General Awareness Test.

1. Which of the following is a programme to provide electric connections to those living below poverty line ?
(A) MPLADS
(B) Kutir Jyoti
(C) Ganga Kalyan Yojana
(D) Sangam Yojana
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

2. As per the guidelines issued by the SEBI the Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a must for which of the following ?
(A) Demat Accounts
(B) All Saving Banks Accounts
(C) All Housing Loan Accounts
(D) All Current Accounts
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

3. For getting National Old Age Pension the age of the person should not be less than—
(A) 50 years
(B) 55 years
(C) 58 years
(D) 60 years
(E) 65 years
Ans : (E)

4. Many a times we read about the priority sector in newspapers. Which of the following is/are considered segment(s) of Priority Sector in India ?
1. Agriculture
2. Small Scale Industry
3. Textile Industry
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

5. The average size of holdings in India is about 2 hectares or 5 acres. What problems do farmers normally face due to this ?
1. Proper irrigation facilities are not possible for these farms.
2. Scientific and advanced techniques are very expensive for these farms.
3. It does not pose a problem for them. These farms are ideal in size. Hence all sorts of advanced methods can easily be used for them.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2 is correct
(C) Only 3 is correct
(D) Both 1 and 2 are correct
(E) None is correct
Ans : (B)

6. Which of the following is considered a technological factor in the productivity of agricultural land ?
(A) Inadequate irrigation facilities
(B) Size of holding
(C) Pattern of Land Tenure
(D) Type of marketing facilities in the area
(E) All the above
Ans : (A)

7. Many times we read a term ‘Free Market’ in newspapers. What does it mean ?
[Pick up the correct statement(s)]
1. It is a market where pricing is driven by the laws of supply and demand.
2. In free market things are available without restraints of the government
3. In such markets goods are free from extraneous influences such as tariff or quotas.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) 1 and 2 both
(E) 1, 2 and 3 all
Ans : (E)

8. Earlier it was thought safe to allow each financial institution to carry out only one type of financial service. But now banks are selling shares, insurance companies can sell banking services.
These new financial conglomerates are colloquially referred to as—
(A) Multinationals
(B) Financial supermarkets
(C) Market regulators
(D) Brand Promoters
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

9. Marketing of agro products and also of the cottage industry is most important for economic development. Which of the following should be the major consideration for the marketing of rural products ?
(A) Proper storing facility only
(B) Proper holding capacity only
(C) Adequate and cheap transport facility only
(D) Small number of intermediaries only
(E) All the above are needed
Ans : (E)

10. Many people travel to different parts of India to work as agricultural labour as the wages given to them are different in different parts. Which of the following is/are determining factor(s) in deciding the structure of agricultural wages in India ?
1. Land to Labour ratio i.e. The number of people employed on a land holding of a particular size.
2. Nature of crop sown on the land. Food crops do not attract good wages whereas commercial crops do.
3. Nature of the area as a high productivity area will have higher wages and vice-versa.
(A) Both 1 and 2
(B) Both 1 and 3
(C) Only 2
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

11. The structure of the financial system in India can be divided into many segments. Which of the following is not one of these segments ?
(A) Industrial Finance
(B) Agriculture Finance
(C) Developmental Finance
(D) Government Finance
(E) Personal Finance
Ans : (E)

12. Which of the following statements about the changes in cropping patterns is/are correct ?
1. The Govt. of India can influence crop pattern through legislative and administrative measures.
2. The Cropping pattern normally depends upon the climatic conditions of the area.
3. As 80% of the agro products are being exported from India the cropping pattern depends upon the WTO stipulations in the field.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 2 are correct
(D) Only 2 and 3 are correct
(E) All 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Ans : (E)

13. The Head of the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) is called—
(A) Swami
(B) Karta
(C) Bharta
(D) Agraj
(E) Jyeshthi
Ans : (B)

14. The Banking Industry and financial sector in India has come a long way in the past few years. Which of the following were the major drawbacks of the banks in India, inherited from the British Raj owing to which the Govt. of India decided to nationalize them in 1969 and put them through a series of reforms again ?
1. Interlocking of directorship of big business houses.
2. Paucity of credit to socially and economically important sectors of the economy.
3. Shortage of trained manpower to handle the major task of economic development.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (D)

