English for Competitive Exams: Concept, Syllabus, & Questions

English for Competitive Exams hits completely differently from the English you learn in school. Here, the grammar is not cute at all, it’s Active-Passive traps, RC passages that feel like they were written to test your patience, and much more waiting to expose your ‘I know English’ confidence. Competitive exam English is trickier and designed to check how sharp you actually are under pressure. That’s why mastering English for Competitive Exams is its own skill. This blog breaks down the syllabus, core concepts, and scoring strategies so you stop losing marks and finally dominate the section like a pro.

Syllabus Coverage for Competitive Exams 2026-27

English is one of the most scoring sections in competitive exams when prepared with consistency and practice. The English section in the 2026–27 syllabus evaluates a candidate’s command of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Strong proficiency not only improves accuracy but also saves valuable time for other sections. Regular practice of grammar rules and comprehension-based questions helps candidates secure higher marks efficiently.

Most exams assess verbal skills through topics such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, prepositions, conjunctions, active and passive voice, reported speech, diction, and vocabulary. A strong foundation in these areas is essential for exams like UPSC, SSC, banking, defence, and state-level tests, as well as international exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. To understand these topics better, let us list them and then explore each in detail.

A. Vocabulary

• Synonyms and Antonyms
• One Word Substitutions
• Idioms and Phrases
• Homophones/Homonyms
• Confusing Words
• Multiple Meaning Words
• Cloze Test (blend of vocabulary and comprehension)

B. Grammar

• Spotting the Error
• Sentence Correction Questions
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Rules for Tenses
• Prepositions & Conjunctions (including List of Prepositions)
• Active and Passive Voice
• Reported Speech (Direct & Indirect)
• Modals
• Clauses
• Adjectives & Adverbs
• Omission (missing words/grammar errors)
• Poetic Devices (occasionally in SSC, teaching exams)

C. Reading Comprehension & Structure

• Reading Comprehension 
• Sentence Rearrangement & Para jumbles
• Paragraph Completion
• Comprehension-based Vocabulary
• How to Write Articles (exam-specific descriptive structure)

D. Descriptive Writing (for UPSC, SSC CGL Tier-III, and State PSCs)

• Essay Writing
• Letter/Application Writing (formal & informal, including formats)
• Precis Writing

E. Common Error Types to Master

• Competitive exams often include direct questions on error spotting. Candidates should focus on:
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Parallelism
• Verb Forms
• Modifiers
• Grammatical Construction
• Diction
• Logical Prediction
• Idioms
• Rhetorical Construction
• Vocabulary

Concepts and Examples for Important Chapters of English in Competitive Exams

Many aspirants often know the topics listed in the syllabus but struggle with applying them effectively in exams. Understanding the core concepts behind each chapter and practising real examples can transform a daunting section into one of the most scoring. Concept and examples for important chapters of the English section delve into the essential chapters of English, explaining key ideas, common patterns, and illustrative examples that clarify how questions are framed. By connecting theory with practice, candidates can confidently tackle both grammar and comprehension-based questions.

Next, we will explore the major concepts and examples from each important chapter, helping you build clarity and accuracy for the competitive exam.

1. Active and Passive Voice

Active and passive voice are two ways of presenting a sentence. In the active voice, the subject performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. Competitive exams often test your ability to identify, convert, or correct sentences in active and passive voice.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand active and passive voice conversions:

Type of Active and Passive Voice	Active Voice	Passive Voice	Rule of Type of Active and Passive Voice
Present Simple	The teacher explains the lesson.	The lesson is explained by the teacher.	In present simple, use am/is/are + past participle for passive.
Future Simple	They will complete the project tomorrow.	The project will be completed by them tomorrow.	In future simple, use will + be + past participle for passive.
Past Simple	She wrote a letter to her friend.	A letter was written to her friend by her.	In past simple, use was/were + past participle for passive.
Present Continuous	She is reading a book.	A book is being read by her.	Use am/is/are + being + past participle.
Past Continuous	They were playing football.	Football was being played by them.	Use was/were + being + past participle.
Present Perfect	He has completed the work.	The work has been completed by him.	Use has/have + been + past participle.
Modal Verbs	She can solve the problem.	The problem can be solved by her.	Use modal + be + past participle.

