Allahabad Bank / Clerical Exam 2010 / Test Of English Language

Allahabad Bank

Clerical Examination 2010

Test of English Language

Directions—(Q. 1 to 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.

In a village in the East, there lived an old couple. They did not have any children and never spent an extra paisa on themselves. They never repaired their house or cooked good food. One day, a family moved into the village, it was their son’s second birthday and they sent two delicious laddoos to the old couple. The couple ate the laddoos with great relish. For days after they could talk of nothing else. Finally the old man could take it no more. He said to his wife, “Let’s buy the ingredients to make just two laddoos.” His wilfe agreed but said, “If I make the laddoos at home, the neighbours will know and will want a share. Let’s cook in the woods behind our hut. That way no one will ever know.”

The next day the old man purchased the ingredients from the market and they set off to the woods. Having never prepared food like this before, they ended up with three laddoos instead of two. The old couple returned home with the sweets, dying to eat them. But there was a problem. “It was my idea and I went to the market, so I ought to get two,” said the old man. But his wife refused to give in so easily and said, “Since I prepared the sweets. I ought to have two.” The day wore on and the argument continued.

At last, the old man suggested, “Let us not talk to each other. Whoever breaks the silence first will get one laddoo and the other person two.” His wife agreed. Hours passed, but neither of them spoke and finally they fell asleep with the bowl of sweets between them. That evening one of the neighbours knocked on the door but the couple did not answer for fear of losing the bet. Peering through the window, the man saw the couple lying on the floor with an untouched bowl of food. “They are dead !” he shouted and alerted the other villagers. Soon the door was broken down and the house was swarming with villagers. They discussed everything from the funeral to where the couple had hidden their wealth. But the couple lay still.

Finally, the villagers carried them to the cremation ground. As the flames licked his feet, the old man jumped up screaming “You win !” His wife jumped up too, happy that she had won. The two then rushed home leaving the bewildered villagers present there behind. But when they got home…Alas the door had been left open and they found a stray dog licking the last crumbs of the sweets from the bowl.

1. Why did the old couple cook in the woods ?
(A) It was very convenient to gather firewood
(B) To avoid the risk of their hut burning down
(C) To keep the fact that they were preparing laddoos a secret from their neighbours
(D) To hide the fact that they did not know how to prepare laddoos from their neighbours
(E) They did not have the ingredients to make enough laddoos for their neighbours as well
Ans : (C)

2. What caused the old couple’s sudden longing for laddoos ?
(A) They hadn’t eaten good food for several days
(B) They had attended their neighbour’s party and enjoyed the laddoos served
(C) They saw the mouth watering laddoos being served to guests at the party
(D) They had tasted the laddoos prepared for their neighbour’s son’s birthday
(E) They thought that the laddoos would satisfy their hunger for days to come
Ans : (D)

3. Why did the old couple initially not reveal that they were alive to the villagers ?
(A) To learn the villagers’ true opinion of them
(B) They did not like the villagers and were mocking them
(C) Neither of them wanted to be the first to speak and lose the bet
(D) To test the honesty of the villagers
(E) None of the above
Ans : (C)

4. What did the old couple disagree about ?
(A) Where they would cook their meal
(B) Which of them was entitled to the first laddoo
(C) Whether to share the extra laddoo with their neighbours
(D) The quantity of laddoos that they had made
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

5. What was the villager’s reaction to the old couple’s presumed ‘death’ ?
(A) They were upset and all came to pay their last respects
(B) They were worried about how to pay for the funeral
(C) They could not decide what to do with the couple’s wealth
(D) They disliked the old couple and demolished their house
(E) They dutifully arranged the couple’s last rites
Ans : (E)

6. Why did the neighbour peep into the old couple’s house ?
(A) To learn what they were being so secretive about
(B) To spy on them and discover where their wealth was hidden
(C) To complain as they had cooked in the forest
(D) To check up on the old couple as he did everyday
(E) Not clearly mentioned in the passage
Ans : (E)

