Better
C. Inferior
D. Greater
Answer: C. Inferior
68. Victory
A. Triumph
B. Success
C. Defeat
D. Achievement
Answer: C. Defeat
69. Transparent
A. Clear
B. Visible
C. Opaque
D. Bright
Answer: C. Opaque
70. Wisdom
A. Intelligence
B. Knowledge
C. Folly
D. Understanding
Answer: C. Folly
Part H: Idioms and Phrases (71–80)
71. To make both ends meet means:
A. To become rich
B. To manage expenses within one's income
C. To borrow money
D. To stop working
Answer: B. To manage expenses within one's income
72. To break the ice means:
A. To start a friendly conversation
B. To create a problem
C. To end a meeting
D. To avoid communication
Answer: A. To start a friendly conversation
73. Once in a blue moon means:
A. Very frequently
B. Very rarely
C. Every month
D. Every night
Answer: B. Very rarely
74. To hit the nail on the head means:
A. To make a mistake
B. To say or do exactly the right thing
C. To avoid an issue
D. To work slowly
Answer: B. To say or do exactly the right thing
75. To call it a day means:
A. To start work
B. To stop working
C. To postpone work
D. To change the schedule
Answer: B. To stop working
76. To be in hot water means:
A. To be comfortable
B. To be in trouble
C. To be successful
D. To be relaxed
Answer: B. To be in trouble
77. At the eleventh hour means:
A. Very early
B. At the last moment
C. At midnight
D. After a long time
Answer: B. At the last moment
78. To keep an eye on something means:
A. To ignore it
B. To watch it carefully
C. To criticize it
D. To remove it
Answer: B. To watch it carefully
79. To go the extra mile means:
A. To make an additional effort
B. To stop working
C. To travel unnecessarily
D. To avoid responsibility
Answer: A. To make an additional effort
80. A blessing in disguise means:
A. A hidden danger
B. Something that seems bad but proves beneficial
C. An unexpected punishment
D. A false promise
Answer: B. Something that seems bad but proves beneficial
Part I: One Word Substitution (81–90)
81. One who loves books is called a:
A. Bibliophile
B. Biographer
C. Bibliographer
D. Philosopher
Answer: A. Bibliophile
82. One who can speak two languages is:
A. Bilingual
B. Monolingual
C. Polyglot
D. Linguistic
Answer: A. Bilingual
83. One who can speak many languages is:
A. Bilingual
B. Polyglot
C. Orator
D. Narrator
Answer: B. Polyglot
84. One who loves mankind is called a:
A. Misanthrope
B. Philanthropist
C. Pessimist
D. Cynic
Answer: B. Philanthropist
85. One who hates mankind is called a:
A. Humanist
B. Philanthropist
C. Misanthrope
D. Pacifist
Answer: C. Misanthrope
86. A person who looks at the bright side of things is an:
A. Optimist
B. Pessimist
C. Opportunist
D. Extremist
Answer: A. Optimist
87. A person who spends money excessively is called a:
A. Miser
B. Spendthrift
C. Creditor
D. Debtor
Answer: B. Spendthrift
88. A person who cannot read or write is:
A. Illiterate
B. Immature
C. Ignorant
D. Innocent
Answer: A. Illiterate
89. A speech delivered without preparation is called:
A. Extempore
B. Editorial
C. Dialogue
D. Manuscript
Answer: A. Extempore
90. A government by the people is called:
A. Monarchy
B. Democracy
C. Oligarchy
D. Autocracy
Answer: B. Democracy
Part J: Sentence Improvement (91–95)
91. He is senior than me.
A. senior to me
B. senior from me
C. senior over me
D. No improvement
Answer: A. senior to me
92. She is good in English.
A. good at English
B. good on English
C. good with English
D. No improvement
Answer: A. good at English
93. He has been living here since five years.
A. from five years
B. for five years
C. by five years
D. No improvement
Answer: B. for five years
94. The manager discussed about the new policy.
A. discussed the new policy
B. discussed on the new policy
C. discussed regarding the new policy
D. No improvement
Answer: A. discussed the new policy
95. He did not knew the answer.
A. did not knows
B. did not know
C. does not knew
D. No improvement
Answer: B. did not know
Part K: Para Jumbles (96–98)
Arrange the following sentences in the correct order.
96.
P. Digital banking has become increasingly popular.
Q. Customers can now perform many transactions using mobile applications.
R. This has reduced the need to visit bank branches frequently.
S. It has also made banking services more convenient.
A. PQRS
B. QPRS
C. PRQS
D. PSRQ
Answer: A. PQRS
97.
P. Regular practice is essential for success in competitive examinations.
Q. It improves speed and accuracy.
R. It also helps candidates identify their weak areas.
S. Therefore, candidates should practise questions regularly.
A. PQRS
B. QPRS
C. RQPS
D. PSRQ
Answer: A. PQRS
98.
P. Reading newspapers can improve English vocabulary.
Q. It also exposes readers to different writing styles.
R. Regular reading can therefore improve comprehension skills.
S. Candidates should make reading a part of their daily routine.
A. PQRS
B. QPRS
C. PRQS
D. PSRQ
Answer: A. PQRS
Part L: Reading Comprehension (99–100)
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.
Passage:
Digital banking has changed the way customers access financial services. Mobile applications and internet banking allow customers to transfer money, pay bills, check account balances, and access several other services without visiting a branch. However, customers must remain cautious while using digital services. Strong passwords, secure devices, and awareness of fraudulent messages can help reduce the risk of online financial fraud.
99. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Bank branches are no longer useful
B. Digital banking provides convenience but requires security awareness
C. Mobile applications are expensive
D. Customers should avoid online banking
Answer: B. Digital banking provides convenience but requires security awareness
100. Which of the following is mentioned as a way to reduce the risk of online fraud?
A. Sharing passwords
B. Using public computers
C. Maintaining strong passwords
D. Ignoring suspicious messages
Answer: C. Maintaining strong passwords
Quick Revision Topics for IBPS Clerk English
Candidates preparing for IBPS Clerk should regularly practise:
Error Detection
Fill in the Blanks
Double Fillers
Cloze Test
Sentence Improvement
Sentence Correction
Reading Comprehension
Para Jumbles
Sentence Rearrangement
Tenses
Articles
Prepositions
Subject-Verb Agreement
Active and Passive Voice
Direct and Indirect Speech
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms and Phrases
One Word Substitution
Spelling Correction
Vocabulary
Word Usage
How to Prepare English for IBPS Clerk
1. Strengthen Your Grammar
Focus on commonly tested topics such as tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, pronouns, conjunctions, and sentence correction.
2. Improve Vocabulary
Learn new words regularly and revise their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, and usage.
3. Read English Daily
Read newspapers, editorials, magazines, and online articles to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and reading speed.
4. Practise Fillers and Cloze Tests
Always consider the meaning of the complete sentence or passage before selecting an option. Context is often more important than the individual meaning of a word.
5. Practise Para Jumbles
Identify the opening sentence first and then look for logical connections between sentences, including pronouns, conjunctions, and sequence indicators.
6. Solve Previous-Year Questions
Practising previous-year IBPS Clerk English questions can help candidates understand common question types and improve their problem-solving approach.
7. Take Regular Mock Tests
Attempt timed practice sets and analyse mistakes after every test. Keep a separate list of grammar rules and vocabulary questions that you frequently get wrong.
