FREE BANK EXAM ENGLISH PRACTICE
Build reading accuracy, grammar and vocabulary for PO, CSA/Clerk, Specialist Officer and RRB exams. Learn a method, try a short set, and understand every answer.
30 original questions · 6 skills · No sign-up
START WITH YOUR EXAM
These routes cover the main IBPS Common Recruitment Processes with English tests. English requirements differ by post and stage. Pattern details checked on 3 November 2026 against the official notifications linked below.
Prelims, mains & descriptive English
Build reading accuracy and grammar, then practise planning an essay and answering comprehension in your own words.
Official notification (PDF) · PDF pages 15–16. Check later handouts and updates before the exam.
English in prelims and mains
Start with short accuracy drills. Add longer passages and work on deciding which questions to attempt within the section time.
Official notification (PDF) · PDF page 17. Check later handouts and updates before the exam.
English across the six SO roles
In SPL XVI mains, tests other than Professional Knowledge are qualifying. Practise English, and use the role-specific official handout for professional and descriptive requirements.
Official notification (PDF) · PDF pages 16–17. Check later handouts and updates before the exam.
Choose the English language route
Use this section when choosing English. The language option is separate from local-language proficiency requirements; confirm the rules for your post.
Official notification (PDF) · PDF pages 21–24. Check later handouts and updates before the exam.
For other recruitment tests administered by IBPS, follow that employer’s notification. This page teaches English skills; it does not cover the complete recruitment syllabus, professional knowledge or local-language tests.
YOUR ENGLISH TOOLKIT
These are ESS preparation topics, not a promise that every question type will appear in every exam. Begin untimed and focus on evidence and accuracy.
Find the main idea, locate evidence and avoid unsupported inferences.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Read the question, find the relevant sentence, then compare every option with the passage. An answer can sound sensible and still lack evidence.
Full reading comprehension lesson · examples & 8 questions →
Use grammar and paragraph logic to complete a connected text.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Read the complete paragraph before filling the gaps. Check the grammatical form, then ask whether the word expresses purpose, contrast, result or addition.
Check agreement, verb forms and prepositions one part at a time.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Find the subject and main verb first. Ignore distracting nouns inside phrases such as of the reports. Choose No error when every part is correct; do not force a correction.
Choose an accurate replacement while preserving the intended meaning.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Read the whole sentence before evaluating the marked phrase. Check agreement, tense, word order and collocation. If the original phrase works, choose No improvement.
Connect opening statements, references, reasons and conclusions.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Identify the sentence that introduces the topic. Then connect references such as it, this change and these results to their antecedents. Use logical sequence rather than familiar words alone.
Choose meanings, opposites and word partners using the sentence.
5 original questions · Untimed learning
Use the sentence to establish the required meaning and tone. Substitute each candidate mentally. A dictionary synonym may not fit the particular context.
Full vocabulary in context lesson · examples & 8 questions →
SMALL SETS. CLEAR EXPLANATIONS.
Original ESS drills, not previous-year questions or a full mock exam. Learning score: 1 point per correct answer, no negative marking. Revealed answers earn no point. Actual objective exams deduct one quarter of the marks assigned to a wrong answer; check your current handout.
Use the complete questions and answer explanations below. Interactive practice is available when JavaScript is enabled.
Starting a set resets this practice score. Results are for learning, not an exam score or cut-off prediction.
Choose a topic and start. Take your time; there is no countdown.
Review any rule or clue you missed, then try explaining it in your own words.
A district library introduced a booking system for its evening computer sessions. Previously, visitors queued without knowing whether a computer would be free. The new system let them reserve a slot by phone or at the reception desk. After six weeks, staff reported shorter queues and fewer visitors leaving without a session. However, some reserved computers remained empty because people did not cancel unwanted bookings. The library therefore introduced a reminder message and a simple cancellation option. It decided to review attendance for another month before expanding the system. Staff emphasised that walk-in visitors would still be offered any unreserved places.
What is the passage mainly about?
Answer B: The passage describes the trial, shorter queues, unused bookings and a response to that problem. It does not propose closing the room or banning walk-ins.
How could visitors reserve a session?
Answer C: The passage explicitly gives two routes: by phone and at the reception desk. An app, email and a payment requirement are not mentioned.
