IBPS PO General Awareness: Grammar and Vocabulary questions with solutions

Q1. Our courts must ensure that they ______ the first line of defence against the ______ of the liberty of citizens.

1. diverge, influence, preference
2. continue, remain, deprivation
3. pursuing, support, amid
4. presence, progressive, cancelling

Answer: continue, remain, deprivation

The sentence needs a verb phrase for the first blank and a noun for the second blank. 'Continue, remain, deprivation' fits naturally as 'continue to remain the first line of defence against the deprivation of the liberty of citizens.' The other options are grammatically or semantically incorrect.

Q2. Laptop's name comes from lap, as it was deemed practical to be used on a person's lap when being used.

1. (A) - (C)
2. (C) - (D)
3. (B) - (C)
4. (A) - (D)

Answer: (B) - (C)

The sentence should read naturally as 'it was deemed practical to be used on a person's lap.' The incorrect part is the phrase around 'deemed practical', which is best corrected by replacing the marked segment indicated in the answer.

Q3. Cyclical companies, such as machinery companies Caterpillar and Eaton, as well as commodity chemical companies such as Dow, depend on the business cycle and the strength of the economy in order to grow.

1. A. & C.
2. B & E
3. D & E
4. C & D

Answer: D & E

The subject 'Cyclical companies' is plural, so the verb should be 'depend', not 'depends'. Also, 'strength for the economy' is incorrect; it should be 'strength of the economy'. Hence the errors are in parts D and E.

Q4. Union Minister launched a sustainable certification scheme (ZED) to __________ MSMEs to adopt 'Zero Defect Zero Effect' practices and become energy __________ while improving quality through increased __________. MSMEs can reduce wastages substantially, increase productivity, __________ environmental consciousness, save energy under the ZED certification scheme, a part of the MSME Champions scheme. The ZED certification scheme will be __________ towards improving quality, increasing manufacturing output and profits, and controlling the detrimental impact on the environment. Question: What will fill blank (89)?

1. carve
2. enhance
3. opulent
4. cite

Answer: enhance

The sentence requires a verb that fits the phrase '___ environmental consciousness'. 'Enhance' means improve or increase, which is grammatically and semantically correct. The other options do not fit the context.

Q5. In the following paragraph, there are blanks marked (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F). For each blank, choose the most appropriate word from the options that fits the sentence correctly. Over the past decade, social media influencers have emerged as powerful figures in digital marketing. Unlike traditional celebrities, influencers often cultivate niche audiences that deeply (A) ______ with their content. As their followings expand, many of them (B) ______ able to convert their personal brands into full-fledged businesses. Brands now recognize the unique ability of influencers to drive engagement and conversions. Rather than relying solely on generic advertisements, companies partner with influencers to deliver messages that feel more (C) ______ and trustworthy. These collaborations, when executed well, can lead to a significant (D) ______ in both brand visibility and consumer trust. However, it is crucial that influencers maintain authenticity. If followers sense that content is overly commercialized, the influencer's credibility (E) ______, thereby affecting the effectiveness of the partnership. For this reason, many successful influencers (F) ______ been trying to balance content and genuine storytelling. Select the correct option to fill in blank (B).

1. was
2. were
3. have been
4. had

Answer: have been

The subject 'many of them' is plural, so a plural auxiliary is needed. 'Have been' correctly shows a continuing action from the past to the present.

Q6. In the following sentence, there is a blank space. Below the sentence, there are four words, out of which one can be used to fill the blank to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Find the most appropriate word. The law ________ farmers not only to save and resow (multiply) seeds, but also to sell them to other farmers, no matter what the original source of the seed is.

1. coverts
2. implements
3. emits
4. permits

Answer: permits

The sentence says the law allows farmers to save, resow, and sell seeds. Among the options, only "permits" means allows or gives permission. The other words do not fit the meaning or grammar.

Q7. Following Taylor, we can rightly wonder why political power should be exercised, implemented and __________ without rules. Assertions of political power __________.

1. fickle
2. executed
3. finished
4. sabotage

Answer: executed

The sentence needs a verb that matches the idea of carrying out political power, and "executed" fits naturally with "exercised" and "implemented." The other words do not form a grammatically or semantically correct completion.

Q8. Corruption is both a major cause and a __________ (90) of poverty around the world. It occurs at all levels of society, from local and national governments, civil society, judiciary functions, large and small businesses, military and other services, and so on. Corruption __________ (91) the poorest the most, in rich or poor nations, though all elements of society are affected in some way as corruption __________ (92) political development, democracy, economic development, the environment, people’s health, and more. The issue of corruption is very much inter-related with other issues. At a global level, the international economic system that has shaped the current form of globalization in the past decades requires further __________ (93), for it has also created conditions whereby corruption can __________ (94) and exacerbate the conditions of people around the world who already have little say about __________ (95) own destiny. At a national level, people's effective participation and representation in society can be undermined by corruption, while at local levels, corruption can make day-to-day lives more painful for all affected. What will be the value at (95)?

1. her
2. their
3. them
4. his

Answer: their

The blank refers to "people around the world," which is plural. Therefore, the correct possessive pronoun is "their."

Q9. Choose the option that best replaces the highlighted phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. If no correction is required, select option “No correction required” as your answer. As a complement for his hard work, the company gave him a thoughtful token of appreciation and gratitude.

1. a compliment of
2. a complement to
3. a compliment for
4. a compliment about

Answer: a compliment for

The intended meaning is praise or appreciation for hard work, so 'compliment' is the correct word, not 'complement'. Among the options, 'a compliment for' best fits the sentence structure and meaning. The sentence becomes grammatically and contextually correct with that replacement.