15. A national policy to provide rural credit was launched by the Govt. of India in general and by RBI and NABARD in particular. Which of the following cannot be considered as one of the objectives of this National Policy ?
1. To ensure timely and increased flow of credit to the rural sector.
2. To make available credit facilities to every region of the country so that there are no regional imbalances.
3. To establish a well organized network of informal/non institutional credit system in the country.
(A) Only 1
(B) Both 1 and 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (C)

16. Under Bharat Nirman Programme of the Govt. of India action is proposed in various areas. Which of the following is not one of these areas ?
(A) Irrigation
(B) Rural Roads
(C) Rural Housing
(D) Rural Water Supply
(E) Rural Employment
Ans : (E)

17. Which of the following is the name of the legislation, which provides employment to the poors in remote areas of the country ?
(A) NREGA
(B) POTA
(C) FEMA
(D) COFEPOSA
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

18. The Reserve Bank of India issues coins and notes of various denominations. At present RBI does not issue coins of which of the following denominations ?
(A) 10 paise
(B) 25 paise
(C) 50 paise
(D) 1•00 Rupee
(E) 5•00 Rupee
Ans : (A)

19. Many a times we come across a term ‘Know Your Customer’ in area of banking transactions. Which of the following is the main purpose of issuing Know Your Customer guidelines by the RBI ?
(A) To provide better customer service
(B) To keep a check on money laundering
(C) To bring more and more people in the Income Tax net
(D) To make high value transactions faster
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

20. Which of the following is not correct about the various targets set for 11th Five Year Plan ?
(Whole plan period 2007-12).
(A) Farm sector growth to be increased to 8%
(B) GDP growth rate to be increased to 10%
(C) Create 7 Crore new jobs
(D) Literacy rate is to be increased to 80%
(E) Reduction in unemployment amongst the educated youth
Ans : (A)

21. Many a times we come across a term read as ‘GM’ in reference to certain crops. What is the full form of the term ‘GM’ ?
(A) Geographically Moderated
(B) Genetically Modified
(C) Globally Marketed
(D) Grown after Modifications
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

22. Many a times we see a term in newspapers ‘IPO’. What is the full form of the same ?
(A) Indian Public Offer
(B) Institutional Purchase Offer
(C) Industrial Purchase Order
(D) Indian Purchase Offer
(E) Initial Public Offer
Ans : (E)

23. Which of the following is not the part of the Charter of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) ?
1. NRHM has to pay special attention to 18 States, which have weak Public Health Indicators.
2. Mission provides for appointment of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) in each one of four metros so that these metros become free from Polio, Malaria, and HIV infections by 2010 ?
3. It aims at effective integration of Private Sector in health sector so that government burden can be reduced to the level of mere policy maker.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 2 and 3
(D) Only 3
(E) Both 1 and 3
Ans : (C)

24. Who amongst the following had said ‘small aim is crime’ ?
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(C) Smt. Indira Gandhi
(D) Dr. A. P. J. Kalam
(E) Dr. Manmohan Singh
Ans : (D)

25. The rate on which banks lend to RBI is known as—
(A) CRR
(B) PLR
(C) Bank Rate
(D) REPO Rate
(E) SLR
Ans : (A)

26. Which of the following name is not associated with the insurance business in India ?
(A) Bajaj Allianz
(B) LIC
(C) GIC
(D) Tata AIG
(E) GE Money
Ans : (E)

27. Which of the following awards is given for excellence in the field of sports ?
(A) Kalidas Samman
(B) Dhyanchand Award
(C) Shram Vir Award
(D) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

28. Which of the following does not represent the name of a bank working in India ?
(A) YES
(B) HDFC
(C) TATA
(D) Kotak Mahindra
(E) Axis
Ans : (C)

29. Who amongst the following addresses the nation on the Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Delhi ?
(A) President of India
(B) UPA Chair person
(C) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(D) Prime Minister of India
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

30. Which of the following is considered an informal method of getting credit/finance ?
(A) Internet Banking
(B) Branch visits
(C) Going to money lenders
(D) Tele Banking
(E) All of these
Ans : (C)

31. Which of the countries represent letter ‘C’ in the category known as BRIC countries ?
(A) Canada
(B) Chile
(C) Cuba
(D) Croatia
(E) China
Ans : (E)