Why were some reserved computers empty?
Answer D: The stated problem is that unwanted reservations were not cancelled. The other explanations introduce facts absent from the passage.
Which conclusion is supported?
Answer E: The decision to review attendance for another month supports a cautious evaluation. The passage does not report the reminder’s results or universal success.
In the final sentence, “unreserved” most nearly means:
Answer A: An unreserved place has not been booked. Here it may be offered to a walk-in visitor; the word does not mean broken or unavailable.
A community centre began a weekly reading group (1) ___ encourage adults to read regularly. At first, attendance was low. The organiser asked members (2) ___ prevented them from coming. Several said the session started too early, (3) ___ the centre moved it to the evening. Attendance improved after the change. (4) ___, the organiser continued collecting feedback rather than assuming the problem was permanently solved. The experience showed the importance of (5) ___ to participants before making decisions.
Choose the word for gap (1).
Answer A: To + base verb expresses purpose: began a group to encourage reading. For would need a different structure, such as for the purpose of encouraging.
Choose the word for gap (2).
Answer B: What is the subject of prevented in the embedded question: what prevented them? Which would need a specified choice or a following noun here; the other words do not express the obstacle.
Choose the word for gap (3).
Answer C: So introduces the resulting action: the centre changed the time because members said it was too early. Despite cannot directly introduce this full clause.
Choose the expression for gap (4).
Answer D: Nevertheless shows that feedback continued despite improved attendance. The sentence contrasts success with continued caution; it is not an example or a restatement.
Choose the word for gap (5).
Answer E: The preposition of is followed by the -ing form listening. “The importance of listening to participants” is the complete noun phrase.
Select the part with an error: (A) Each of the reports / (B) have been checked / (C) by the supervisor / (D) this morning.
Answer B: Each is singular, so use has been checked. Reports belongs to the of-phrase and does not determine the main verb.
Select the part with an error: (A) The manager / (B) asked us / (C) to submitted the form / (D) before Friday.
Answer C: After asked us to, use the base verb submit: asked us to submit. Submitted is a past-tense or past-participle form.
Select the part with an error: (A) The team / (B) discussed the proposal / (C) and agreed / (D) on the next step.
Answer E: All parts are correct. Discuss takes a direct object here: discussed the proposal. Agree on the next step is also a standard expression.
Select the part with an error: (A) She has worked / (B) at this branch / (C) since / (D) three years.
Answer C: Use for before a duration: for three years. Since introduces a starting point, such as since 2023. The duration itself is correctly expressed.
Select the part with an error: (A) The new process / (B) is more simpler / (C) than the old one / (D) for first-time users.
Answer B: Simpler already expresses a comparison, so use is simpler. Combining more with simpler creates a double comparative in standard English.
Replace “looking forward to meet”: We are looking forward to meet the new trainees.
Answer A: In look forward to, to is a preposition and is followed by an -ing form: looking forward to meeting. It is not an infinitive marker here.
Replace “despite of”: Despite of the delay, the team completed the task.
Answer B: Despite is followed directly by a noun phrase: despite the delay. In spite of is a different three-word expression; in spite alone is incomplete.
Replace “did not knew”: She did not knew about the change.
Answer C: After did not, use the base form know. Did already carries the past tense; knew would mark it a second time.
Replace “as soon than”: Please call me as soon than the meeting ends.
Answer D: As soon as introduces the time immediately after an event: as soon as the meeting ends. Than belongs to comparative patterns, not this expression.
Replace “has already sent”: The coordinator has already sent the revised schedule.
Answer E: Has already sent correctly uses has + past participle sent. The other options contain incorrect auxiliary or verb forms.
Arrange the sentences. P: This change reduced interruptions. Q: The office introduced a shared booking calendar. R: Previously, staff often reserved the same room twice. S: It allowed everyone to check availability before booking.
Answer A: R introduces the problem. Q introduces the solution, S explains how the calendar worked, and P states the result. It in S refers to the calendar.
Arrange the sentences. P: Several readers said the text was too small. Q: The team therefore enlarged the font. R: A second trial showed that the instructions were easier to read. S: Volunteers first tested the draft leaflet.
