How to Prepare Descriptive English for Bank Exams

The descriptive test plays crucial part in the selection process of these exam. To get a call for interview, you need to qualify both the written Objective test as well as the descriptive test. If you perform well in the written exam but fail in the descriptive test, you may not be eligible for the interview process.

Descriptive in Banking Exam

It contains mainly Four things:

• Essay Writing
• Letter Writing
• Precis Writing
• Reading Comprehensions

In all the Probationary Officer Exams such as IBPS PO, SBI PO conducted by IBPS only essay writing and letter writings are being asked, even in other banking and insurance of similar level but when you attempt exams like RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A etc., there you find Precis writing and Reading Compression Based Questions.

What is Essay Writing in Bank Exams:

In banking exams you will be given with three or four options in essay and you need to write on any one topic among those three or four topics in the given word limit.

What is Essay Writing in Bank Exams:

In banking exams you will be given with three in letter writing and you need to write on any one topic among those three topics in the given word limit. These letters can be formal and informal in nature. Generally they are directed towards Bank Manager, Editors of Local newspaper, Police Superintendent, Municipal Officer etc. in formal letter and in Informal letter you need to write to your friends and family member. 

Descriptive English Pattern in SBI PO –

I. The Descriptive Test will be of 30 minutes duration with 50 marks.

II. This Test will contain questions from Letter Writing & Essay topics.

III. Essay questions carries 30 marks & letter writing questions will be of 20 marks.

IV. Word limits for Essay writing is – 200 words & for Letter writing is 150 words.

Descriptive English Pattern in IBPS PO –

I. The Descriptive Test will be of 30 minutes duration with 50 marks.

II. This Test will contain questions from Letter Writing & Essay topics.

III. Essay questions carries 15 marks & letter writing questions will be of 10 marks.

IV. Word limits for Essay writing is – 200 words & for Letter writing is 150 words.

How to prepare for Essay writing?

1. To improve your writing skills, you should make a habit of reading English Newspaper on a regular basis. Generally, in competitive exams, essay topics are asked from current issues. So, reading newspaper will not only improve your writing skills but it will also help you in increasing your general knowledge.

2. While reading articles or editorials, always jot (write something quickly) down relevant points and make notes of important lines and quotes. This exercise will help surely help you in improving your English Grammar.

3. Write articles using your own words on any topic, this exercise will boost your confidence before exam.

4. Always refer to the dictionary if you do not know the meaning of a word or when you are in doubt about any unfamiliar usage of a word.

5. Reading and writing articles will help you in putting your ideas on paper and will ensure that you have good command over language.

6. Buy books for essay writing and start your preparation. Write two essays daily on a regular basis.

Key points while writing an Essay:

1. Read instruction carefully – Read the questions and instructions carefully, before start writing essay in the exam.

2. Pick a topic – Select the topic in which you are most confident and about which you have proper knowledge.

3. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas – Note down all your ideas on a rough sheet, before writing an essay.

4. Always write essay in three parts – Introduction, Body and Conclusion.

(i) Introduction – The introduction should attract the examiner attention and show the focus of your essay.

(ii) Body – The body of essay explains or describes the topic in detail manner. Do not repeat any sentence in the essay.

(iii) Conclusion – The conclusion is the end of the topic and sums up your overall ideas while providing a final perspective on your topic.

Letter Writing Tips:

In the letter, subject must be short and crisp. It should not reveal too many details. 

In the introduction, introduce yourself to the addressee giving the details about your profession, your location etc. and tell him/her the reason as to why you are writing the letter.

In the main body give details related to the reason as to why the letter is being written.

For example: I have written a formal letter to bank manager below. In the introduction, I wrote all the key information and then described it in body.

Format of a Formal Letter:

A Letter to Bank Manager.

20/25, XYZ Society,

S B Road, Pune,

Maharashtra, 800013

12th November, 2021

The Branch Manager 

State Bank of India, S B Road, 

Pune, Maharashtra, 411005

Subject: Request to issue new cheque book

Dear Sir/Ma'am

I am one of the account holder of state bank of India, boring road branch, from last three years, my account number is 11110547862. 

I am writing this letter to request you to issue a new cheque book. At the time of account opening, I was issued with a cheque book with limited number of check leaves and I have utilized all those cheque leaves. Kindly issue a new cheque book. Any appropriate charges for this purpose may kindly be debited from the said account of mine. 

Enclosed herewith copies of my identification and address proof for your verification purposes.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

Brajesh Mohan

Documents:

(1) Self-attested copy of PAN card

(2) Self-attested copy of Aadhar card

List of Essay writing Topics Asked in Previous Year of SBI PO & Other related Exams-