7. Which of the following can be said about the old couple ?
(A) They did not have any relatives to look after them in their old age
(B) They were misers and did not spend even on keeping their house in good condition
(C) They were not allowed to eat sweets as they were old
(D) They were fond of animals and sometimes shared their food with stray animals
(E) They were afraid of the villagers and hid from them
Ans : (B)

8. Which of the following is/are TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(1) The old woman had prepared more laddoos than she had intended
(2) The family who had recently moved into the village were fond of the old couple
(3) The villagers were saddened by the death of the old couple and gave them a grand funeral
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2) & (3)
(C) Only (1) & (2)
(D) All (1), (2) & (3)
(E) None of the above
Ans : (A)

9. What puzzled the villagers?
(A) The old couple did not die in the fire
(B) The sight of the old couple whom they had presumed dead, alive
(C) The fact that the old couple had wasted good food
(D) The lack of concern the old woman had for her husband
(E) The old couple fed the laddoos to the dog.
Ans : (B)

10. Why did the old man scream when surrounded by the villagers ?
(A) He was afraid that his wife would get burned
(B) To scare away the villagers who wanted to kill him for his money
(C) His wife refused to allow him to eat more than one laddoo
(D) To indicate to the villagers that he was alive
(E) The fear of being hurt in the fire
Ans : (E)

Directions—(Q. 11 to 13) Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.

11. breaks
(A) interrupts
(B) separates
(C) solves
(D) defeats
(E) escapes
Ans : (A)

12. passed
(A) overtook
(B) occupied
(C) unnoticed
(D) proceeded
(E) succeeded
Ans : (E)

13. share
(A) half
(B) part
(C) participate
(D) divide
(E) common
Ans : (B)

Directions–(Q. 14 and 15) Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.

14. last
(A) new
(B) begin
(C) constant
(D) discontinue
(E) first
Ans : (E)

15. still
(A) restless
(B) noisily
(C) conscious
(D) calmly
(E) lifeless
Ans : (A)

Directions–(16 to 25) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical mistake/ error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. Mark the letter of the part with error as your answer. If there is ‘No error’, mark (E)

16. If his aim is to (A) / buy a house in the (B) / next three years he (C) / should start immediate saving. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

17. Can you explain why (A) / you were late this morning (B) / when we had to make (C) / such an important presentation ? (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

18. Their company is going to incur (A) / heavy losses this year because (B) / of the big discounts they (C) / offers to customers. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

19. The main advantage of (A) / investing such schemes (B) / is that you will not (C) / have to pay any taxes. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

20. The final decision can (A) / be taken only after (B) / we consider all (C) / the panel suggestions. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

21. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board is (A) / the government body who (B) / regulates investment received (C) / by Indian factories from foreign countries. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

22. Our company was recently (A) / award the contract (B) / to construct two major (C) / bridges in the state. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

23. That customer has (A) / written a letter (B) / thanks the manager (C) / for her timely help. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

24. Accordingly the circular (A) / that was issued yesterday RBI (B) / has raised the rate at (C) / which it lends to banks. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

25. A large number of policy (A) / have lapsed because many (B) / people have not paid (C) / their instalments on time. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 26 to 30) 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.

26. The Chairman has promissed (A) to look (B) into the matter (C) and take necessary (D) action. All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

27. Most (A) projects are delayed (B) because of the absents (C) of proper planning. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

28. He found (A) the company in 1980 to provide (B) electricity to people living (C) in rural areas. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

29. Salaries (A) of bank employees (B) are likely (C) to go above (D) by ten percent. All correct (E)
Ans : (D)

30. Since (A) the interest rate on bank deposits is low (B) at present, people prefer (C) to deposit their savings (D) in post office schemes. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 31 to 40) 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.