32. Nobel Prizes are not given for the performance in the area of—
(A) Literature
(B) Physics
(C) Chemistry
(D) Music
(E) Medical Science
Ans : (D)

33. Which of the following countries has not made any significant investment in India ?
(A) Japan
(B) USA
(C) Nepal
(D) Britain
(E) France
Ans : (C)

34. Twenty-20 matches are played in the game of—
(A) Hockey
(B) Football
(C) Badminton
(D) Tennis
(E) Cricket
Ans : (E)

35. Which of the following is known as Plastic money ?
1. Demand Draft
2. Credit Card
3. Debit Card
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 2 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (D)

36. In which of the following Hindi films actor Shahrukh Khan has played the role of a Hockey Coach ?
(A) Guru
(B) Chak De India
(C) Om Shanti Om
(D) Jab We Met
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

37. Which amongst the following nations is not a member of the SAARC ?
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Bhutan
(C) Nepal
(D) Maldives
(E) South Africa
Ans : (E)

38. Which of the following organizations/bank has done a commendable work in the field of micro finance and was awarded Nobel Prize also in the past ?
(A) Gramin Bank of Bangladesh
(B) CRY
(C) ASHA
(D) NABARD
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

39. Which of the following is not a Public Sector Unit/Undertaking/ Agency ?
(A) ECGC
(B) SEBI
(C) SIDBI
(D) Axis Bank
(E) BHEL
Ans : (D)

40. The European Union has adopted which of the following as a common currency ?
(A) Dollar
(B) Dinar
(C) Yen
(D) Peso
(E) Euro
Ans : (E)

41. Various Govt. agencies/organizations are given responsibilities for implementing various policies/decisions of the Govt. of India. Policies about credit flow to the agricultural/priority sector are framed/implemented through which of the following apex bodies ?
(A) ECGC
(B) NABARD
(C) UTI
(D) IDBI Bank
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

42. Which of the following is not a foodgrain ?
(A) Wheat
(B) Rice
(C) Maize
(D) Jowar
(E) Cotton
Ans : (E)

43. Many a times we read in newspapers about ‘Financial Inclusion’. What does it really mean ?
[Pick up correct statement(s)]
1. Allow the merger and acquisition of banks so that only few big banks exist and continue to cater to the need of corporate sector.
2. Expending the network of banks in such a way that people from lower strata of society also get the benefit of services provided by banks.
3. Providing Insurance cover to each and every citizen so that he/she can live a healthy and long life.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (B)

44. Which of the following is not a gallantry Award ?
(A) Vir Chakra
(B) Jeevan Raksha Padak
(C) Ashok Chakra
(D) Mahavir Chakra
(E) Saraswati Samman
Ans : (E)

45. Heavy Water is normally used by which of the following industries ?
(A) Nuclear Power generation plants
(B) Pharma Industry
(C) Paper Industry
(D) Sugar plants
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

46. As per news items published in various newspapers, Italy has offered its help in developing ‘SMEs’ in India. What is the full form of ‘SME’ ?
(A) Small and Monopolistic Economy
(B) Small and Medium Enterprises
(C) Speedy and Mechanical
(D) Small and Medium Level Economy
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

47. Which of the following indexes is developed to measure life expectancy, level of literacy, education and standard of living of people in a country ?
(A) Inflation
(B) Sensex
(C) Human Development Index
(D) SLR
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

48. Which of the following is a type of tax levied by the Govt. on goods and services ?
(A) SAT
(B) NET
(C) PAN
(D) VAT
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

49. Who amongst the following was made the Chairman of the National Land Reforms Council ?
(A) Smt. Sonia Gandhi
(B) Arjun Singh
(C) Pranav Mukherjee
(D) Kamal Nath
(E) Manmohan Singh
Ans : (E)

50. Which of the following is not a foreign bank working in India ?
(A) HSBC
(B) Barclays
(C) Standard Chartered
(D) Yes Bank
(E) All are foreign banks
Ans : (E)

English Language Test.

Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

Before my many years’ service in a restaurant, I attended a top science university. The year was 2023 and I was finishing the project that would win me my professorship.

