Practice Word replacement Questions and Answers

Word Replacement Question & Answer

Word Replacement forms an important part of the syllabus of the English Language section of various competitive exams like SEBI Grade A, RBI Grade, B, RBI Assistant, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS SO, IBPS PO, SBI PO, SBI CLerk and many others.

What is Word Replacement?

In Word Replacement, a few sentences will be given with four or five bold words. These bold words will not be in the correct order. The candidates are required to swap these words accordingly to make a meaningful sentence which is grammatically correct.

How to Approach Word Replacement Questions?

Read the Sentence

• First and foremost, you must read the given sentence carefully to understand the meaning and flow of the statement.
• This will help you in identifying the meaning and the tone of the sentence. Moreover, it will enable you to spot the grammatical errors in the sentence. 

For example-

Q1) There is a view that the across (A) of the rupee has been the appreciation (B) of a general result (C) of the dollar depreciation (D) all currencies. 

• Only A-D
• Both B-C and A-D
• Only B-D
• Both A-B and C-D
• No replacement

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

The statement is not correct in its present form and it is clear from the first bold word. Therefore, option E can be ruled out easily.

Now, coming to the given options, if we carry out the interchanging of the pair A-D, this will imply something but the statement will not completely make sense with this. But we are certain that our choice should contain the pair A-D. We have to find out another option with this pair and that option is B. And if we also interchange B-C, we shall find the correct sentence, along with interchanging A-D.

So, there is no requirement to check the remaining options.

This makes the correct statement as:

There is a view that the depreciation of the rupee has been the result of a general appreciation of the dollar across all currencies.

This makes option B the correct choice among the given options.

Try to Identify the Grammatical Relationship

• One important thing to keep in mind while solving questions on Word Replacement is to find a grammatical relationship between the bolded words and the words before it.
• By establishing a grammatical relationship you will be able to understand the context of the sentence, which will help you in finding the correct option.

Focus on Basics of Grammar and Vocabulary

• Word Replacement will test your knowledge on basics of English Grammar like noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjectives, conjunction, etc. 
• Moreover, it will also test your analytical skills and vocabulary skills.
• There will be a few questions which will test your knowledge with respect to vocabulary, idioms or phrases. 
• A good vocabulary will increase your chances of recognising which option would fit in and which won’t.

Elimination

• If you are not able to understand the correct sequence of the sentence, then you can solve the question through the process of elimination.
• You can place each option one by one and choose that option which makes the sentence meaningful and error free.

Sample Questions on Word Replacement

Directions: In each of the questions given below, four words are given in bold. These four words may or may not be in their correct position. The sentence is then followed by options with the correct combination of words that should replace each other in order to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Find the correct combination of words that replace each other. If the sentence is correct as it is, select ‘E’ as your option.

Q1) Since the stable (A) of capital flows in 1991, India has always faced a current account deficit (B) but inflows of capital have allowed (C) the country to have a liberalization (D) balance of payments (BoP).

• Both B-D and A-C
• Only A-B
• Only A-D
• Both B-C and A-D
• The sentence is correct

Answer: (c) 

Explanation:

The sentence is not correct in its present form and some change is required to be carried out in this statement. Therefore, option E can be ruled out from our consideration.

Here, if we see option A, with the interchanging of B-D, it will not make any sense and therefore, there is no need to check the other pair given in this option. This option can be eliminated. Coming to option B, it is not correct also. If we check C, it is correct as with this, we are getting a meaningful sentence and it may be said that this pair will be there in our correct choice. There is another option with this pair i.e. Option D. But, if we carry out the interchanging of the pair B-C, it will not make any sense. Hence, it cannot be our choice. This means only A-D should be interchanged.

The correct statement would be:

Since the liberalization of capital flows in 1991, India has always faced a current account deficit but inflows of capital have allowed the country to have a stable balance of payments (BoP).

Q2) The razzmatazz (noisy, showy) for toilet construction/ODF certification has overshadowed (A) the fact that the essence (B) of universal water and sanitation coverage is derived (C) from the right to life, guaranteed (D) by Article 21 of the Constitution.

• Both A-D and B-C
• Only A-B
• Only B-C
• Both A-B and C-D
• The sentence is correct

Answer: (e)

Explanation:

The statement is correct in its present form and therefore, no pair of words needs to be replaced in case of the given statement.

Q3) Union minister M.J. Akbar newspapers (A) to take legal action against several women journalists (B) who had accused (C) him of sexual harassment at two threatened (D) where he had been editor. 

• Both A-B and C-D
• Only C-D
• Only A-B
• Only A-D
• The sentence is correct

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

If we go through the given statement, it is not correct since it is not making any sense though it may seem that with some changes, the sentence would imply something. Here, we have to understand the context of the statement which is talking about the action to be taken by the Union Minister against others.  

Now, coming to the options, option A can be ruled out since it is clear that with this option being implemented, the resultant statement would not make any sense whatsoever. With option B also, the same may be said since it is also not making any sense. Option C can be ruled out since it does imply anything. Option D is our pick since if we interchange the words according to this option, the resultant statement will make sense.

The correct statement would be:

Union minister M.J. Akbar threatened to take legal action against several women journalists who had accused him of sexual harassment at two newspapers where he had been editor.

Q4) The Election Commission has announced (A) second installment of 1,100 more VVPATs ensuing (B) the State for the to (C) elections in the first week (D) of December.

• Both B-D and A-C
• Both A-B and C-D
• Both B-c and A-D
• Only B-C
• The statement is correct

Answer: (d)

Explanation: 

The given statement is not correct since it is not making any sense if we go with the given statement. It should be changed by changing the words in certain places or by interchanging the same. Now, according to the context of the statement, it is talking about the new VVPAT machines to be introduced in the upcoming elections in December by the Election Commission of India.

Coming to the given options, If we follow option A, it will not make any sense whereas the same can be said about option B where A and B are to be interchanged thereby making the sentence grammatically incorrect also. Option C is not correct since A and D cannot be interchanged as that will render the whole sentence meaningless but B-C can be interchanged. Option D is the choice that will make sure that the statement is making some sense as has been observed in the preceding statement.

The correct statement would be:

The Election Commission has announced a second installment of 1,100 more VVPATs to the State for the ensuing (to happen after something else) elections in the first week of December.

Conclusion

Word Replacement has become a significant part of the syllabus of various government and competitive exams. Moreover, it is a very scoring topic. Therefore, it is imperative that you prepare this topic well. Practice as many Word Replacement questions as possible to improve your speed and accuracy. Furthermore, focus on building your vocabulary and brush up on all the important grammar rules as this will enable you to understand the context and sentence structure of the given statement. You can expect around 4 to 5 questions on this topic.