A rich merchant owned a beautiful horse. Now, one of his neighbours was keen to (31) this horse. He offered the merchant gold, (32) the merchant refused. This angered the neighbour. He (33) to trick the merchant. He disguised himself (34) a beggar and lay down at the (35) of the road, that the merchant used everyday. (36) at the sad plight of the beggar, he (37) from his horse and gently lifted the beggar (38) his horse. No sooner did the beggar get into the (39) than the galloped away. But hearing the merchant (40) out to him, he stopped when he was a safe distance away. “Please don’t tell anyone how you came to possess this horse. Some day an ill man may be lying by the roadside and people who have heard about your trick, may not want to help,’’ said the merchant. The merchant’s neighbour was deeply ashamed, rode back and returned the horse to the merchant.

31. (A) buy
(B) steal
(C) free
(D) train
(E) sell
Ans : (A)

32. (A) so
(B) unless
(C) otherwise
(D) but
(E) since
Ans : (D)

33. (A) desires
(B) decided
(C) declined
(D) deliberately
(E) deceived
Ans : (B)

34. (A) being
(B) alike
(C) as
(D) identical
(E) similar
Ans : (C)

35. (A) middle
(B) gutter
(C) ending
(D) distance
(E) side
Ans : (E)

36. (A) Carefully
(B) Distressed
(C) Misery
(D) Upsetting
(E) Unhappily
Ans : (B)

37. (A) stepped
(B) jump
(C) fell
(D) dismounted
(E) climbed
Ans : (D)

38. (A) with
(B) above
(C) from
(D) off
(E) onto
Ans : (E)

39. (A) saddle
(B) arms
(C) horse
(D) danger
(E) way
Ans : (A)

40. (A) appeal
(B) shouted
(C) call
(D) cried
(E) beg
Ans : (C)..

Punjab National Bank / Test of English Language / Clerical exam 2010.

Punjab National Bank

Test of English Language / Clerical Examination 2010.

Directions : ( Q 51 to 65)  : Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below ti. Certain words have been printed in hold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

Once upon a time, there lived an old lion. the lion, the king of the forest, had grown old. He bacame frail and due to this, he could not hunt for food. With each passing day he became more and more weak. he realised that he would not live for long if it continued like that. He thought how could he arrange for his food? After pondering over it for quite some time, he decided that he should have an assistant.

The lion thought that a fox would be the best person to handle this position as he was intelligent and clever. He summoned the fox and said, “Dear friend, I have always liked you because you are smart. I want to appoint you as my minister and advise me on all the affairs of the forest.” the old lion also asked the fox, that since he was the king of the forest he should not have to hunt for his food. With respect to this, the fox’s first duty as minister was to bring him an animal to eat every day. the fox could not refuse the king and accepted the offer.

After the conversation, the fox went out to find an animal for the lion. On the way, he met a fat donkey. He said “My friend, I have got good news for you. Your are very lucky. Our king, the lion has chosen you to be his chief minister. He asked me to meet yu and inform you about his decision.” The donkey was scared of the lion and said, “I am afraid of the lion. He might kill me and eat me up. Why has he chosen me as his chief minister? I am not even fit enough to be a minister as I am not as intelligent as other animals.” The clever fox laughed and said, “Dear, you donot know your great qualities. Our king is dying to meet you, He has chosen you because you are wise, gentle, and hard working. By serving the king, you will be the second most powerful animal of our forest. Imagine, all the other animals will respect you and seek favours from you.” You must not lose your chance in life.” So, the poor donkey was convinced and got ready to go along with the fox.

In this way, the fox managed to attract the donkey to the lion’s den. When the fox and the donkey approached, the lion was hungrier than ever. But he kept a smiling face and said, “Welcome, my dear friend. Come near me. You are my chief minister.” As the donkey come closer the lion pounced on him and killed him instantly. The lion thanked the clever fox and was happy to get the food. As the lion sat down to take the meal, the fox said, “Your Majesty, I know you are very hungry but a king must take a bath before his meal”. the lion thought it was good idea and told the fox to keep a watch on the carcass of the donkey:. The fox silently sat down to keep a watch on the donkey and thought to himself,. “I took all the trouble fo getting the donkey here. It is I who deserve the best portion of the meal” Thus, the fox cut open the head of the donkey and ate up the whole brain. When the lion returned he shouted, I wanted to eat the brain first”. The Fox smilingly replied, “Your Majesty, donkeys have no brains. If he had any, he would not have come near a lion at all.

