Last Updated: October 5, 2026
Articles for IBPS PO Prelims: A, An, The – Complete Guide with 50+ Practice Questions
IBPS PO English: Master Articles with Advanced Rules, Banking Contexts, and 50+ Practice Questions
📘 Table of Contents
- Introduction — IBPS PO में Articles का महत्व और Weightage
- Basic Concepts — A, An, The की पूरी समझ (Quick Revision)
- Advanced Rules & Exceptions for IBPS PO Level
- Rule 1: Abbreviations and Acronyms with A/An
- Rule 2: “The” with Proper Nouns (Detailed List)
- Rule 3: “The” with Comparative Degree Structures
- Rule 4: Omission of Articles in Fixed Phrases
- Rule 5: “The” with Adjectives as Nouns
- Rule 6: “A/An” with Certain Expressions
- IBPS PO Prelims Strategy — Articles का Smart Approach
- Speed Tricks — 10-Second Error Detection for IBPS PO
- 10 Common Mistakes IBPS PO Aspirants Make
- 10 Sample Questions (Solved with Detailed Explanations)
- 50+ Practice Questions (Topic-wise)
- Set 1: A vs An (15 Questions)
- Set 2: The vs No Article (15 Questions)
- Set 3: Mixed Articles Practice (15 Questions)
- Set 4: Error Detection (10 Questions)
- Download Practice Sets (PDF)
- Suggested Next Reads
Introduction — IBPS PO में Articles का महत्व और Weightage
IBPS PO Prelims में English Language section में 30 questions, 30 marks होते हैं। समय सिर्फ 20 मिनट मिलता है। IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk से काफी मुश्किल होता है। यहाँ speed और accuracy दोनों जरूरी हैं।
📊 IBPS PO में Articles का Weightage
- Error Detection: 4-5 questions (Articles पर सीधे सवाल)
- Fill in the Blanks: 5-6 questions (grammar based)
- Sentence Improvement: 4-5 questions (Articles से जुड़े)
- Cloze Test: 5-7 questions (articles के blanks)
🎯 Target: 25+ questions attempt करो, 22+ सही करो = 70+ marks in English
✅ IBPS PO की खासियत: यहाँ articles के सवाल tricky exceptions पर आधारित होते हैं। Basic rules के साथ-साथ advanced rules और banking terminology की अच्छी समझ होनी चाहिए।
⚡ Quick Summary – IBPS PO के लिए Articles
- A और An: Indefinite Articles — Sound पर ध्यान दें (spelling नहीं)
- The: Definite Article — Unique चीज़ें, superlatives, ordinals, oceans, rivers, newspapers, musical instruments
- Advanced Rules: Abbreviations (an MBA), “The” with proper nouns (the USA, the Ganges), “The + comparative, the + comparative”
- No Article: Proper nouns, languages, meals (general), sports, abstract nouns, most countries, mountain peaks
- IBPS PO Weightage: 8-10 questions सीधे इस topic पर
- Key Exceptions to Remember: a university, an hour, an MBA, a European, an honest, a one-eyed, the USA, the UK, Mount Everest (no the)
Basic Concepts — A, An, The की पूरी समझ (Quick Revision)
IBPS PO के लिए basic concepts की अच्छी समझ होना जरूरी है। यहाँ quick revision दी जा रही है:
| Article | Type | Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Indefinite | Consonant sound वाले singular noun से पहले | a book, a pen, a university, a one-eyed man, a European |
| An | Indefinite | Vowel sound वाले singular noun से पहले | an apple, an hour, an honest man, an MBA, an X-ray |
| The | Definite | Specific चीज़ों, unique चीज़ों, superlatives से पहले | the sun, the best, the first, the Ganges, the USA |
• Sound देखो, spelling नहीं — “university” (Y sound) → a, “hour” (O sound) → an
• Unique चीज़ें → the sun, the moon, the earth
• Superlatives (-est, most) → the best, the most important