My forty-second birthday had made a lonely visit the week before, and I was once again by myself in the flat. Like countless other mornings, I ordered a bagel from the toaster. ‘Yes, sir!’ it replied with robotic relish, and I began the day’s work on the project. It was a magnificent machine, the thing I was making– capable of transferring the minds of any two beings into each other’s bodies.

As the toaster began serving my bagel on to a plate, I realized the project was in fact ready for testing. I retrieved the duck and the cat–which I had bought for this purpose from their containers, and set about calibrating the machine in their direction. Once ready, I leant against the table, holding the bagel I was too excited to eat, and initiated the transfer sequence. As expected, the machine whirred and hummed into action, my nerves tingling at its synthetic sounds. The machine hushed, extraction and injection nozzles poised, scrutinizing its targets. The cat, though, was suddenly gripped by terrible alarm. The brute leapt into the air, flinging itself onto the machine. I watched in horror as the nozzles swung towards me; and, with a terrible, psychedelic whirl of colours, felt my mind wrenched from its sockets.

When I awoke, moments later, I noticed first that I was two feet shorter. Then, I realized the lack of my limbs, and finally it occurred to me that I was a toaster. I saw immediately the solution to the situation–the machine could easily reverse the transfer–but was then struck by my utter inability to carry this out. After some consideration, using what I supposed must be the toaster’s onboard computer; I devised a strategy for rescue. I began to familiarize myself with my new body: the grill, the bread bin, the speaker and the spring mechanism. Through the device’s rudimentary eye–with which it served its creations–I could see the internal telephone on the wall. Aiming carefully, I began propelling slices of bread at it. The toaster was fed by a large stock of the stuff, yet as more and more bounced lamely off the phone, I began to fear its exhaustion. Toasting the bread before launch proved a wiser tactic. A slice of crusty wheat knocked the receiver off its cradle, and the immovable voice of the reception clerk answered. Resisting the urge to exclaim my unlikely predicament, I called from the table : ‘‘I’m having a bit of trouble up here, Room 91. Could you lend a hand ?’’ ‘‘Certainly, sir, there’s a burst water pipe on the floor above, I suppose I’ll kill two birds with one stone and sort you out on the way.”

The clerk arrived promptly, and after a detailed and horrifying explanation, finally agreed to press the button on the machine and bring me back to my original state.

1. Why did the author believe that he would earn professorship ?
(A) The author was conducting experiments on his cat and duck
(B) The author was working on making a new toaster
(C) The author was working on a project where he was inventing a new machine
(D) The author thought that he was very intelligent
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

2. Why was the author afraid that the bread would get exhausted ?
(A) Because he thought he would remain a toaster all his life
(B) Because although he was throwing a lot of bread at the phone, the cradle was not coming off the hook
(C) Because there was limited bread in the room
(D) Because the author had forgotten to load bread in the toaster
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

3. What does the phrase ‘kill two birds with one stone’ used in the passage mean ?
(A) Take care of two things at one time
(B) Kill two birds with one bullet
(C) Kill both the cat and the duck simultaneously
(D) Please the clerk and gain professorship at the same time
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

4. Why did the author bring out the cat and the duck ?
(A) So that they could watch while he performed the experiment
(B) So that he could perform the experiment on them
(C) So that the cat could jump on the machine
(D) So that the author could call the clerk
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

5. The term ‘immovable voice’ as used in the passage means……
(A) hoarse voice
(B) fixed voice
(C) steady voice
(D) loud voice
(E) shaky voice
Ans : (B)

6. Which of the following is NOT true in the context of the passage ?
(A) The clerk was part of the experiment right from the start
(B) The clerk managed to bring the author back to his original state
(C) The experiment did not go completely as planned
(D) The author’s mind was transferred into the toaster
(E) All of the above are true
Ans : (A)

7. What was the author making ?
(A) He was making a toaster which could talk
(B) He was making a machine which could control animal behaviour
(C) He was making a machine which could convert itself into a toaster
(D) He was making a machine which could exchange the minds of two entities
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

8. Why was the author two feet shorter when he woke up ?
(A) Because he was transformed into a duck
(B) Because the cat had jumped on him
(C) Because he was transformed into a telephone
(D) Because he had not made the machine correctly
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

9. Who does the term ‘The brute’ used in the passage refer to ?
(A) The author
(B) The toaster
(C) The machine
(D) The clerk
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

