Pariksha SaathiFill in the Blanks Questions with Solutions
One blank, one correct word — but picking it means reading the whole sentence for meaning, not just the words right next to the gap, since English pairs certain words with certain prepositions and forms by fixed convention. Here’s the approach, four fully worked examples, and a few to try yourself.
The approach, quickly
- Read the entire sentence first, not just the phrase around the blank — the right word often depends on something earlier or later in the sentence.
- Many blanks test fixed collocations — words that conventionally pair together ("good at," "pride oneself on," "capable of") — which have to be learned, not derived from logic alone.
- After a preposition like "despite," "without," or "besides," a verb takes its -ing (gerund) form, not the infinitive ("to + verb") or plain form.
- Eliminate options that are grammatically wrong first (wrong part of speech, wrong tense), then choose among what’s left by meaning and convention.
Worked examples
1. Despite ___ hard, he failed the exam. (A) study (B) studying (C) studied (D) to study
Solution
- After "despite," a verb must take its -ing (gerund) form — "studying," not the plain or infinitive form.
Answer: studying
2. She is good ___ mathematics. (A) in (B) at (C) on (D) with
Solution
- "Good at" is a fixed collocation for describing skill in a subject or activity.
Answer: at
3. The train arrived ___ time, exactly as scheduled. (A) in (B) on (C) at (D) by
Solution
- "On time" is the fixed phrase meaning punctual, neither early nor late.
Answer: on
4. He prides himself ___ his honesty. (A) in (B) on (C) at (D) for
Solution
- "Pride oneself on" is a fixed phrasal expression meaning to feel proud of a particular quality.
Answer: on
Try these yourself
Read the whole sentence, check the fixed collocation, then check against the answer.
1. I am not interested ___ politics. (A) in (B) at (C) on (D) with
Answer: in
2. She apologized ___ being late to the meeting. (A) of (B) for (C) at (D) with
Answer: for
3. He is capable ___ solving this problem on his own. (A) in (B) at (C) of (D) for
Answer: of
Where this comes up
Fill in the Blanks is tested directly in the English Language section of every exam Pariksha Saathi covers — SSC CGL, SSC MTS, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO and SBI Clerk.
Practice more Fill in the Blanks questions
This page covers the approach and a handful of worked examples. Pariksha Saathi has full topic-wise practice sets for Fill in the Blanks (and every other English/Reasoning/Quant topic) with instant scoring and explanations — free, no account required.
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