Explore: Active and Passive Voice Rules for All Tenses

2. Reported Speech (Direct & Indirect)

Reported Speech is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting them directly. In competitive exams, questions often involve converting direct speech into indirect speech and vice versa. This requires attention to tense, pronouns, and time expressions.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand active and passive voice conversions:

Type of Direct and Indirect Speech	Direct Speech	Indirect Speech	Rule of Direct and Indirect Speech
Statement	She said I am studying for the exam.	She said that she was studying for the exam.	Present tense in direct speech changes to past tense in indirect speech.
Future Statement	He said I will complete the project tomorrow.	He said that he would complete the project the next day.	Will changes to would; time expressions often change (tomorrow → the next day).
Command / Request	Do not touch the equipment, said the teacher.	The teacher told them not to touch the equipment.	Use reporting verbs like told, asked; infinitive form for commands/requests.
Question	Where are you going, asked Ramesh.	Ramesh asked where I was going.	Question word order changes; tense usually shifts back.
Yes/No Question	Did you complete the homework, asked the teacher.	The teacher asked if I had completed the homework.	Use if or whether for yes/no questions; tense backshift applies.

Explore: Active and Passive Voice Rules for All Tenses

3. Modals

Modals are auxiliary verbs that express ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation. Competitive exams often test candidates on correct usage, sentence formation, and error spotting with modals like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would. Understanding their subtle differences is essential for accuracy.

Examples:

Let us delve into some examples to understand active and passive voice conversions:

Type of Modal Verb	Example	Meaning of Type of Modal Verb
Can	She can solve this problem easily.	Ability or capability.
Could	He could finish the work yesterday.	Past ability or polite possibility.
May	May I use your pen?	Permission or possibility.
Might	He might come to the meeting.	Possibility (less certain than may).
Must	You must submit the assignment today.	Necessity, obligation, or strong recommendation.
Shall	I shall attend the seminar.	Formal future action or offer.
Should	You should follow the rules.	Advice or recommendation.
Will	She will complete the task tomorrow.	Future action or determination.
Would	He would help if asked.	Polite request, habitual past action, or hypothetical situation.

Also Read: Modals Explained with Examples

4. Clauses

Clauses are groups of words containing a subject and a verb. They form the building blocks of sentences. Competitive exams often test knowledge of independent and dependent clauses, and the correct use of noun, adjective, and adverbial clauses in sentence construction. Understanding clauses is essential for error spotting, sentence correction, and comprehension-based questions.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand the Clause from the following:

Type of Clause	Example	Use of Clause
Independent Clause	She enjoys reading books.	Can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Dependent Clause	Because she enjoys reading books, she visits the library often.	Cannot stand alone; depends on an independent clause.
Noun Clause	What he said surprised everyone.	Functions as a noun (subject, object, or complement).
Adjective Clause	The book that she borrowed is interesting.	Modifies a noun or pronoun; often introduced by relative pronouns (who, which, that).
Adverbial Clause	I stayed home because it was raining.	Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb; expresses time, reason, condition, manner, or place.