51. Why did the lion decide to have an assistant for himself?

a) He was too lazy to hunt for himself.

b) He was old and weak and could not hut anymore.

c) He wanted someone to help him kill the fat donkey.

d) He could not handle the affairs of the forest alone.

e) None of these.

Ans : (b)

52. Why did the lion select the fox as his assistant?

a) He had heard that the fox had good hunting skills.

b) He wanted the fox to take over as the king of the forest.

c) The fox had offered to let the lion have his leftovers.

d) He had planned to eat the fox after luring him to become his assiatant.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( e )

53. Which of the following is the moral of the story?

a) An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.

b) Fools are deaf to wise words.

c) Never believe an enemy’s sweet talks.

d) morality can best be tested while one has power.

e) One can only lead a horse to water, not make him drink it.

Ans : ( c )

54. Which of the following is true in context of the passage?

a) Finally, the fox got the best part of the meal.

b) The donkey was appointed as chief minister to the king.

c) The donkey which the fox had brought for the king did not have any brain in his head.

d) The donkey was very intelligent and clever.

e) None is true.

Ans : (a )

55. What , according to the ion, was the fox’s primary duty as a iminster?

a) To force all animals to respect their king and seek favours from him.

b) To convince the donkey to become his chief minister.

c) To take over as the king of the forest since the lion ahd grown too old.

d) to bring him an animal to eat every day.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( d)

56. Why did the fox say ‘Our king is dying to meet you”?

a) The king would have died of hunger if the donkey did not meet him.

b) The king desperately wanted the donkey to be his chief minister as he was gentle and hard working.

c) The fox wanted to come with him to the lion so that the lion could eat him.

d) The king wanted to meet the donkey since all other animals respected the donkey more than the king.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( C )

57. What did the lion do when he saw the donkey in his den?

a) He was impressed by the donkey and made him his chief minister.

b) He ordered the fox to kill him and eat his brain.

c) He went to take a bath before meting the donkey.

d) He immediately noticed that the donkey did not have any brain.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( e )

58. Waht did the fox do when the lion went to take a bath before having his meal?

a) he secretly told the donkey to run away as the lion had planned to kill him.

b) he ate up the donkey’s brain as he had done all the hard work of bringing him to the lion’s den.

c) He held himself responsible for the death of the poor donkey and did not let the lion eat the donkey.

d) He killed the lion with the help of the donkey and became the king of the forest.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( b )

59. Which of the following best desrcibes the donkey?

a) Honest

b) Wicked

c) Clever

d) Opportunist

e) Foolish

Ans : ( e )

60. Which one of the phrases given below the following statement should be placed in the blank space provided so as to make a meaningfully correct sentence in the context of the passage?

When the lion did not see any brain in the donkey’s head _______

a) he spared his life and let him go.

b) he got upset with the fox for having selected such a donkey

c) he took his decision to make him the chief minister back.

d) The fox explained to him that donkeys do not have any brains.

e) None of these.

Ans : ( d )

Directions ( Q.61 to 63) : Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

a) FIT

a) Healthy

b) Deserving

c) strong

d) valuable

e) important

Ans :  ( b )

62. LOSE

a) misplace

b) suffer

c) dispose

d) defeat

e) miss

Ans : ( e )

63. POUNCED

a) climbed

b) grew

c) attacked

d) plunged

e0 roared.

