If you’re preparing for any competitive exam, you must be aware of the importance of the General English section. Whether it's SSC, Bank, UPSC, or even state-level tests, this portion can improve your score significantly. A strong hold over the language enhances your communication skills and helps you in clearing the cut-off easily. But the large number of subtopics can lead to confusion about choosing which areas to focus on. Let’s make it easy for you.
Here are the top 10 General English topics you must be thorough with to crack competitive exams in one go.
1. Reading Comprehension
This topic is scoring if you practice well. Focus on increasing your reading speed, skimming through the passages, and understanding the idea behind the unseen passage. Refer to a trustworthy Objective General English book that include multiple passages to train you effectively.
2. Synonyms and Antonyms
Vocabulary-based questions are asked in every exam. You should develop the habit of learning at least 5 new words daily, as well as their synonyms and antonyms. With a reliable book that includes vocabulary lists for regular practice, you can easily master the segment.
3. Error Spotting
Your ability to spot errors shows how good you are at grammar. Pay attention to every tiny rule, from subject-verb agreement to article usage. You should choose a resource that teaches you how to spot errors quickly and even provides you with explanations.
4. Sentence Improvement
Here, you’re asked to replace awkward or incorrect sentences with better alternatives. Practicing from an objective general English guide can make a huge difference in mastering this section.
5. Fill in the Blanks
These questions test your vocabulary and grammar at the same time. You can practice fill-in-the-blank exercises regularly from an authentic general English book for daily revision. Such a book helps you strengthen your base and improve your performance.
6. Cloze Test
Cloze tests can be tricky. But you can manage them by practicing regularly. They assess your contextual understanding of grammar and vocabulary. Look for a book that covers this under its objective general English section.
Read More: Complete Guide to General English for SSC CGL, CHSL, Banking & RRB Exams
7. Para Jumbles
Arrange the sentences logically to form a coherent paragraph. Focus on connectors and transition words. This topic improves with mock test practice and concept clarity.
8. Idioms and Phrases
Knowing common idioms not only helps in comprehension but is also useful in descriptive writing. Any high-quality book will include idioms with meanings and usage.
9. One-Word Substitution
This topic tests your vocabulary depth. For example, “a person who talks too much” can be simply written as “loquacious.” You can also make flashcards for regular practice and better retention.
10. Active and Passive Voice
Questions from this topic are commonly asked in all exams. You must clearly understand the transformation rules and practice with exercises from a reliable source for the best results.
These are some of the most crucial topics asked in the General English section. You must refer to a trustworthy resource including previous years’ questions and answer explanations. This will help you understand the exam pattern easily and get ready with confidence.