10. How did the author manage to call the clerk ?
(A) By dragging the phone towards himself
(B) By hitting the button on the machine
(C) By shouting for help
(D) By flinging toast at the phone on the wall and then asking the clerk for help
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

Directions–(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. SYNTHETIC
(A) loud
(B) clothed
(C) real
(D) electronic
(E) soft
Ans : (B)

12. FLINGING(A) touching
(B) holding
(C) bending
(D) feeling
(E) throwing
Ans : (E)

13. INITIATED(A) withstand
(B) worked
(C) stopped
(D) started
(E) culminate
Ans : (D)

Directions–(Q. 14–15) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. TERRIBLE(A) better
(B) wonderful
(C) extreme
(D) awful
(E) fearful
Ans : (B)

15. RUDIMENTARY
(A) advanced
(B) basic
(C) evil
(D) forward
(E) artificial
Ans : (A)

Directions–(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is given and no correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.

16. One of the greatest actors pass away in his sleep at dawn today.
(A) passed away
(B) is pass away
(C) passing away
(D) was passed away
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)

17. In light of the current scenario people should think of saving money rather spending it.
(A) more of
(B) because then
(C) rather than
(D) rather of
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)

18. In every society there will always be a struggle between the rich and the poor.
(A) will always being
(B) is always being
(C) be always
(D) is always be
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

19. As he was keen in doing some social work, he established an NGO for the benefit of the downtrodden.
(A) is eager
(B) was keen on
(C) was eager
(D) is keen on
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)

20. I am very thanking to you for helping me get through this situation.
(A) greatly thanking for
(B) great thankful to
(C) very thanking for
(D) very thankful to
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)

Directions–(Q. 21–25) In each question below, a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e., ‘All correct’ as your answer.

21. She opened (A) and closed the apartment (B) door carefuly (C) and finally went for a walk. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

22. The information (A) contain (B) in this mail is privileged (C) and confidential. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

23. In the end, we will remember (A) not the words of our enemies, (B) but the silence (C) of our friends. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (E)

24. He decided to quite (A) the company (B) as he was not being (C) paid well. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

25. The first step towards (A) getting someway (B) is to decide (C) that you are not going to stay (D) where you are. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(1) When I arrived, they all sat around the table while I was given a chair to sit.
(2) And to show that the English could do great things, that evening I ate more than usual.
(3) One day the Emperor and his young Princes stated that they would like to invite me for dinner.
(4) Seeing this they further complimented me and I felt ecstatic.
(5) Of course I accepted and visited their palace.
(6) They were all full of admiration when they saw how much I could eat.

26. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (D)

27. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 5
Ans : (A)

28. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (C)

29. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 5
Ans : (C)

30. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 31–40) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)

31. One of the best way (A) / of improving (B) / your English is to (C) / read the language. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

32. I was halting (A) /at the station for (B) / the train to arrive when (C) / suddenly there was a loud noise. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

33. I reached (A) / lately for the meeting (B) / as I got (C) / stuck in traffic. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

34. Unless you (A) / work hard you (B) /will not achieve (C) / success in life. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

35. The labourers working at (A) / the construction site were (B) / very tiring and (C) / wanted to rest. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

36. As it was (A) / the boss’s birthday (B) / all the employees wanted (C) / to buy a gift to him. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

37. Priya got a (A) / new job and she (B) / happily told everyone (C) / about then. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

38. Being new to the country (A) / myself decided to first take a (B) / quick tour around (C) / the place I was staying. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

39. Since I had bought (A) / quite a few items (B) / the store keeper smiles (C) / and gave me a discount. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

40. After waiting for (A) /a very long time (B) / the man finally(C) / returned home frustrated. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

Directions—(Q. 41–50) In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

My father …(41)… a small estate in Punjab; I …(42)… the third of five sons. When, I was fourteen years …(43) …, my father sent me to college. But as it was expensive, I …(44)… after staying there for three years. I was then apprenticed to Mr. Bose, a well known surgeon. I worked …(45)…him for four years. During this period, my father would send me some money, which I used to study navigation, because I always felt that I would one day …(46)… to faraway lands.