Ans : ( c )

Directions (Q.64 to 65) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

64. HANDLE

a) mismanage

b) drop

c) confront

d) decline

e) uncover

Ans : ( a )

65. FRAIL

a) unhealthy

b) massive

c) rich

d) robust

e) civilised

Ans : ( d )

Directions Q. 66 to 75) 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 number of that part is the answer. If there is ‘NO error’ the answer is (5) (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any)

66. The student which (1) / you had thought (2) / so highly of has (3)/ failed to pass the examination. (4)/ No error (5)

Ans : ( a )

67. It will not be possible for you (1) / to catch the train on time (2) / beebecause the nearest railway station (3) / is at ten km away. (4) / No error (5)

Ans : ( d)

68. Whaen I called him yesterday, (1) / he offered to donate (2) / a handsome sum to (3) / the flood relief fund (4) / No eror (5)

Ans : ( c )

69. The constable said that (1) / the prisoner seize a (2) fully loaded gun from a policeman (3) / and shot the prosecutor. (4) / No error (5)

Ans : ( b )

70. Although he has been (1) / winning the elections (20 / all years, this year his popularity 93) / has substantially reduced. (4) / No error

Ans : ( c )

71. If a person has been give (1) / diplomatic immunity then he (2) / cannot be arrested on a (3) / foreign land under any circumstance. (4) / No error (5)

Ans : ( c )

Ans : ( c )

72. Considering about her good credentials, (1) / the manager offered her a job (2) / in his organisation (3) / despite the lack of experience. (4) / No error (5)

Ans : ( a )

73. A group of birds (1) / migrates from southern part (2) / in his organisation (30 / despite the lack of experience. (4) /  No error (5)

Ans : ( b )

74. Government took strict action (1) / against the doctors on strike (2) / but they refused to (3) / resume to work 94) / No error (5)

Ans : ( d )

75. Each of the survivors of the Tsunami (1) / have been offered free (2) / psychological consultation to ease their trauma, (40 / by some of the top consultants. (4) / No error (5)

Ans : ( b )

Directions ( Q. 76 to 80 ) : Rearrange the following six sentences (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph ;  then answer the questions given be them.

(A) To their surprise, however, the reward went to beggar who had contributed only a Rupee instead of a wealth donor.

(B) He recieved funds from many people as rich and poor donated generously to his trust.

(c) The man explained that the one Rupee given by the beggar was worth millions of Rupees as that was all the money he possesed and that he had made a much greater sacrifice than others.

(D) During the function everyone waited with bated breath to hear who had made the maximum contribution.

(E) A man went from town to twon to collect money for his chariable trust.

(F) On returning he decided to hold a function and reward the person whose contribution had been maximum.

76. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

a) A

b) B

c) D

d) E

e) F

Ans : ( d )

77. Which of the following should be SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

a) B

b) C

c) D

d) E

e) F

Ans ( a )

78. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement.

a) A

b) B

c) C

d) E

e) F

Ans : ( e)

79. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?

a) B

b) C

c) D

d) E

e) F

Ans : ( c )

80 Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement?

a) A

b) C

c) D

d) E

e) F

ans : ( b )

Directions : Q 81 – 85 : In each of the following questions six words are given which are denoted by (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F). By using all the six words, each only once, you have to frame a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. The correct order of words is the answer. Choose from the five alternatives, the one having the correct order of words as your answer.

81. (A) TO

(B) AROUND

(C) SEE

(D) THEY

(E) HIM

(F) HATED

(a) DFAECB

(b) DBFAEC

(c) DFCAEB

(d) DEACEB

(e) CEBFAD

Ans : ( c )

82. (A) UV-RAYS

(B) ABSORBS

(C) THE

(D) LAYER

(E) HARMFUL

(F) OZONE

(a) ACBEFD

(b) CFDBEA

(c) ACBFED

(d) CFBDAE

(e) CBEAFD

Ans : ( b )

83. (A) FINALISE

(B) WE

(C) DETAILS

(D) LATER

(E) THE

(F) WILL

(a) BFEACD

(b) BDCFEA

(c) BDCAEF

(d) ECFDBA

(e) BFAECD

Ans : ( e )

84.