5. Adjectives 

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns and pronouns. Competitive exams often test their correct usage, placement, and degrees of comparison. A strong command over adjectives helps in error spotting, sentence correction, and descriptive writing.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand adjectives:

Type of Adjective	Example	Use of Adjectives
Descriptive Adjective	She has a beautiful painting.	Describes quality, colour, size, shape, etc. of a noun.
Quantitative Adjective	He bought three books.	Specifies quantity or number.
Comparative Adjective	This exam is easier than the last one.	Compares two nouns; often ends with -er or uses more.
Superlative Adjective	She is the smartest student in the class.	Compares three or more nouns; often ends with -est or uses most.
Compound Adjective	It was a well-known author who visited our school.	Formed by combining two or more words to modify a noun.
Demonstrative Adjective	I like this book.	Points out specific nouns (this, that, these, those).
Possessive Adjective	Her bag is new.	Shows ownership or possession (my, your, his, her, its, our, their).
Interrogative Adjective	Which book do you prefer?	Used in questions (which, what, whose).
Proper Adjective	She is a Shakespearean scholar.	Derived from proper nouns; capitalised.

Explore: Understand Adjectives

6. Adverbs

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They describe how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. Competitive exams test adverbs in error spotting, sentence correction, and comprehension-based questions.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand adverbs:

a. Adverb of Manner: She sings beautifully.

b. Adverb of Time: He will arrive tomorrow.

c. Adverb of Place: The children are playing outside.

d. Adverb of Degree: She is extremely talented.

e. Comparative Adverb: He runs faster than his brother.

7. Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement ensures that the verb matches the subject in number (singular/plural) and person (first, second, third). Competitive exams often test this through error spotting, sentence correction, and comprehension questions. A strong understanding helps avoid common grammatical mistakes.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand Subject-Verb Agreement:

Type of Subject	Example	Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular Subject	The list of items is on the table.	Singular subjects take singular verbs.
Plural Subject	The students are preparing for exams.	Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Compound Subject	The teacher and the principal are attending the meeting.	Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb.
Collective Noun	The team is winning the match.	Collective nouns may take singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as one unit (singular) or individually (plural).
Indefinite Pronouns	Everyone is excited about the trip.	Indefinite pronouns like everyone, each, somebody take singular verbs.
Subjects with or /“nor	Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.	Verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Expressions of Quantity	Ten rupees is enough for lunch.	Amounts of money, time, distance usually take singular verbs.

Explore: Subject-Verb Agreement in English

8. Parallelism

Parallelism refers to using the same grammatical structure for related words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. Competitive exams often test this in error spotting, sentence correction, and sentence completion questions. Maintaining parallel structure ensures clarity, balance, and readability.

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand parallelism:

Type of Paralleism	Correct	Incorrect	Rule of Type of Parallelism
Listing verbs	She likes reading, writing, and jogging.	She likes reading, to write, and jogging.	All verbs in a list should be in the same form.
Verb phrases	He is responsible for planning, organising, and leading the team.	He is responsible for planning, organising, and to lead the team.	Maintain the same grammatical structure across phrases.
Adjectives	The project is innovative, efficient, and cost-effective.	The project is innovative, efficient, and runs on budget.	Adjectives in a series should match in form.
Nouns	She enjoys music, painting, and literature.	She enjoys music, painting, and to read literature.	All items in a series should be in the same grammatical category.
Clauses	He said that he would come, that he would help, and that he would stay.	He said that he would come, that he would help, and staying.	Parallel structure applies to clauses as well.

9. Rules for Tenses

Tenses indicate the time of action in a sentence. Competitive exams often test correct usage of present, past, future, and their continuous and perfect forms. A strong grasp of tenses is essential for sentence correction, error spotting, and comprehension-based questions.

The table given below provides a complete overview of all 12 English tense forms, their structures, examples, and rules, making it easy to understand and apply for exams and daily usage.