• Ordinals (first, second, last) → the first time, the last day
• Languages, subjects, meals (general) → No article
Advanced Rules & Exceptions for IBPS PO Level
IBPS PO के लिए ये advanced rules और exceptions बहुत important हैं। ये rules अक्सर tricky questions में पूछे जाते हैं:
📌 Rule 1: Abbreviations and Acronyms with A/An
Rule: Abbreviations का pronunciation देखो, spelling नहीं।
✅ an MBA (एम-बी-ए – vowel sound ‘ए’)
✅ an X-ray (एक्स-रे – vowel sound ‘ए’)
✅ an NRI (एन-आर-आई – vowel sound ‘ए’)
✅ an FBI agent (एफ-बी-आई – vowel sound ‘ए’)
✅ a VIP (वी-आई-पी – consonant sound ‘वी’)
✅ a URL (यू-आर-एल – consonant sound ‘यू’)
✅ a CEO (सी-ई-ओ – consonant sound ‘सी’)
✅ a PDF file (पी-डी-एफ – consonant sound ‘पी’)
📌 Rule 2: “The” with Proper Nouns – Complete List
Rule: Most proper nouns don’t take “the”, but these categories DO take “the”:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Countries with plural names | the USA, the UK, the UAE, the Netherlands, the Philippines |
| Rivers, oceans, seas | the Ganges, the Yamuna, the Pacific Ocean, the Arabian Sea |
| Mountain ranges | the Himalayas, the Alps, the Rockies, the Andes |
| Newspapers | the Times of India, the Hindu, the Indian Express, the Guardian |
| Famous buildings/monuments | the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, the Eiffel Tower, the White House |
| Deserts | the Thar Desert, the Sahara Desert, the Gobi Desert |
| Groups of islands | the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Maldives |
| Historical periods/events | the Industrial Revolution, the World War II, the Renaissance |
📌 Rule 3: “The” with Comparative Degree (Special Structure)
Rule: “The + comparative, the + comparative” structure में दोनों तरफ “the” use होता है।
✅ The harder you work, the greater the success.
✅ The higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
✅ The more you save, the more secure your future is.
⚠️ Note: यह structure IBPS PO में बार-बार पूछा जाता है। दोनों “the” को न भूलें!
📌 Rule 4: Omission of Articles in Fixed Phrases
Rule: कुछ fixed phrases में article नहीं लगता। ये IBPS PO के लिए बहुत important हैं:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Prepositional phrases (place) | to school, to college, to hospital, to church, to prison, to bed |
| Prepositional phrases (manner) | by car, by train, by bus, by air, by sea, on foot |
| Fixed expressions | at dawn, at dusk, at night, at noon, at sunset |
| Meals | have breakfast, have lunch, have dinner, have tea |
| Parallel structures | husband and wife, father and son, day and night, rich and poor |
✅ He goes to school every day. (not the school)
✅ She travels by car. (not the car)
✅ We have breakfast at 8 AM. (not the breakfast)
📌 Rule 5: “The” with Adjectives as Nouns (Groups of People)
Rule: जब adjective noun की तरह use हो (किसी समूह को दर्शाने के लिए), तो “the” use करें।
✅ The elderly need special care.
✅ The unemployed are struggling to find jobs.
✅ The disabled deserve equal opportunities.
✅ The young are full of energy.
⚠️ Note: ये adjective plural noun की तरह behave करते हैं और plural verb लेते हैं।
📌 Rule 6: “A/An” with Certain Expressions (Quantity/Price/Rate)
Rule: Per (प्रति) के अर्थ में “a/an” का use होता है।
✅ The car runs at 80 km an hour.
✅ Sugar costs ₹40 a kilogram.
✅ He visits his parents twice a year.
✅ She reads five books a month.
