Today we are providing to you "Fill in the Blanks" Strategy for SSC/BANKING exams.
Most
of the students complain about the English Section of the competitive
exams, even after practicing many times, they still can't figure it out.
Today in this post we've compiled all the important TRICKS and APPROACH to solve such Questions.
We suggest you go through this article and note down all important points.
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, 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. Remember the
following words and what they indicate and you’ll do better on the
sentence completion portion of the SSC/BANKING:
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.
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.
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