Tense	Structure of Tense	Example	Rule of Tenses
Present Simple	Subject + base verb (add s/es for third person singular)	She writes daily.	For habitual actions, universal truths, general facts.
Present Continuous	Subject + is/are/am + verb-ing	She is writing a letter.	Actions happening at the moment of speaking or temporary actions.
Present Perfect	Subject + has/have + past participle	She has written three letters.	Actions completed at an unspecified time before now; emphasis on result.
Present Perfect Continuous	Subject + has/have + been + verb-ing	She has been writing for 2 hours.	Actions that started in the past and are continuing or recently stopped, with focus on duration.
Past Simple	Subject + past form of verb	She wrote a letter yesterday.	Actions completed in the past at a definite time.
Past Continuous	Subject + was/were + verb-ing	She was writing when I called.	Past actions in progress at a specific time or interrupted actions.
Past Perfect	Subject + had + past participle	She had written the letter before he arrived.	Actions completed before another past action.
Past Perfect Continuous	Subject + had + been + verb-ing	She had been writing for 2 hours before he arrived.	Past actions in progress before another past action, emphasizing duration.
Future Simple	Subject + will/shall + base verb	She will write a letter tomorrow.	Actions that will happen in the future; predictions, promises, decisions.
Future Continuous	Subject + will + be + verb-ing	She will be writing at 5 pm.	Actions that will be in progress at a specific future time.
Future Perfect	Subject + will + have + past participle	She will have written the letter by 6 pm.	Actions that will be completed before a specific future time.
Future Perfect Continuous	Subject + will + have + been + verb-ing	She will have been writing for 2 hours by 6 pm.	Duration of an action continuing up to a specific future time.

10. Prepositions 

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. Competitive exams often test the correct usage of prepositions, prepositional phrases, and error spotting. Mastery of prepositions is important for sentence correction, reading comprehension, and writing tasks.

List of Common Prepositions:

Let us learn some important prepositions from the following list of common prepositions 

Preposition	Use / Example
In	Place or time: She is in the room. / We meet in July.
On	Position or day: The book is on the table. / He was born on Monday.
At	Specific time or place: Meet me at 5 pm. / She is at the park.
By	Agent or means: The book was written by her. / Travel by train.
For	Purpose or duration: This gift is for you. / He waited for two hours.
From	Source or starting point: She comes from India. / From morning to night.
To	Direction or recipient: Go to school. / Give it to him.
With	Accompaniment or instrument: She came with her friend. / Write with a pen.
About	Topic or concern: We talked about the project.
Over	Position above or excess: The lamp hangs over the table. / Over 50 people attended.
Under	Position below: The cat is under the chair.
Between	Position among two: Sit between John and me.
Among	Position within more than two: She is among friends.
During	Time period: No talking during class.
Until	Up to a point in time: Wait until I come.
Since	Starting point: He has lived here since 2010.
Of	Possession or relation: The cover of the book.
Along	Movement with direction: Walk along the river.
Across	Movement from one side to another: She ran across the road.

Explore: Preposition and Prepositional Phrases

11. Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. Competitive exams often test the correct use of coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions. Learning conjunctions is important for sentence correction, error spotting, and constructing complex sentences in different competition. 

Examples:

Here are some examples to understand conjunctions:

Type of Conjunctions	Conjunctions	Example
Coordinating Conjunctions	for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so	She wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining.
Subordinating Conjunctions	because, although, though, since, if, unless, while, when, after, before, until, as, even though	I stayed home because it was raining.
Correlative Conjunctions	either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also, whether…or, as…as	Either you study hard or you will fail.
Conjunctive Adverbs / Transitional Conjunctions	however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless, otherwise, meanwhile, hence, thus, besides	She was tired; however, she completed her homework.
Conjunctions for Comparison	than, as…as, rather than, whether…or	He is taller than his brother.
Conjunctions for Condition	if, unless, provided that, in case, even if	You can come if you finish your work.
Conjunctions for Purpose	so that, in order that	She whispered so that no one could hear.
Conjunctions for Time / Sequence	when, while, as soon as, before, after, until, once, since	Call me when you arrive.
Conjunctions for Reason / Cause	because, since, as, seeing that	He was late because of traffic.
Conjunctions for Result / Effect	so, therefore, as a result, consequently	It rained heavily, so the match was postponed.