IBPS PO Prelims Strategy — Articles का Smart Approach
IBPS PO Prelims में English section के लिए 20 minutes मिलते हैं। यहाँ है smart strategy:
📊 Articles से जुड़े Question Types & Time Allocation
| Question Type | No. of Questions | Difficulty | Time per Question | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill in the Blanks (Articles) | 5-6 | Moderate | 20-25 sec | Round 1 – पहले करो |
| Error Detection | 4-5 | Moderate-Hard | 25-30 sec | Round 1 – पहले करो |
| Sentence Improvement | 4-5 | Moderate-Hard | 30-35 sec | Round 2 – बाद में |
| Cloze Test | 5-7 (2-3 articles blanks) | Moderate | 35 sec | Articles blanks पहले fill करो |
🎯 IBPS PO Attempt Strategy for Articles
Step 1 (First 6 minutes): Fill in the Blanks (5-6) + Error Detection (4-5) = 9-11 questions fix करो। ये Articles के सवाल हैं और इनमें अच्छी accuracy ला सकते हो।
Step 2 (Next 5 minutes): Sentence Improvement (4-5) + Cloze Test के articles blanks = 8-9 questions और।
Step 3 (Tricky Areas to Watch):
- Abbreviations के साथ A/An (an MBA, a VIP) — pronunciation पर ध्यान दो
- “The” with proper nouns (the USA, but India – no the)
- “The + comparative, the + comparative” structure
- Fixed phrases में article omission (to school, by car)
- Exceptions: a university, an hour, a European, an honest
💡 Important: IBPS PO में Clerk की तुलना में ज्यादा exceptions पूछे जाते हैं। इन exceptions की अच्छी practice करो।
Speed Tricks — 10-Second Error Detection for IBPS PO
⚡ Trick 1: Sound Rule for Abbreviations
Rule: Abbreviation का पहला letter देखो, लेकिन उसका pronunciation सोचो।
Quick Check: “MBA” (M is pronounced ’em’ – vowel) → an, “VIP” (V is pronounced ‘vee’ – consonant) → a
Examples: an MBA, an X-ray, a VIP, a URL, a CEO
⚡ Trick 2: “The” with Proper Nouns – Quick Memory Aid
Rule: याद रखो — countries with plural names (USA, UK, UAE), rivers, oceans, mountain ranges, newspapers → the
Quick Check: क्या यह इन categories में आता है? हाँ → the, नहीं → no article
Examples: the Ganges, the Himalayas, the Times of India, but Mount Everest (no the), India (no the)
⚡ Trick 3: “The + Comparative, The + Comparative”
Rule: दोनों तरफ “the” लगेगा, दोनों comparative adjectives होंगे।
Quick Check: “The more…, the better…” — यह structure देखते ही दोनों “the” लगाओ।
Examples: The more you read, the more you know. The higher the risk, the higher the return.
⚡ Trick 4: Fixed Phrases – No Article
Rule: to school, to college, to hospital, by car, by train, at night, have breakfast — याद रखो इनमें article नहीं।
Quick Check: क्या यह common fixed phrase है? हाँ → no article
Examples: He went to hospital. She travels by bus. We have lunch at 1 PM.
⚡ Trick 5: Superlatives and Ordinals → Always “The”
Rule: -est, most, first, second, last → the
Quick Check: best, tallest, most important, first time, last day → the
Examples: the best policy, the first priority, the last chance
⚡ Trick 6: Exceptions to Remember for IBPS PO
Memory Trick for Common Exceptions:
“A UNIVERSITY HOUR is A EUROPEAN ONE-EYED HONEST MAN”
- a university (Y sound)
- an hour (O sound)
- a European (Y sound)
- a one-eyed (W sound)
- an honest (O sound)
10 Common Mistakes IBPS PO Aspirants Make
❌ Mistake 1: University के साथ “An”
Wrong: ❌ An university
Right: ✅ A university
❌ Mistake 2: Hour के साथ “A”
Wrong: ❌ A hour
Right: ✅ An hour
❌ Mistake 3: MBA के साथ “A”
Wrong: ❌ A MBA
Right: ✅ An MBA
❌ Mistake 4: European के साथ “An”
Wrong: ❌ An European
Right: ✅ A European
❌ Mistake 5: Honest के साथ “A”
Wrong: ❌ A honest man
Right: ✅ An honest man
❌ Mistake 6: USA के साथ “A” (no article)
Wrong: ❌ USA is a big country.
Right: ✅ The USA is a big country.
❌ Mistake 7: Mount Everest के साथ “The”
Wrong: ❌ The Mount Everest
Right: ✅ Mount Everest
❌ Mistake 8: Languages के साथ “The”
Wrong: ❌ The English
Right: ✅ English (no article)
❌ Mistake 9: “The more” structure में “the” भूलना
Wrong: ❌ More you practice, better you become.
Right: ✅ The more you practice, the better you become.
❌ Mistake 10: Fixed phrases में article डालना
Wrong: ❌ He goes to the school.
Right: ✅ He goes to school. (as a student, not specific building)
10 Sample Questions (Solved with Detailed Explanations)
IBPS PO Prelims pattern पर based ये 10 sample questions practice करें:
Question 1: Fill in the Blanks Medium
She has ______ MBA degree from IIM Ahmedabad.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
✅ Answer: B. an
Explanation: “MBA” का pronunciation ‘एम-बी-ए’ (vowel sound ‘ए’) से शुरू → an MBA.
Question 2: Error Detection Medium
He is a honest person who always speaks the truth.
A. He is
B. a honest
C. who always speaks the truth
D. No error
✅ Answer: B. a honest
Explanation: “Honest” का pronunciation ‘ऑन-एस्ट’ (vowel sound ‘ऑ’) से शुरू → an honest.