(A) OTHERS

(B) HER

(C) SHE

(D) MISTAKES

(E) FOR

(F) BLAMES

(a) CFAEBD

(b) ACFEBD

(c) BDACFE

(d) CFDABE

(e) BDAFCE

Ans : ( a )

85. (A) pRACTISING

(B) SPEECH

(C) SPENT

(D) HIS

(E) HE

(F) HOURS

(a) DBCFEA

(b) DBFCAE

(C) EDCDAF

(d) FACBED

(f) ECFADB

Ans : ( e )

Directions ( Q. 86 – 90) : In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are numbered as (1), (2), (3), and (4). 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, if any, which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate. The number of that word is in your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, Mark (5) i.e. ‘All correct’ as your answer.

86. A large number of celebrities (1) / have joined an NGO involved (2) / in the movement for protection (3) / of animal writes (4) / All correct (5)

Ans : ( d )

87. The teacher liked the poem (1) / so much that she requested (2) / Saba to read it allowed (3) / to the whole (4) / class. All correct (5)

Ans : ( c )

88. As the wind blue (1) / harder every minute, (2) / people got a fairly (3) / good idea that a storm was approaching (4) / oth of them went to seek the help the town. All correct (5)

Ans : a )

89. The family had to bear (1) / a leaky sealing (2) throughout the rainy season (3) / as they could not afford (4) / to get it repaired. All correct (5)

Ans : ( b )

90. Breathe (1) / deeply and inhale the sents (2) / of Roses and Daisies in the landscaped gardens (3) / surrounding (4) my house. All correct (5)

Ans : ( b )

Directions ( Q91 – 100) : 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.

Once upon a time, there lived a sparrow on a banyan tree. She laid her eggs in the nest. One afternoon, a wild elephant came under the tree and in a fit of rage, broke a branch of the tree on which the nest was —— (91) —– Unfortunately, all the eggs of the sparrow —- ( 92 ) —— after falling down though the sparrow was saved. The sparrow was full of grief and began weeping for her eggs. A woodpecker, a close friend of the sparrow, heard her crying and asked her, “Why are you crying, my friend?” The sparrow said, “The elephant killed my offspring. If you are a true friend of mine, suggest a way to kill him” The woodpecker —-(94) —– her and told her that he knew a fly and she would definitely help them kill the elephant.

Both of them went to seek the help of the fly. The woodpecker said, “A wild elephant has crushed my friend’s eggs. We need your help in killing him.” the fly replied, “One of my friends is a frog. Let us go to him and take his help too.” They went to the frog and —- (95) —– the whole incident. The frog said, ” what can an elephant do before a united crowd like us? Do what I tell you. Dear Fly, you go to the elephant and hum a sweet tune into his ears. when he closes his eyes in delight, the woodpecker will poke his eyes. This way, he will become —- 96 —— When he gets thirsty, he will  ——– 97 ——- for water. I will go to a marshy land and begin croaking there. ——– 98 ——- that there is water, the elephant will come there. He will sink into the marshy area and ——– 99 ——-“

The next day in the noon, all of them played out the plan and the elephant was killed, as he drowned into a marshy area after being blinded by the woodpecker, when he closed his eyes in response to the music. Thus, the smartness of all the animals, enabled the sparrow in taking her ——- (100) ——- on the elephant.

91. a) broken

b) found

c) born

d) built

e) grown

Ans : ( d )

92. a) survived

b) broke

c) fell

d) escaped

e) damaged

Ans : (b )

93. a) poor

b) harmless

c) defective

d) attacking

e) wicked

Ans : ( e )

94) a) consoled

b) defended

c) ignored

d) protected

e) scolded

Ans : ( a )

95.

a) mention

b) narated

c) said

d) informed

e) revived

Ans ; ( b )

96.

a) sorry

b) dead

c) blind

d) unseen

e) regretful

Ans : ( c )

97.

a) drink

b) demands

c) need

d) want

e) search

Ans : ( e )

98.

a) assuming

b) accepting

c) recalling

d) informed

e) sure

Ans : ( a )

99.

a) kill

b) realise

c) hurt

d) die

e) fall

Ans : ( d )

100.

insult

b) fight

c) help

d) reenge

e) anger.