Also Read: Types of Conjunction: Definition, Types, Examples, & Exercises PDF

12. Modifiers

Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe, qualify, or limit another word in a sentence. Competitive exams often test placement and usage of modifiers through sentence correction and error spotting questions. Correct use of modifiers enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Example:

Here are some examples to understand Modifiers

Type of Modifiers	Example	Note
Correct Placement	She wore a bright red dress.	Modifier is placed next to the word it describes.
Incorrect Placement	She wore a dress bright red.	Modifier is misplaced, causing awkwardness or confusion.
Correct Phrase Modifier	Running quickly, he reached the station on time.	The phrase correctly modifies the subject.
Incorrect Phrase Modifier	He reached the station running quickly on time.	Modifier placement causes confusion about what is being described.
Dangling Modifier	Walking to the park, he noticed it was starting to rain.	Corrected version; ensures modifier clearly relates to the subject.

Explore: What Are Modifiers in English?

13. Cloze Test

A Cloze Test is a unique combination of fill-in-the-blanks and reading comprehension. It consists of a passage with missing words that candidates must accurately fill. This section is a key component of English for competitive exams, testing grammar, vocabulary, context understanding, and logical reasoning.

Tips for Exams:

To excel in Cloze Tests for competitive exams:

• Read the passage carefully to grasp the overall flow and meaning.
• Link sentences logically to determine the correct word for each blank.
• Identify the type of word required—noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, based on grammar, tense, prepositions, and context.
• Consider the tone and style of the passage to eliminate incorrect options.
• Highlight keywords that are repeated or emphasised to guide your choices.

Example:

Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Scientists warn that if greenhouse gas emissions are not _______ (1) immediately, the planet will face severe consequences. Rising temperatures lead to melting glaciers, _______ (2) sea levels, and frequent extreme weather events. Human activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, contribute significantly to this problem. It is essential that governments and individuals work together to _______ (3) sustainable solutions. Renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, public awareness campaigns can _______ (4) people to adopt eco-friendly habits. Without immediate action, future generations will _______ (5) the negative effects of climate change.

Answers:

• Curbed: Indicates controlling or reducing emissions.
• Rising: Describes the effect on sea levels.
• Implement: Refers to putting sustainable solutions into practice.
• Encourage: Motivates people to adopt eco-friendly habits.
• Bear: Signifies that future generations will experience the consequences.

Also Read: Cloze Passage Worksheet

14. Idioms & Phrases

Idioms and phrases can be another bewildering topic you might encounter while preparing for English for competitive exams. English idioms and phrases can be quite complex to understand and tackle, there are some useful tricks that can help you memorise them easily. 

Here is a list of hacks and tricks that can assist you in remembering idioms and phrases as well as their meanings.

• Comprehend the context of an idiom or phrase, especially in the situation in which it is used. The most important quality of idioms and phrases is that they are situational, and contextual as well as might suit one situation or even more than that.
• Don’t mug up idioms, phrases and their meanings but try to build up a story or visual around them which will help you remember them in the long run.
• You can also delve deeper into an idiom or phrase and its origins which can further assist you in cracking this section of English for Competitive exams.

Examples:

Here are some examples to important Idioms and Phrases.