1. Pros and cons of ‘one rank one pension’ scheme.

2. Women Empowerment.

3. Ethical problems of e-commerce.

4. Women's Safety - It is our responsibility.

5. Over-dependence on monsoon.

6. Ethical problems of e-commerce.

7. Is election commission right in banning election symbols during casting of votes?

8. Roll of uneducated people in Indian Economy.

9. Is the generation gap a myth?

10. Enslavement of man by technology.

11. Is a presidential form of government is suitable for India?

12. Those who saved More Taxed More. Justify

11. The Viability of Presidential Form of Govt In India.

12. Benefits of Mutual fund investments.

13. United Nation Organization's contribution towards the recent turmoil's in Ukraine.

14. Decreasing number of researches taken up by students

15. Suggestions to alleviate the unemployment problem.

16. Role of newspapers in influencing society or youth.

17. The contribution of unskilled labour in Indian economy.

18. How can education in the economy be indulged in the college study?

19. Future of Banking Industry.

20. Pros and cons of allowing 10-year-old children to open accounts.

21. How is the economy related to common man?

22. How far can a press have a license to infringe in others privacy?

23. Relevance of Swadeshi on Globalization.

24. There is no permanent friend or enemy in politics give examples from Indian politics.

25. Two types of function of government are necessary and optional.

26. If I were minister of Banking Industry.

27. Role of effective credit rating.

28. Tackling communication gap between the families due to mass media and internet.

29. Advantages of classroom education over distance learning

30. Transformation caused on workplace by information technology In past two decades

31. Economic importance of tourism.

32. Will India ever be a developed country?

33. Bitcoin

34. Banking Risk and Management.

35. Setting personal financial goal early in life.

36. Benefit and Disadvantages of E-Commerce.

37. Pros and Cons of outsourcing of banking activities.

38. Stable government is important for economic growth.

39. How is NABARD a boon to Indian Agricultural Sector?

40. How Have Nationalized Banks contributed to the growth of Economy in India?

41. Mobile Technology – Growing Trend in Education Space.

42. How Tourism affects Religious pilgrimage?

43. Brexit ( UK withdrawal from the EU). What will be the Impact on India Economy?

44. Role of Small & Payment Banks in Financial Inclusion?

45. How could a Bankruptcy Code improve Financial Inclusion?

46. Measures to be taken to avoid issues during monsoon

47. Effect of environment and a person's genes on the development of his personality traits.

48. Travelling is better than watching movies and documentary. 

49. Why Technology’s being in power is a menace?

50. Effect of social media and its consequences on our population.

SBI PO 2013 (Compiled of all shifts)

Attempt any one of the following in about 150 words:-

• Letter to your sibling advising him/her to prepare for a competitive exam
• Writing a job offer acceptance letter for the post of Assistant Manager
• Complaint to CEO regarding the extra work in office
• Letter to sibling for telling benefits for future of money saving
• Letter to bank manager requesting to extend the joining period as you have received the offer letter for the bank job.
• Write a letter to the Editor, the Hindu, expressing your deep concern on the impact of adult graded cinemas on young minds.
• Write a letter to your manager asking permission for a leave to attend a family function.
• Write a letter to a student preparing for his Board Examination giving tips healthy study habits.
• Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper commending it on an article published in it regarding Environmental awareness and adding your own views on the duty of every citizen to protect the environment.
• Write a letter To the bank manager for closing of your savings account.
• Write a letter To invite a friend to attend a seminar on net banking.
• Write a letter To you bank for a loan to have higher studies in USA.
• Write a letter to your Siblings mentioning how to prepare for Competitive Exams.
• Write a letter to the company for accepting the job offer of an assistant manager in the company
• Write a letter on behalf of your department to the CEO of your company for working in late hours and not appreciated by management members.

SBI PO – 2014

Attempt any one of the following in about 150 words:-

• A letter to Complaint Letter : Being a customer of a so and so bank, you have to write a complaint letter to the Bank Manager about the negligence / irresponsibility of the employees 
• Letter to Editor : About tampering the currency notes by punching pins to it. 
• An Informal Letter about telling your friend about the advantages of PPF account and suggesting him to open a PPF account.

SBI PO– 2015

Attempt any one of the following in about 150 words:-

• The Manager – Point out the haphazard manner in which files are maintained in the office & propose some innovative methods for the above.
• The Editor of a Newspaper – on cyber crimes taking place in your city & suggest measures to curb this menace.
• Letter to an aged teacher – Thank him/her for contribution to your success as a human being.

SBI PO – 2016

Attempt any one of the following in about 150 words:-

• Letter as a principal to the student’s parents regarding their responsibility towards their wards.
• Letter to the parents and telling them the challenges you facing and how you overcame
• Letter to editor.
• Importance of knowing history for a citizen
• Effect of Salary Increase on Economy
• Effect of The New Game Pokemon GO.

SBI PO – 2017

Attempt anyone of the following in about 150 words                                                             

• Write a letter to your branch manager as you’ve deposited some amount but it is still not credited into your account
• Write a letter to editor expressing your concern over impact of irrelevant news through social media
• Write a letter to your sibling giving them advise related to stress and anxiety.

SBI PO – 2018

Attempt anyone of the following in about 150 words                                     

• Failure transaction on UPI. Letter to GM of a cooperative bank.
• Requires magazines and books subscription. Write a letter to the editor.

SBI PO- 2019

Answer any one of the following in about 150 words:—          

• Write a letter to the Branch Manager for the replacement of lost Cheque book.
• Write a letter to your senior thanking him career advice.
• Write a letter to the Branch Manager to increase the number of counters in the respective branch.

SBI PO – 2021 (Held on 29th Jan)

Letter (150 words)

• The letter to the editor to encourage youth to join armed forces
• To the Manager by Bank customer to close the bank account.