Question 3: Fill in the Blanks Medium
______ more you save, ______ more secure your future is.
A. A, a
B. An, an
C. The, the
D. No article, no article
✅ Answer: C. The, the
Explanation: “The + comparative, the + comparative” structure में दोनों तरफ “the” लगता है।
Question 4: Sentence Improvement Hard
He is a university professor.
A. a university
B. an university
C. the university
D. No improvement
✅ Answer: D. No improvement
Explanation: “University” का pronunciation Y sound से शुरू → “a” correct है। No error.
Question 5: Fill in the Blanks Medium
______ Ganges is ______ holy river in India.
A. A, a
B. The, a
C. The, the
D. No article, a
✅ Answer: B. The, a
Explanation: Rivers के साथ “the” (The Ganges), “a holy river” (one of many holy rivers).
Question 6: Error Detection Hard
The Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
A. The Mount Everest
B. is the highest
C. peak in the world
D. No error
✅ Answer: A. The Mount Everest
Explanation: Mountain peaks के साथ “the” नहीं लगता → “Mount Everest”.
Question 7: Fill in the Blanks Medium
She went to ______ hospital to visit her friend.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
✅ Answer: D. no article
Explanation: यहाँ purpose के लिए hospital जा रही है (as a visitor), not as a patient → no article। अगर patient होती तो “to hospital” (no article)।
Question 8: Sentence Improvement Hard
He earns ₹1,00,000 the month.
A. the month
B. a month
C. an month
D. No improvement
✅ Answer: B. a month
Explanation: Per (प्रति) के अर्थ में “a/an” use होता है → ₹1,00,000 a month.
Question 9: Fill in the Blanks Hard
______ rich should help ______ poor.
A. The, the
B. A, a
C. An, an
D. No article, no article
✅ Answer: A. The, the
Explanation: Adjectives as nouns (groups of people) के साथ “the” → the rich, the poor.
Question 10: Error Detection Hard
The more you save, more secure your financial future is.
A. The more you save
B. more secure
C. your financial future is
D. No error
✅ Answer: B. more secure
Explanation: “The + comparative, the + comparative” structure → “the more secure”.
50+ Practice Questions (Topic-wise)
नीचे topic-wise practice questions दिए जा रहे हैं। हर set को solve करें:
📚 Set 1: A vs An (Advanced – 15 Questions)
Directions: Fill in the blanks with A or An.
- ______ university professor
- ______ honest statement
- ______ MBA graduate
- ______ one-time offer
- ______ European nation
- ______ hour-long meeting
- ______ X-ray report
- ______ useful suggestion
- ______ NRI account
- ______ VIP lounge
- ______ HDFC bank branch
- ______ heir to the throne
- ______ unanimous decision
- ______ one-way ticket
- ______ honorary degree
📌 Click for Answers
- A
- An
- An
- A
- A
- An
- An
- A
- An
- A
- A
- An
- A
- A
- An
📚 Set 2: The or No Article (Advanced – 15 Questions)
Directions: Fill in the blanks with The or leave blank (X for no article).
- ______ United States is a superpower.
- ______ Mount Everest is in ______ Himalayas.
- ______ Ganges flows through North India.
- ______ Times of India is a popular newspaper.
- He wants to climb ______ Mount Kilimanjaro.
- ______ Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan.
- She went to ______ hospital for treatment.
- He goes to ______ school by bus.
- ______ rich should help ______ poor.
- ______ more you invest, ______ more you earn.
- ______ Netherlands is famous for tulips.
- ______ Indian Express published the article.
- He is ______ captain of the team.
- ______ Sun rises in ______ East.
- ______ life is full of challenges.
📌 Click for Answers
- The
- X, the
- The
- The
- X
- The
- X
- X
- The, the
- The, the
- The
- The
- the
- The, the
- X
📚 Set 3: Mixed Articles Practice (Advanced – 15 Questions)
Directions: Fill in the blanks with a, an, the, or leave blank (X).
- He is ______ honest man.
- ______ more you read, ______ more you learn.
- She has ______ MBA from ______ USA.
- ______ Ganga is ______ holy river.
- He wants to become ______ engineer.
- ______ Mount Everest is ______ highest peak.
- She earns ₹50,000 ______ month.
- He goes to ______ hospital to meet his doctor.
- ______ rich are getting richer.
- She is ______ European citizen.
- I need ______ X-ray of my chest.
- ______ more you practice, ______ better you become.
- He is ______ university topper.