Idioms and Phrases	Meaning	Example
Break the ice	To initiate a conversation	He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.
Bite the bullet	To face a difficult situation bravely	She decided to bite the bullet and confront her boss.
Hit the nail on the head	To describe exactly the cause of a problem	Your explanation hit the nail on the head.
Under the weather	Feeling unwell	I am feeling under the weather today.
Burn the midnight oil	To work late into the night	She burned the midnight oil to finish her project.
A blessing in disguise	Something good that seemed bad initially	Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
A dime a dozen	Something common	These souvenirs are a dime a dozen in the market.
Beat around the bush	Avoid talking about the main topic	Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.
Better late than never	It’s better to do something late than not at all	He finally apologized; better late than never.
Call it a day	To stop working	Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.
Cut corners	To do something poorly to save time/money	Don’t cut corners on quality work.
Easy does it	Slow down	Easy does it while handling the fragile glass.
Get out of hand	Become uncontrolled	The party got out of hand last night.
Get something off your chest	To tell someone your worries	I need to get this off my chest; I’ve been stressed all week.
Go the extra mile	To make extra effort	She always goes the extra mile for her clients.
Hit the sack	To go to bed	I am exhausted; time to hit the sack.
In the nick of time	Just in time	He arrived at the station in the nick of time.
Jump on the bandwagon	Join a trend	Everyone is investing in stocks; he decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Keep an eye on	Watch carefully	Keep an eye on the baby while I cook.
Kill two birds with one stone	Achieve two things at once	By walking to school, I kill two birds with one stone: exercise and commute.
Let the cat out of the bag	Reveal a secret	She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Miss the boat	Miss an opportunity	He missed the boat by not applying on time.
No pain, no gain	Success requires effort	You have to study hard; no pain, no gain.
On the ball	Alert and competent	The new manager is really on the ball.
Pull someone’s leg	Joke or tease someone	Don’t worry, I was just pulling your leg.
Sit on the fence	Avoid taking sides	He always sits on the fence during arguments.
Speak of the devil	Someone appears while being talked about	Speak of the devil, here comes John.
Spill the beans	Reveal secret information	Who spilled the beans about the plan?
Take it with a grain of salt	Don’t take it too seriously	Take his advice with a grain of salt.
The ball is in your court	It’s your decision now	I’ve done my part; the ball is in your court.
The best of both worlds	Enjoy two advantages at once	Working part-time gives her the best of both worlds.
Time flies	Time passes quickly	Time flies when you’re having fun.
To get bent out of shape	Get upset or angry	Don’t get bent out of shape over small mistakes.
To make a long story short	Summarize	To make a long story short, we missed the train.
Under the table	Secretly, usually illegally	He was paid under the table.
Up in the air	Uncertain	Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
A penny for your thoughts	Asking what someone is thinking	You seem quiet; a penny for your thoughts?
Barking up the wrong tree	Pursuing the wrong idea	He’s barking up the wrong tree if he thinks I’ll help.
Bite off more than you can chew	Take on too much	Don’t bite off more than you can chew with this project.
Break the bank	Spend all your money	Buying a new car won’t break the bank.
By the skin of your teeth	Just barely	He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
Cold feet	Nervous or hesitant	She got cold feet before the wedding.
Cut to the chase	Get to the point	Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the budget.
Face the music	Accept the consequences	He has to face the music for missing the deadline.
Hang in there	Don’t give up	Hang in there; things will get better.
In hot water	In trouble	He found himself in hot water after the incident.
On thin ice	In a risky situation	You are on thin ice with the boss.
Out of the blue	Unexpectedly	She called me out of the blue yesterday.
Steal someone’s thunder	Take credit for someone else’s work	He stole my thunder by presenting my idea.
Through thick and thin	Support in good and bad times	She stood by me through thick and thin.
When pigs fly	Something impossible	He’ll apologize when pigs fly.
Your guess is as good as mine	I don’t know either	Who will win the match? Your guess is as good as mine.

Explore: Common Idioms for IELTS Writing Task 2

15. One-word Substitution

One-word substitution tests your vocabulary and contextual understanding by asking you to replace a phrase or description with a single word. Frequent practice through sample papers, mock tests, and reading newspapers can strengthen your ability to solve these questions accurately. This topic is especially significant for exams like SSC CGL, UPSC, Banking, and State-level tests.