Ans : ( d )

Test Of English Language.

SBI Probationary Officers Examination 2008

Directions—(Q. 41–50) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.

The yearly festival was close at hand. The store room was packed with silk fabrics. gold ornaments, clay bowls full of sweet curd and platefuls of sweetmeats. The orders had been placed with shops well in advance. The mother was sending out gifts to everyone.

The eldest son, a government servant, lived with his wife and children in far off lands. The second son had left home at an early age. As a merchant he travelled all over the world. The other sons had split up over petty squabbles, and they now lived in homes of their own. The relatives were spread all across the world. They rarely visited. The youngest son, left in the company of a servant, was soon bored and stood at the door all day long, waiting and watching. His mother, thrilled and excited, loaded the presents on trays and plates, covered them with colourful kerchiefs, and sent them off with maids and servants. The neighbours looked on.

The day came to an end. All the presents had been sent off.

The child came back into the house and dejectedly said to his mother, “Maa, you gave a present to everyone, but you didn’t give me anything !”

His mother laughed, “I have given all the gifts away to everyone, now see what’s left for you.” She kissed him on the forehead.

The child said in a tearful voice, “Don’t I get a gift ?”

“You’ll get it when you go far away.”

“But when I am close to you, don’t I get something from your own hands ?”

His mother reached out her arms and drew him to her. “This is all I have in my own hands. It is the most precious of all.”

41. Why did the woman’s second son travel ?

(A) He was restless by nature
(B) He did not want to stay at home
(C) He was rich and could afford to travel
(D) His job was such that he had to travel
(E) None of these

42. Why did the woman’s eldest son not attend the festival ?

(A) He was not on good terms with his youngest brother who lived at home
(B) He had quarrelled with his mother
(C) His wife did not allow him to return home
(D) His job prevented him from taking leave
(E) None of these

43. How did the woman prepare for the festival ?
1. She bought expensive gifts for her children and neighbours.
2. She ordered her servants to prepare sweets and food well in advance.
3. She made sure that her youngest child was looked after so that he wouldn’t be bored.

(A) None
(B) Only 1
(C) Only 2
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) All 1, 2 and 3

44. What did the youngest child do while his mother was busy ?
1. He waited for a chance to steal some sweetmeats.
2. He pestered his mother to give him a present.
3. He stood at the door with servants.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 3
(D) Only 3
(E) None of these

45. Which of the following can be said about the woman ?

(A) She was a widow who had brought up her children single handedly
(B) She was not a good mother since her children had left home at an early age
(C) She enjoyed sending her family gifts at festival time
(D) She gave expensive presents to show that she was wealthy
(E) She rarely visited her grand-children because they all lived abroad

46. What did the boy receive from his mother ?

(A) She taught him the value of patience
(B) She encouraged him to grow up and live independently like his brothers
(C) She showed him the importance of giving expensive gifts
(D) She gave him a hug to express her love
(E) None of these

47. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?

(A) The woman usually ignored her youngest son
(B) The woman’s eldest son lived abroad
(C) The members of the woman’s family did not care about her
(D) The woman made all the preparations herself since she did not want to burden the servants
(E) The woman sent gifts to her children to ensure that they visited her

Directions—(Q. 48–49) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

48. Left
(A) Gone
(B) Quit
(C) Remaining
(D) Disappeared
(E) Forgot

49. Packed

A) Filled
(B) Squeezed
(C) Crowd
(D) Collected
(E) Untidy

50. Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word dejectedly as used in the passage.

(A) Calmly
(B) Happily
(C) Willingly
(D) Fortunately
(E) Softly

Directions—(Q. 51–55) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any 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)

51. Many multinational companies (A) / have not been as (B) /successful in India (C) /than we expected. (D) No error (E)

52. He has ruined (A) /his eyesight (B) /by not using (C) /his spectacles regularly. (D) No error (E)

53. Mostly of the (A) /newly recruited officers (B) /have no experience (C) /in the banking sector. (D) No error (E)

54. The resignation of (A) /one of our directors (B) /have caused the price (C) / of shares to fall. (D) No error (E)

55. There are many (A) /ways of which (B) /inflation can (C) /be measured. (D) No error (E)

Directions—(Q. 56–60) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required.’ mark (E) as the answer.

