60-second revision
- Read the whole sentence before the options and predict the blank in your own words.
- Signal words set the direction: but, although, despite show contrast; so, therefore, hence show result.
- Decide the part of speech the blank needs: noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
- First conditional: if + simple present, main clause + will (If it snows, the road will close).
- No sooner pairs with than; hardly and scarcely pair with when.
- Would rather ... than; prefer ... to: I prefer tea to coffee.
- Fixed prepositions are tested often: afraid of, insist on, prefer to, comply with, abstain from.
Two kinds of blanks
Grammar blanks test a rule: tense, agreement, a preposition, a conjunction pair or an article. Vocabulary blanks test whether you can pick the word whose meaning fits the sentence. Bank exams also set double blanks, where one option fills two gaps, and both must fit.
Method
- Read the full sentence and cover the options.
- Say what the blank must mean, using your own word (good, bad, increase, stop).
- Look for signal words that show whether the blank agrees with or contrasts the rest of the sentence.
- Decide the part of speech and the form (singular or plural, tense, active or passive).
- Now uncover the options and pick the one closest to your prediction.
- Re-read the full sentence with your choice in place.
Signal words
| Signal | Direction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| but, yet, although, despite, however, while | contrast: the blank goes against the other half | Although the task was ____, she finished it in an hour. (difficult) |
| and, also, moreover, similarly | support: the blank continues the idea | He is honest and ____. (sincere) |
| so, therefore, hence, as a result, because | cause and effect | The road was flooded, so the bus was ____. (delayed) |
| such as, for example, like | example: the blank names the category | He enjoys ____ sports such as chess and carrom. (indoor) |
| not ... but, rather than | replacement: the blank is the opposite of the rejected idea | He was not lazy but ____. (industrious) |
Grammar patterns that are tested often
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| since + point of time / for + period | since 2010; for ten years |
| if + simple present, will + verb | If you call, I will come. |
| if + past perfect, would have + past participle | If you had called, I would have come. |
| no sooner ... than; hardly/scarcely ... when | No sooner had we left than it rained. |
| would rather ... than; prefer ... to | She would rather read than watch TV. |
| so ... that; such ... that | It was so hot that we stayed in. |
| too ... to (negative sense) | He is too tired to walk. |
| lest ... should | Hurry lest you should miss the bus. |
| it is time + past tense | It is time we left. |
Fixed prepositions
| Word | Takes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| accused / afraid / aware / capable / confident | of | aware of the risks |
| depend / insist / rely / congratulate | on | insist on paying |
| comply / deal / agree (with a person) | with | comply with the rules |
| superior / inferior / senior / junior / prefer / prior | to | senior to me |
| abstain / refrain / prohibit / differ (things) | from | refrain from shouting |
| interested / succeed / believe | in | succeed in the test |
| angry | with a person; at or about a thing | angry with her, angry about the delay |
Worked examples (fresh)
'The new manager was so ____ that no one dared to question her decisions.' The result clause (no one dared to question) shows strength or authority, so a word like authoritative or domineering fits; mild words such as gentle or hesitant point the wrong way.
'Scarcely had the guests arrived ____ the lights went out.' This is a grammar blank: scarcely pairs with when. Options like than or then are traps, because 'than' belongs only to 'no sooner'.
'Though he was born into wealth, he lived a ____ life.' Though signals contrast with wealth, so the blank means simple or modest: austere fits; luxurious or lavish would continue the idea instead of contrasting it.
Double blanks
With two blanks, solve the easier blank first and eliminate every option whose word for that blank fails. Then test only the survivors on the second blank. Do not accept an option because one half fits perfectly; both halves must fit.
Test yourself: 10 questions, 35 s each
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