Example:  Let us learn about some important one-word substitution words from the following:

One-Word Substitution	Meaning
Imbroglio	A complex situation or mix-up
Recluse	A person who lives in solitude
Rejuvenate	Make someone feel young
Remiss	Not showing enough care or attention
Kennel	A shelter for a dog
Lair	Where wild animals live
Mint	A place where coins are made
Mundane	Ordinary and dull
Narcissist	A person who loves himself the most
Posse	A group of people (informal, often supporters or companions)
Altruist	A person who is selflessly concerned for others
Bibliophile	A person who loves or collects books
Cynic	A person who believes people are motivated by self-interest
Eloquent	Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
Frugal	Someone who is careful with money
Glutton	A person who eats excessively
Hermit	A person living in solitude for religious reasons
Jovial	Cheerful and friendly
Mentor	An experienced and trusted adviser
Optimist	A person who expects the best outcome
Pessimist	A person who expects the worst outcome
Philanthropist	Someone who helps others with money or resources
Prodigy	A young person with exceptional talent
Skeptic	A person inclined to doubt or question everything
Vagabond	A person who wanders from place to place without a pahome

Explore: Questions of One Word Substitutes

16. Sentence Correction

In English for competitive exams, you will come across sentence correction questions that many find confusing and complex to solve. This topic depends upon various other grammar concepts such as subject-verb agreement, modifiers, and tenses, amongst others. While practising this topic, some of the essential tips you can utilise are:

• Start with locating errors in the questions, they might be in the structure, placement of verbs, or even in dictions (affect instead of effect).
• Once you have found the error, the next thing is to eliminate the wrong options.
• Sometimes the shorter answer is the right one because long options are added to confuse the student. So, choose accordingly. 
• Substitute your answer within the sentence and see if it makes sense. If it does, select it otherwise go through the sentence again and reconsider the other options.

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence	Rule
The teacher explain the lesson clearly.	The teacher explains the lesson clearly.	Subject-verb agreement: singular subject requires singular verb.
He has went to the market yesterday.	He has gone to the market yesterday.	Correct past participle form with has/have.
She is good in playing chess.	She is good at playing chess.	Correct preposition usage: good at not good in.
I am agree with your opinion.	I agree with your opinion.	Do not use am with agree.
They was late to the meeting.	They were late to the meeting.	Subject-verb agreement for plural subject.
She don’t like coffee.	She doesn’t like coffee.	Correct auxiliary verb for third-person singular.
He can sings very well.	He can sing very well.	Modal verbs are followed by base verb.
I look forward to meet you.	I look forward to meeting you.	Use gerund after look forward to.
We discussed about the plan.	We discussed the plan.	Discuss does not take about.
There is many problems in this task.	There are many problems in this task.	Subject-verb agreement: plural subject requires are.

17. Reading Comprehension

As a prominent inclusion under English for competitive exams, Reading Comprehension comprises a passage which is then followed by certain objective or multiple-choice questions that the test-taker needs to answer.The useful tips and tricks for nailing Reading Comprehension are as follows:

• Narrow down a central idea that has been talked about in the passage.
• Comprehend the context of the paragraph and note down the key pointers discussed.
• While solving questions, use those key pointers and once you have found the answers, connect them with the content of the passage to recheck.
• For synonym or antonym-related questions, choose the option which suits the content of the passage and your vocabulary will also play a pivotal role in finding the right answer for these types of questions.

Comprehension

Let us practice for reading comprehension from the passage given below:

Education is the key to personal and societal growth. A well-rounded education equips individuals with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ability to make informed decisions. Besides academic learning, education also fosters social awareness and ethical responsibility. In today’s rapidly changing world, lifelong learning has become essential to stay updated with technological advances and global developments. Countries with higher literacy rates tend to have better economic growth, lower poverty, and improved health outcomes. Thus, education not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the foundations of society.

Part A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Find the correct answer of the following questions given below.

