Fill in the Blanks Questions for Competitive Exams – Tips, Types & Practice Strategy

Gunjisubbarao
Fill in the Blanks Questions

Fill in the Blanks questions are an important part of the English Language section in major competitive exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, NABARD, RBI, LIC, and many more. In most exams, you can expect at least 5 questions from this topic.

These questions test your grammar, vocabulary, contextual understanding, and sentence structure knowledge. With the right strategy and consistent practice, you can easily score full marks in this section.

What Are Fill in the Blanks Questions?

In English Fill in the Blanks questions, you are given a sentence with one or two missing words. You must choose the most suitable option from the given choices.

These questions evaluate:

  • Vocabulary strength

  • Grammar knowledge

  • Tense and voice understanding

  • Prepositions and conjunctions

  • Contextual meaning

Example:

The manager was highly ______ with the team’s performance.
(a) satisfy
(b) satisfied
(c) satisfying
(d) satisfaction

Correct Answer: (b) satisfied

Here, grammar knowledge and contextual understanding help you choose the right word.

Why Fill in the Blanks is a Scoring Topic?

Fill in the Blanks questions are:

  • Quick to solve

  • Less time-consuming

  • Concept-based

  • High scoring with practice

If you master vocabulary and grammar rules, this section can significantly improve your overall English score in competitive exams.

Free 200+ Fill in the Blanks Questions and Answers PDF

How to Solve Fill in the Blanks Questions

Many students find Fill in the Blanks questions easy, while others struggle due to weak grammar or vocabulary. But with a proper strategy, anyone can master it.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Read the Sentence Carefully

  • Understand the overall meaning.

  • Identify the tense and voice.

  • Check subject-verb agreement.

  • Look for clues around the blank.

Do not rush. A quick but careful reading saves time later.

2. Try to Fill the Blank Yourself

Before looking at options:

  • Think of a word that fits naturally.

  • Predict the tone (positive/negative/neutral).

  • Identify if the blank needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.

This improves accuracy and reduces confusion.

3. Compare with Given Options

Now check the alternatives:

  • Match with your predicted word.

  • Check tense consistency.

  • Verify grammatical correctness.

  • Eliminate clearly incorrect options.

4. Re-read the Complete Sentence

After selecting the answer:

  • Read the full sentence again.

  • Ensure smooth flow.

  • Confirm the meaning remains logical.

If the sentence sounds awkward, reconsider your choice.

5. Use Elimination Technique

When unsure:

  • Remove grammatically incorrect options.

  • Remove words that do not match tone.

  • Narrow down to 2 options.

  • Choose the most contextually suitable one.

This technique increases accuracy even when you’re confused.

Types of Fill in the Blanks Questions in Competitive Exams

Different exams ask Fill in the Blanks questions in various formats. Understanding these types helps you prepare better.

Type Description Skills Tested
Single Blank One missing word in a sentence Grammar + Vocabulary
Double Blank Two missing words Contextual understanding
Cloze Test Based Blank Multiple blanks in a paragraph Reading comprehension
Preposition Based Blank with correct preposition Grammar rules
Phrase Replacement Correct phrase to complete sentence Idioms & usage
Tense Based Choose correct verb form Tense knowledge
Confusing Words Similar words given as options Vocabulary clarity

1. Single Blank Questions

Most common type. One blank and 4–5 options.

Focus on:

  • Parts of speech

  • Subject-verb agreement

  • Sentence tone

2. Double Blank Questions

These are slightly tricky.

You must:

  • Understand full context

  • Check relation between both blanks

  • Ensure logical consistency

3. Cloze Test Type Fill in the Blanks

  • A paragraph with multiple blanks

  • Contextual reading is crucial

  • Eliminating wrong options becomes easier

4. Preposition Based Fill in the Blanks

Example:

She is afraid ___ dogs.

Correct answer: of

These require strong grammar fundamentals.

Tips to Score Well in Fill in the Blanks Questions

If you want to master English Fill in the Blanks questions, follow these proven strategies:

1. Strengthen Vocabulary

  • Learn 10–15 new words daily

  • Read newspapers like The Hindu

  • Maintain a vocabulary notebook

  • Practice synonym-antonym exercises

Strong vocabulary directly improves Fill in the Blanks accuracy.

2. Improve Grammar Fundamentals

Focus on:

  • Tenses

  • Subject-verb agreement

  • Prepositions

  • Conjunctions

  • Articles

Clear grammar concepts eliminate confusion between similar options.

3. Develop Reading Habit

Regular reading helps you:

  • Understand contextual usage

  • Recognize tone and flow

  • Identify natural word combinations

Reading improves both comprehension and vocabulary simultaneously.

4. Practice Regularly

Consistency is the key.

  • Attempt daily Fill in the Blanks quizzes

  • Solve topic-wise mock tests

  • Analyze mistakes

  • Revise weak areas

Regular practice builds confidence.

5. Learn Word Usage & Collocations

Some words naturally pair with others.

For example:

  • Make a decision (not do a decision)

  • Strong tea (not powerful tea)

Understanding collocations improves accuracy in competitive exams.

6. Stay Updated with Exam Patterns

Exam trends change over time.

  • Check memory-based papers

  • Solve previous year questions

  • Analyze difficulty level

This helps you prepare smartly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors in Fill in the Blanks questions:

  • Ignoring tense consistency

  • Choosing based on meaning only (ignoring grammar)

  • Not re-reading the full sentence

  • Overthinking simple questions

  • Guessing without elimination

Smart selection is better than random guessing.

Best Practice Strategy for Competitive Exams

Here is a practical preparation roadmap:

Weekly Plan

  • Day 1–2: Grammar revision

  • Day 3–4: Vocabulary building

  • Day 5: Practice single blank questions

  • Day 6: Practice double blank & cloze test

  • Day 7: Full mock test

Follow this cycle consistently.

Benefits of Mastering Fill in the Blanks

If you master Fill in the Blanks questions:

  • You improve overall English score

  • You gain confidence in vocabulary

  • You perform better in Cloze Tests

  • You save time in exam

This topic strengthens multiple English sections simultaneously.

Fill in the Blanks questions may look simple, but they require a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary. With consistent practice, strategic preparation, and proper understanding of contextual usage, you can easily score full marks in this section.

Start practicing daily, revise grammar rules regularly, and build your vocabulary step by step. Soon, English Fill in the Blanks questions will become one of your strongest areas in competitive exams.

Master this topic today and boost your English score confidently!