When I …(47)… Mr. Bose, my father sent me to medical college. After …(48)… three years there, Mr. Bose got me the position of doctor on a ship. I …(49)… on the ship for three and a half years, after which I thought I would settle down in Kolkata. My master Mr. Bose used to send me some of his patients and I bought a small house. After a …(50)…, I got married to a local girl.

41. (A) live
(B) sell
(C) owned
(D) own
(E) lived
Ans : (C)

42. (A) was
(B) had
(C) for
(D) is
(E) wanted
Ans : (A)

43. (A) aged
(B) older
(C) elder
(D) age
(E) old
Ans : (E)

44. (A) leave
(B) went
(C) gone
(D) left
(E) go
Ans : (D)

45. (A) of
(B) under
(C) within
(D) to
(E) off
Ans : (B)

46. (A) visited
(B) travel
(C) flying
(D) visit
(E) travelling
Ans : (B)

47. (A) with
(B) finished
(C) leave
(D) wait
(E) left
Ans : (E)

48. (A) spent
(B) study
(C) complete
(D) nearly
(E) casual
Ans : (D)

49. (A) ran
(B) work
(C) stayed
(D) sleep
(E) travel
Ans : (C)

50. (A) while
(B) brief
(C) pause
(D) time
(E) stay
Ans : (A)