Answer B: S establishes the first test, P gives feedback, Q describes the response, and R reports the second trial. Therefore in Q depends on the problem in P.
Arrange the sentences. P: As a result, more people completed the course. Q: They then added short review sessions. R: The tutors noticed that learners forgot earlier material. S: These sessions revisited key ideas at the start of each class.
Answer C: R identifies the learning problem. Q introduces review sessions, S explains those sessions, and P gives the outcome. These sessions requires Q before S.
Arrange the sentences. P: The next morning, the librarian checked the returned books. Q: She then placed the undamaged copies on the shelves. R: A visitor had returned a box of books the previous evening. S: Two damaged copies were set aside for repair.
Answer D: R sets the earlier event and P the next morning’s inspection. S explains which copies were separated, and Q returns the remaining undamaged copies to the shelves.
Arrange the sentences. P: The group finally chose the site near the bus stop. Q: One was cheaper, while the other was easier to reach. R: Accessibility mattered most because many members used public transport. S: The organisers compared two possible venues.
Answer E: S introduces two venues, Q contrasts them, R explains the deciding criterion, and P gives the final choice. One and the other in Q depend on the two venues in S.
“The revised instructions were concise, so readers found the key points quickly.” Concise most nearly means:
Answer A: Concise means expressing the needed information briefly and clearly. The sentence’s quick access to key points supports this meaning, not repetition or confusion.
“The committee was reluctant to approve the plan without more evidence.” Reluctant most nearly means:
Answer B: Reluctant describes hesitation or unwillingness. The sentence supplies a reason for caution, but does not say approval was legally forbidden or impossible.
“The figures are provisional and may change.” Which word is closest to the opposite of provisional here?
Answer C: Provisional means temporary or subject to confirmation. Final is the best opposite here; temporary and preliminary have a similar sense to provisional.
“The explanation was explicit.” Which word is closest to the opposite of explicit here?
Answer D: Explicit means clearly stated. Vague means lacking clarity or precision, so it is the best opposite. The other options align more closely with explicit.
Choose the natural word partner: The team must ___ the deadline.
Answer E: Meet a deadline means finish by the required time. Arrive, perform and conduct do not form this expression, and reach to the deadline is not standard here.
FOR RELEVANT DESCRIPTIVE PAPERS
PO XVI includes essay and comprehension. SPL XVI includes an English descriptive paper for several roles; Rajbhasha’s descriptive paper tests Professional Knowledge. Use the current role-specific handout for the exact task, length and instructions.
Original prompt: How can public services become easier to use while continuing to support people who are not confident with technology?
Position: Offer simple digital routes alongside human help. Idea 1: Clear forms and assisted booking reduce avoidable confusion. Idea 2: Keep a phone or reception option for users who need it. Limitation: Extra support needs staff time; measure recurring problems and improve instructions. Conclusion: Success means wider usable access, not digital uptake alone.
Check relevance, paragraph order, supporting examples, agreement, tense and punctuation. Do not invent statistics. This is guidance, not a model score.
Use the library-booking passage in the Reading set. Explain one benefit, one remaining problem and the library’s response.
Aim for 60–80 words for this ESS exercise. This is a practice length, not an official IBPS word limit.
The booking trial helped visitors obtain computer sessions with less waiting, and fewer left without a session. Some people, however, kept reservations they no longer needed, leaving computers unused. The library responded with reminders and an easier way to cancel. It planned to collect another month of attendance evidence before deciding whether to expand the system, while continuing to offer unbooked places to walk-in visitors.
Check that all three requested points are included. Avoid claiming the reminders had already solved the problem: the passage does not establish that result.
A REPEATABLE START
Use this as a starting routine, then spend more time on the errors you actually make. Session lengths are your choice.
CHECK THE CURRENT RULES
Exam structures can change. Use the latest notification, corrections, information handout and call letter for your cycle. Apply, download official documents and check results only through the official routes.
No. All questions here are original ESS learning exercises. They are not supplied or endorsed by IBPS and do not reproduce an official paper.
No. These short, untimed drills show which explanations to review. They do not predict an official score, cut-off, rank or selection.
Start with grammar foundations and short passages. Use the Beginner Roadmap, grammar lessons and word collection alongside these drills.