1. What is the main purpose of education according to the passage?

a) To make people wealthy

b) To equip individuals with knowledge and critical thinking skills

c) To entertain students

d) To reduce the population

2. Besides academic learning, education fosters _______.

a) Sports skills

b) Social awareness and ethical responsibility

c) Financial management

d) Only technological skills

3. Lifelong learning is necessary because _______.

a) Schooling is sufficient

b) People want hobbies

c) Technological advances and global developments are ongoing

d) It helps in memorizing facts

Part B: True / False

1. Countries with higher literacy rates tend to have lower poverty and better economic growth.

2. Education only benefits individuals and not society.

Part C: Short Answer

1. How does a well-rounded education help individuals make informed decisions?

2. What role does education play in today’s rapidly changing world?

Part D: Vocabulary / One-Word Substitution

1. A person who always seeks knowledge and learning – _______

2. The act of improving the overall health, economy, or literacy of a society – _______

Part E: Sentence Correction

1. Incorrect: Education help individuals make better decisions.

2. Incorrect: Countries with higher literacy rate tends to have improved health outcomes.

Explore: Comprehension Questions

Competitive Exam Books for English

Choosing the right study material is crucial for English for competitive exams. High-quality books provide comprehensive coverage of grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence correction, and one-word substitutions. They also include practice exercises, previous years’ questions, and mock tests to help aspirants develop accuracy and speed.

Title of Book	Author or Publisher	Key Focus Area
Objective General English	S.P. Bakshi	Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
English Grammar and Composition	S.C. Gupta	Grammar rules with exercises
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Vocabulary building
Objective English for Competitive Examination	Hari Mohan Prasad & Uma Sinha	Objective-based questions
General English for All Competitive Course	S.C. Gupta	Basic to intermediate grammar
Tips and Techniques in English for Competitive Exams	Disha Experts	Exam strategies and techniques
Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Exams	Pulkit Khare	Essay writing and expression

SSC Books for English

The following SSC CGL books are perfect for the students preparing for one of the most renowned exams on a variety of topics like synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, sentence correction, idioms and phrases, spelling tests, and likewise.

Title of Book	Author or Publisher	Key Focus Areas
Competitive General English	Kiran Prakashan	Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Vocabulary, word roots, usage
Objective General English	S.P. Bakshi	Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, sentence correction
Previous Year Papers	MB Publications	Practice with actual SSC exam questions
Corrective English	A.K. Singh	Error spotting, idioms & phrases, spelling tests

English Books for UPSC

Here are some of the best books for the UPSC Exam’s English section that you can prepare from:

Book Title	Key Focus Areas
General English: A Book for UPSC and State Civil Services	Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary building
7 Years UPSC IAS/IPS Mains English	Previous years’ solved papers, exam-oriented practice
IAS Mains Compulsory English	Essays, précis writing, grammar
8 Years UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains English	Past papers with solutions, answer writing practice
Compulsory English	Essay, grammar, usage, comprehension
Lucent’s Prelims General Studies for UPSC and PCS	General English and GK for prelims

How to Improve General English for Competitive Exams?

Improving general English is a continuous process that requires the right habits, resources, and consistent practice. A strong command of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension is not built overnight but through smart strategies that fit into your daily routine. To learn in the similar area let us explore are a few tips and tricks to improve English for competitive exams: 

• Reading daily newspapers improves vocabulary, grammar usage, and awareness. Focus on editorials for in-depth language practice, highlight new words, and maintain a vocabulary journal.
• Daily or weekly revision of grammar rules ensures retention. Use flashcards, grammar quizzes, and apply these rules in daily writing for long-term learning.
• Practice Reading Comprehensions with time limits. Focus on linking words like however, in contrast, therefore, and in conclusion to understand the flow. Work from the questions back to the passage to save time.
• Learn at least 5 new words a day through books, apps, or newspapers. Revise them regularly and apply them in writing or conversations.
• Attempt mock papers to test your progress, improve time management, and build exam confidence.

English for competitive exams is not just a test of language but a measure of clarity, accuracy, and analytical ability. By combining the right study materials, consistent practice, and smart strategies, aspirants can transform English from a challenge into a scoring advantage. With dedication and the right approach, cracking the verbal section of any competitive exam becomes a realistic and achievable goal.

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