English Language Test / Indian Overseas Bank

English Language : Solved Paper

Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it.
Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the
questions.
Goldman Sachs predicted that crude oil price would hit $200 and just as it appeared that alternative
renewable energy had a chance of becoming an economically viable option, the international price of
oil fell by over 70%. After hitting the all-time high of $147 a barrel, a month ago, crude oil fell to less
than $40 a barrel. What explains this sharp decline in the international price of oil? There has not been
any major new discovery of a hitherto unknown source of oil or gas. The short answer is that the
demand does not have to fall by a very sizeable quantity for the price of crude to respond as it did. In
the short run, the price elasticity of demand for crude oil is very low. Conversely, in the short run, even
a relatively big change in the price of oil does not immediately lower consumption. It takes months, or
years, of high oil price to inculcate habits of energy conservation. World crude oil price had remained
at over $60 a barrel for most of 2005-2007 without making any major dent in demand.
The long answer is more complex. The economic slowdown in the US, Europe and Asia along with
dollar depreciation and commodity speculation have all had some role in the downward descent in the
international price of oil. In recent years, the supply of oil has been rising but not enough to catch up
with the rising demand, resulting in an almost vertical escalation in its price. The number of crude oil
futures and options contracts have also increased manifold which has led to significant speculation in
the oil market. In comparison, the role of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
in fixing crude price has considerably weakened. OPEC is often accused of operating as a cartel
restricting output thus keeping prices artificially high. It did succeed in setting the price of crude during
the 1970s and the first half of the 80s. But, with increased futures trading and contracts, the control of
crude pricing has moved from OPEC to banks and markets that deal with futures trading and contracts.
It is true that most oil exporting regions of the world have remained politically unstable fuelling
speculation over the price of crude. But there is little evidence that the geopolitical uncertainties in west
Asia have improved to weaken the price of oil. Threatened by the downward slide of oil price, OPEC
has, in fact, announced its decision to curtail output.
However most oil importers will heave a sigh of relief as they find their oil import bills decline except
for those who bought options to import oil at prices higher than market prices. Exporting nations, on
the other hand, will see their economic prosperity slip. Relatively low price of crude is also bad news
for investments in alternative renewable energy that cannot compete with cheaper and non-renewable
sources of energy.
1. Why are oil importing countries relieved ?
(A) Price of crude reached $ 147 not $ 200 as was predicted
(B) Discovery of oil reserves within their own territories
(C) Demand for crude has fallen sharply
(D) There is no need for them to invest huge amounts of money in alternative sources of energy
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
2. Which of the following factors is responsible for rise in speculation in crude oil markets ?
1. OPEC has not been able to restrict the oil output and control prices
2. The supply of oil has been rising to match demand
3. Existence of large number of oil futures and oil contracts
(A) Only 1
(B) Both 1 & 2
(C) Only 3
(D) All 1, 2 & 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
3. What does the phrase “the price elasticity of demand for crude oil is very low” imply ?
(A) When the price rises the demand for crude oil falls immediately
(B) A small change in demand will result in a sharp change in the price of crude
(C) Within a short span of time the price of crude oil has fluctuated sharply
(D) Speculation in oil does not have much of an impact on its price
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
4. Which of the following is/are TRUE in the context of the passage ?
1. The decline in oil prices has benefited all countries
2. Renewable energy sources are costlier than non-renewable ones
3. Lack of availability of alternative renewable energy resulted in rise in demand for crude
(A) Only 2
(B) Both 1 & 2
(C) Both 2 & 3
(D) Only 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
5. What has been the impact of the drop in oil prices ?
(A) Exploration for natural gas resources has risen
(B) The dollar has fallen sharply
(C) OPEC has decided to restrict its production of oil
(D) Economic depression in oil importing countries
(E) Drastic fall in demand for crude oil
Ans : (C)
6. What led to alternative energy sources being considered economically feasible ?
(A) The price of oil rose by 70 per cent while renewable energy sources are cheap
(B) Exorbitant crude oil prices made alternative energy sources an attractive option
(C) Expert predictions that the price of oil would alternately escalate and plunge sharply
(D) Evidence that no new sources of oil and gas are available
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
7. What does the author want to convey by citing the statistic of 2005-2007 ?
(A) The prices of crude were rising gradually so people were not alarmed
(B) The dollar was a strong currency during that period
(C) Many people turned to alternative renewable energy sources because of high oil prices
(D) If the price of oil is high for a short time it does not necessarily result in a drop in consumption
(E) People did not control their demand for fuel then which created the current economic slowdown
Ans : (D)
8. Which of the following factors is not responsible for the current drop in oil prices ?
(A) Economic crisis in America, European and Asian nations
(B) Speculation in oil markets
(C) Weakening of the dollar
(D) Political stability in oil exporting countries
(E) All the above are not responsible for the current drop in oil prices
Ans : (E)
9. Which of the following is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage ?
1. OPEC was established in 1970 to protect the interests of oil importing countries
2. When demand for oil exceeds supply there is a sharp rise in price
3. Today futures trading markets set the oil prices to a large extent
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 3
(C) Both 1 & 3
(D) Only 2
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
10. Which of the following is the function of OPEC ?
(A) Controlling speculation in oil
(B) Ensuring profits are equally distributed to all its members
(C) Monitoring inflation in oil prices and taking necessary steps to lower it
(D) Guaranteeing political instability in oil exporting countries does not impact output
(E) Determining prices of crude oil
Ans : (E)
Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold
as used in the passage.
11. INCULCATE
(A) Modify
(B) Construct
(C) Initiate
(D) Fix
(E) Instill
Ans : (D)
12. FUELLING
(A) Incentive
(B) Supplying
(C) Stimulating
(D) Irritating
(E) Restoring
Ans : (C)
13. DENT
(A) Reduction
(B) Break
(C) Tear
(D) Breach
(E) Split
Ans : (A)
Directions—(Q. 14–15) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in
bold as used in the passage.
14. CONVERSELY
(A) Compatibly
(B) Similarly
(C) Likely
(D) Aligning
(E) Resembling
