These essential MCQ questions are selected from the most important topics in IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO and SBI Clerk English Language sections 2026. Sections include English Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Error Detection, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles and Reading Comprehension. For truely unlimited daily MCQ practice, visit Vooo AI Education.

📝 IBPS English Language
1Choose the correct word: The bank __ its interest rates last week.
A. rise
B. risen
C. raised
D. arose
Answer: C — raised
"Raised" is correct — it is the past tense of the transitive verb "raise" (meaning to increase something). "Rise" is intransitive (no object). Common confusion: rise/raise — "The sun rises" (intransitive), "The bank raised rates" (transitive, needs an object).
2The antonym of "transparent" is:
A. Clear
B. Opaque
C. Visible
D. Obvious
Answer: B — Opaque
Transparent means allowing light to pass through, or easy to perceive. Its antonym is Opaque — not allowing light through, or not easily understood. In banking, "transparent" is used to describe clear, open financial dealings. Antonyms are heavily tested in IBPS English.
3Find the error: "Neither of the candidates were selected."
A. Neither
B. of the candidates
C. were selected
D. No error
Answer: C — were selected
The error is "were selected." "Neither" is singular and takes a singular verb. Correct sentence: "Neither of the candidates was selected." Rule: Neither/Either used alone takes a singular verb. Neither...nor takes verb agreeing with the nearer subject.
4The synonym of "meticulous" is:
A. Careless
B. Precise
C. Vague
D. Hasty
Answer: B — Precise
Meticulous means showing great attention to detail. Its synonym is Precise (exact, careful). Other synonyms include thorough, scrupulous and careful. Antonyms include careless, sloppy and negligent. Vocabulary is a key component of IBPS English sections.
5Choose the correct passive: "The manager approved the loan."
A. The loan was approved by the manager
B. The loan is approved by manager
C. The loan approved by the manager
D. The loan has approved by manager
Answer: A — The loan was approved by the manager
Active: The manager approved the loan. Passive: The loan was approved by the manager. Formula: Object + was/were + past participle + by + subject. "Approved" is both simple past and past participle, so this is straightforward.
6Fill in the blank: The RBI __ the repo rate by 25 basis points.
A. cut
B. cuts
C. cutting
D. to cut
Answer: A — cut
"Cut" (simple past) is correct here as the sentence describes a completed past action. "Basis points" is a finance term — 1 basis point = 0.01%. So 25 basis points = 0.25%. This type of banking-context sentence completion is common in IBPS English cloze tests.
7Which sentence uses "effect" correctly?
A. The policy will effect a major change
B. The policy effected the market badly
C. The new policy had a positive effect
D. We need to effect the results carefully
Answer: C — The new policy had a positive effect
"Effect" as a noun means result or outcome. "The policy had a positive effect" is correct. "Affect" is the verb meaning to influence. Common error: confusing affect (verb) and effect (noun). Exception: "effect" can be a verb meaning "to bring about" (rare, formal usage).
8Para jumble — the correct order of: P: He was arrested. Q: A theft was reported. R: The stolen goods were recovered. S: Police investigated.
A. QSPR
B. PQRS
C. QPSR
D. SQRP
Answer: A — QSPR
Logical sequence: Q (theft reported) → S (police investigated) → P (he was arrested) → R (stolen goods recovered). Para jumbles test logical sequencing of sentences. Look for the topic sentence first (usually Q or a general statement), then follow cause-effect or time-sequence logic.
9Cloze test: "Banks play a __ role in the economic development of a country."
A. minor
B. crucial
C. little
D. doubtful
Answer: B — crucial
"Crucial" (extremely important) fits correctly in context. Banks are vital to economic development — they mobilise savings, provide credit and facilitate transactions. Cloze tests require understanding the overall passage context. "Minor" and "little" mean insignificant, which contradicts the statement.
10The idiom "to burn a hole in one's pocket" means:
A. To damage clothing
B. Money is spent quickly
C. To save money carefully
D. To earn a lot of money
Answer: B — Money is spent quickly
"To burn a hole in one's pocket" is an idiom meaning that someone is eager to spend money quickly. Example: "His bonus was burning a hole in his pocket." Idioms and phrases are consistently tested in IBPS PO and Clerk English sections and require understanding figurative meaning.

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