56. Each of the loan must be approved by the Branch Manager—

(A) Every loan
(B) Each one of the loan
(C) Any of the loan
(D) All of the loan
(E) No correction required

57. The issue was taken before the Municipal Corporation meeting last week—

(A) Taking place at
(B) Taken after
(C) Being taken in
(D) Taken up at
(E) No correction required

58. He has asked for the names of those employees involved in the project.

(A) had asked
(B) having asked about
(C) was asked that
(D) is asking
(E) no correction required

59. Considerate the traffic, it is better to leave for the airport an hour early—

A) While considering
(B) Consideration of
(C) Considering
(D) Being considerate to
(E) No correction required

SBI BANK PO (PT) SOLVED PAPER (Held on July 6 , 2008)

General English

60. He is a good leader, knowing that to motivate his employees to achieve—

(A) That known when
(B) Who knows how
(C) Which knows how
(D) Knowing what
(E) No correction required

Directions—(Q. 61–65) 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) The able bodied men of the tribe gathered to discuss how to climb the mountain.
(2) As part of their plundering they kidnapped a baby of one of the families.
(3) One day the mountain tribe invaded those living in the valley.
(4) “We couldn’t climb the mountain. How could you?”, they asked, “It wasn’t your baby !” she replied.
(5) There were two tribes in the Andes –one lived in the valley and the other high up in the mountains.
(6) Two days later they noticed the child’s mother coming down the mountain that they hadn’t yet figured out how to climb.

61. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

62. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) (6)
(B) (5)
(C) (4)
(D) (3)
(E) (2)

63. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

64. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

65. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

Directions—(Q. 66–70): In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered (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.

66. The income (A) of many people in rural (B) India is not adequate (C) to satisfy (D) their basic needs. All correct (E)

67. He is always (A) prompt (B) in caring (C) out instructions. (D) All correct (E)

68. The revized (A) rates (B) of interest will be effective (C) immediately. (D) All correct (E)

69. Such transactions (A) are quiet (B) expensive (C) and time consuming (D) for customers. All correct (E)

70. The guidelines (A) of the new scheme (B) are expected (C) to be finally (D) soon. All correct (E)

Directions—(Q. 71–80) 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/ phrases are suggested one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

I used to look …(71)… to the holidays. I was usually …(72)… to my uncle’s house where I …(73)… his children. I did not get paid a salary for …(74)… What I received in return however, was far more …(75)… My uncle was an avid reader. During the time I spent with his family I had an …(76)… to read the vast amount of books and magazines that he possessed. This improved my English to some …(77)… Reading became my new …(78–79)… spending my pocket money on a ticket to the cinema I began to …(80)… books. This has benefited me greatly.

71. (A) forward
(B) towards
(C) backward
(D) up
(E) around

72. (A) went
(B) sent
(C) visited
(D) travelled
(E) gone

73. (A) cared
(B) occupy
(C) guarded
(D) taught
(E) played

74. (A) them
(B) whom
(C) this
(D) now
(E) which

75. (A) expensive
(B) deserving
(C) helping
(D) demanding
(E) valuable

76. (A) opportunity
(B) ability
(C) use
(D) encouragement
(E) achievement

77. (A) distance
(B) extent
(C) time
(D) limits
(E) degrees

78. (A) activity
(B) hope
(C) hobby
(D) duty
(E) worship

79. (A) despite
(B) though
(C) by
(D) instead of
(E) while

80. (A) sell
(B) read
(C) exchange
(D) invest
(E) buy

Answers:
41. (D) 42. (E) 43. (A) 44. (D)
45. (C) 46. (D) 47. (B)
48. (C) 49. (A) 50. (C)
51. (D) Replace ‘than’ with ‘as’.
52. (E)
53. (A) Change ