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SBI PO Fill in the Blanks

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This page covers SBI PO Fill in the Blanks with complete concept notes, 15 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Fill in the Blanks— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept

Every blank has a specific role in the sentence. Your job is to identify what type of word is needed - noun, verb, adjective, preposition, or conjunction. The correct answer maintains grammatical correctness and logical meaning

Key Rules

First, read the entire sentence carefully. Identify the subject and predicate. Look for clues before and after the blank. Check for parallel structure, tense consistency, and logical flow.

Words around the blank often give hints about what's missing.

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Context Clue Method = Look for signal words + Check grammar role + Match meaning
Elimination Formula = Remove grammatically wrong options + Remove meaning mismatches + Choose best fit
Tense Harmony Rule = If sentence has past tense, blank word should align with past context
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks 2-3 fill in the blank questions. Common patterns include: Phrasal verbs with prepositions, Idioms and expressions, Vocabulary in context, Grammar-based blanks (articles, prepositions, conjunctions), and Synonym/antonym relationships.

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

#1 - The Grammar First Method: Always check grammar before meaning. If an option doesn't fit grammatically, eliminate it immediately. This reduces your choices from 4 to 2-3 options quickly. Shortcut Trick #2 - The Opposite Context Trick: Look for contrasting words like 'but', 'however', 'although'.

If present, the blank often needs a word opposite to the surrounding context.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Identify context - weather was pleasant, so they changed their indoor plans

2
Step 2

Look for logical connection - pleasant weather made them change indoor plans to outdoor activity

3
Step 3

Check meaning - 'abandon' means to give up, which fits perfectly

4
Step 4

Verify grammar - 'abandon' is grammatically correct here Answer: (b) abandon Worked Example 2: 'Despite his _____ efforts, he could not solve the complex problem.' Options: (a) casual (b) half-hearted (c) strenuous (d) minimal

1
Step 1

Notice 'Despite' - this signals contrast

2
Step 2

The result was failure ('could not solve')

3
Step 3

With 'despite', we need a positive effort word that contrasts with failure

4
Step 4

'Strenuous' means great effort, creating perfect contrast with failure Answer: (c) strenuous Shortcut Trick #3 - The Collocation Method: Some words naturally go together. Learn common word partnerships like 'make efforts', 'take steps', 'heavy rain', 'strong coffee'. If you see one part, the partner word is likely the answer. Most Common Trap: Students often choose words that sound good but don't fit the sentence context. They pick familiar words without checking if the meaning makes sense in the specific sentence. Always read the complete sentence with your chosen answer to verify it sounds natural and logical. Time-Saving Strategy: Read the sentence first without looking at options. Try to predict what word might fit. Then check if your predicted word or its synonym appears in the options. This prevents confusion from attractive wrong answers. Another frequent mistake is ignoring prepositions and articles. Small words matter greatly in fill in the blanks. Pay attention to 'a', 'an', 'the', 'in', 'on', 'at' requirements around the blank.

Key Points to Remember

  • Always read the complete sentence before looking at options to understand context
  • Grammar First Formula: Eliminate grammatically incorrect options immediately
  • Context Clue Method: Words before and after the blank give meaning hints
  • Opposite Context Trick: Words like 'but', 'despite', 'however' signal contrast in the blank
  • Collocation Method: Learn common word partnerships for quick recognition
  • Tense Harmony Rule: Blank word must match the sentence's time framework
  • Elimination Formula: Remove wrong grammar + wrong meaning = find right answer
  • Predict before looking at options to avoid confusion from attractive wrong choices
  • Small words matter - pay attention to articles and prepositions around blanks
  • Always verify your answer by reading the complete sentence with chosen word

Exam-Specific Tips

  • SSC CGL typically includes 2-3 fill in the blank questions in English section
  • Most common blank types are phrasal verbs, idioms, and vocabulary in context
  • Grammar-based blanks focus on articles, prepositions, and conjunctions
  • Contrast signal words include 'despite', 'however', 'although', 'but', 'nevertheless'
  • Common collocations tested: 'make efforts', 'take steps', 'pay attention', 'heavy rain'
  • Time allocation should be 1-1.5 minutes per fill in the blank question
  • Wrong answers often use familiar words in incorrect contexts
  • Synonym and antonym relationships frequently appear in answer choices
Practice MCQs

Fill in the Blanks — Practice Questions

15graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

The athlete's __________ to training and discipline has made her one of the most successful competitors in the sport.

Practice 2easy

The government has announced a new policy to __________ the rising unemployment rate in the country.

Practice 3easy

The teacher was __________ by the student's remarkable progress in mathematics over the past six months.

Practice 4easy

The company's new product line has __________ the expectations of both critics and consumers alike.

Practice 5easy

The ancient manuscript was so __________ that scholars spent years trying to decipher its meaning.

Practice 6medium

The committee members were __________ about the proposal, with some supporting it and others opposing it vehemently.

Practice 7medium

The new policy aims to __________ the gap between rural and urban development by investing heavily in infrastructure.

Practice 8medium

Despite her __________ efforts to learn the language, she struggled to achieve fluency within the given timeframe.

Practice 9medium

The economist warned that __________ government spending without corresponding revenue growth would lead to unsustainable debt levels.

Practice 10medium

The committee has decided to __________ the project deadline by two weeks in order to ensure quality deliverables and avoid rushed work.

Practice 11medium

The government has __________ strict measures to curb inflation and stabilise the economy.

Practice 12hard

The economist's argument, though __________ in its presentation, was fundamentally flawed because it ignored crucial data that contradicted the main thesis.

Practice 13hard

The committee's decision to __________ the controversial policy has drawn criticism from both supporters and opponents, as many believe it neither fully addresses the core issues nor satisfies the demands of reform advocates.

Practice 14hard

The author's tendency to __________ every minor detail in the narrative made the novel tedious, as readers found themselves bogged down by unnecessary descriptions that added little to the plot.

Practice 15hard

The government's new policy has been criticised for being __________ in its approach, failing to account for the diverse needs of different socioeconomic groups across the nation.

60-Second Revision — Fill in the Blanks

  • Formula: Check grammar first, then meaning - eliminates 50% options quickly
  • Remember: Contrast words like 'despite', 'but' need opposite meaning in blank
  • Trap: Don't choose familiar words without checking sentence context fit
  • Method: Predict the answer before reading options to avoid confusion
  • Rule: Small words (a, an, the, in, on) around blanks are crucial clues
  • Strategy: Learn common collocations for instant recognition in exam
  • Check: Always read complete sentence with your chosen answer for verification
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