- She plays ______ piano beautifully.
- ______ life is unpredictable.
📌 Click for Answers
- an
- The, the
- an, the
- The, a
- an
- X, the
- a
- X
- The
- a
- an
- The, the
- a
- the
- X
📚 Set 4: Error Detection (10 Questions)
Directions: Each sentence has ONE error related to Articles. Find the error and correct it.
- She is an university student.
- He is a honest person.
- She has a MBA degree.
- He is an European citizen.
- The Mount Everest is very tall.
- USA is a powerful country.
- He goes to the school every day.
- More you practice, better you become.
- She went to the hospital for treatment (as a patient).
- He earns ₹1,00,000 the month.
📌 Click for Answers
- an → a
- a → an
- a → an
- an → a
- The → X
- USA → The USA
- the → X
- More → The more, better → the better
- No error (as a patient → no article)
- the → a
📥 Download Practice Sets (PDF Format)
Get exam-focused practice materials in PDF format. Perfect for offline practice and revision.
📚 Topic-wise Practice Sets
A vs An (Basic)
Articles – Practice Set
PDF | 0.5 MBThe vs No Article (Basic)
Articles – Practice Set
PDF | 0.5 MBMixed Articles (Basic)
Articles – Practice Set
PDF | 0.5 MB📝 Full Length Tests
IBPS PO Prelims Articles
PREMIUM ADVANCED SET
PDF | 1.2 MBIBPS PO Prelims Articles
COMPLETE TEST
PDF | 1.2 MBSuggested Next Reads
🔗 Complete English Language Series for SBI PO Prelims 2026
- 👉 Prepositions for IBPS PO Prelims: 50+ Fixed Expressions with Practice Questions
- 👉 Conjunctions for IBPS PO Prelims: Complete Guide with 40+ Practice Questions
- 👉 Modals for IBPS PO Prelims: Can, Could, Should, Must – Complete Guide
- 👉 Active & Passive Voice for IBPS PO Prelims: Complete Guide with 50+ Questions
- 👉 Direct & Indirect Speech for IBPS PO Prelims: Complete Guide with 50+ Questions
- 👉 Adjectives & Adverbs for IBPS PO Prelims: 30 Rules with Practice Questions
- 👉 Error Detection Rules for IBPS PO Prelims: 50 Rules with 100+ Practice Questions
- 👉 Error Detection Practice for IBPS PO Prelims: 500 Questions with Speed Strategy
- 👉 Reading Comprehension for IBPS PO Prelims: 10 Speed Reading Techniques with 15 Passages
- 👉 Cloze Test for IBPS PO Prelims: 30 Passages with Grammar & Vocabulary Focus
🔗 Also check out English Language Prelims study material for other exams
- 👉 IBPS Clerk English Langauge Prelims Study Material
- 👉 SBI Clerk English Language Prelims Study material
- 👉 SBI PO English Language Prelims Study material
🔗 Also check out English Language Mains study material for other exams
Conclusion
IBPS PO Prelims में Articles का topic बहुत important है। इस article में हमने सीखा:
- Basic concepts (A, An, The) — quick revision
- Advanced rules for IBPS PO — abbreviations, “The” with proper nouns, comparative structure, fixed phrases, adjectives as nouns
- IBPS PO की smart attempt strategy
- 6 speed tricks for error detection in 10 seconds
- 10 common mistakes IBPS PO aspirants make
- 10 sample questions with detailed solutions
- 50+ practice questions (4 sets with increasing difficulty)
🎯 Final Words for IBPS PO Aspirants
Remember: IBPS PO में articles के सवाल Clerk की तुलना में ज्यादा tricky होते हैं। “University” (a), “Hour” (an), “MBA” (an), “European” (a), “The” with proper nouns — इन exceptions की अच्छी practice करो।
Practice Strategy:
- पहले सभी practice sets solve करो (50+ questions)
- जो questions गलत हों, उन्हें exceptions के साथ revise करो
- रोज 20-25 articles questions practice करो
- Abbreviations और proper nouns पर विशेष ध्यान दो
Articles में 90%+ accuracy लाना IBPS PO में भी आसान है!
💪 IBPS PO 2026 – आपका selection पक्का है!
यह article bookmark कर लो। practice questions को अच्छे से solve करो। अगले article में हम Prepositions cover करेंगे।
Best of luck for IBPS PO 2026 Prelims! 💯
Share this article with your friends who are preparing for IBPS PO 2026. Practice together and help each other master English!