Ans : (B)
15. WEAKEN
(A) Powerful
(B) Nourish
(C) Intense
(D) Boost
(E) Energise
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should
replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct ? If the sentence is
correct as it is given and no correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.
16. We have hired an advertising agency to prepare a campaign to encourage people votes.
(A) People from voting
(B) Voting for people
(C) People to vote
(D) Votes by people
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)
17. During the training programme the new recruits will be briefed about how their role in the new
organisation.
(A) What their roles
(B) About their role
(C) For its roles
(D) Which are their role
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)
18. The equipment is in such poor condition that we have no alternative to buy new ones.
(A) Many alternative like
(B) Any alternative except
(C) No other alternative
(D) No alternative but
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)
19. Since the deadline has been changed from next week to this Thursday you should give this work
priority.
(A) Be given this work priority
(B) Not give priority this work
(C) Prioritised this work
(D) Priority this work
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)
20. After the success of our project we have been receiving more requests than we do not have the
resources to handle them.
(A) Many requests but
(B) Most of the requests
(C) More requests that
(D) Too many requests
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)
Directions—(Q. 21–25) In each question below, a sentence with four words printed in bold type is
given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D).One of these four words printed in bold may be either
wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt
or inappropriate, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are
correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e., ‘All correct’ as your
answer.
21. The document (A) he gave me was long and complicated (B) and I struggled (C) to understand (D)
it. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
22. We shall have to await (A) and see if these measures (B) are sufficient (C) to address (D) the
problem. All correct (E)
Ans : (A)
23. They are negotiating (A) to try and reach (B) an agreement which will beneficial (C) everyone
concerned. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
24. The company has decided (A) to allott (B) a substantial (C) portion (D) of its profits to research and
development. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)
25. It remains (A) to be seen whether (B) these reforms (C) will be acceptable (D) by the Board. All
correct (E)
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following five sentences (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) in the proper
sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(1) For instance, if we measure the room temperature continuously and plot its graph with time on Xaxis
and temperature on the Y-axis,we get a continuous waveform, which is an analog signal. Analog is
always continuous.
(2) The absence or presence of something can be used to plot a digital signal.
(3) An analog signal is a continuously varying signal, similar to a sinusoidal waveform.
(4) Any signal can be classified into one of the two types : analog and digital.
(5) In contrast, a digital signal takes the form of pulses,where we have something or nothing.
26. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (D)
27. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (B)
28. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (E)
29. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (A)
30. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (C)
Directions—(Q. 31–40) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or
idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the
answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E) (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
31. He has taken care to (A) / compliance with the norms (B) / so he expects the proposal (C) / to be
approved without delay. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
32. Under the terms of the new deal (A) / the channel can broadcast (B) / the next cricket tournament to
be (C) / played among India and Australia. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
33. Our equipment gets damage (A) / very often in summer (B) / because there are (C) / frequent power
cuts. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
34. We have received many (A) / of the letters from customers (B) / asking us to extend (C) / the
deadline to repay their loans. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
35. Since I had lived there (A) / for many years the villagers (B) / were very comfortable talked (C) / to
me about their problems. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
36. We have been under (A) / a lot of pressure to (B) / open fifty new stores (C) / by the ending of the
year. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
37. The government has (A) / launched many creative schemes (B) / to make banking services (C) /
available to everyone. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
38. The company is in debt (A) / and has been unable (B) / to pay their employees’ salaries (C) / for the
past six months. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
39. This is turned out to be (A) / one of our most successful projects (B) / and we have made quite (C) /
a large profit from it. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
40. A non banking financial company is a (A) / financial institution similarly to a bank (B) / but it
cannot issue (C) / cheque books to customers. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
Directions—(Q. 41–50) In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered.
These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which
fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
On October 2, 1983 the Grameen Bank Project …(41)… the Grameen Bank. We invited the Finance
Minister to be the Chief Guest at our …(42)… ceremony. But when the Ministry came to …(43)… that
the ceremony would take place in a remote district, they said it would not be an …(44)… place to
launch a Bank and that the ceremony should be …(45)… in Dhaka so that all the top Government
Officials could …(46)… We stood firm and …(47)… to them that we did not work in urban areas so it
made no …(48)… to have the ceremony in a city …(49)… we had no borrowers. We had the ceremony
in a big open field with the Finance Minister present as Chief Guest. For all of us who had worked so
hard to …(50)… this it was a dream come true.
41. (A) reorganised
(B) merged
(C) named
(D) converted
(E) became
Ans : (E)
42. (A) opening
(B) closing
(C) dedicated
(D) inaugurate
(E) induction
Ans : (A)
43. (A) reveal
(B) know
(C) aware
(D) inform
(E) acquaint
Ans : (B)
44. (A) excellent
(B) available
(C) inauspicious
(D) appropriate
(E) obvious
Ans : (D)
45. (A) invited
(B) assembled
(C) done
(D) shifted
(E) held
Ans : (E)
46. (A) present
(B) accompany
(C) attend
(D) involve
(E) entertain
Ans : (C)
47. (A) apologised
(B) told
(C) explained
(D) denied
(E) refused
Ans : (C)
48. (A) difference
(B) sense
(C) difficulty
(D) meaning
(E) point
Ans : (B)
49. (A) where
(B) while
(C) that
(D) however
(E) which
Ans : (A)
50. (A) obey
(B) achieve
(C) discover
(D) built
(E) perform
Ans : (B)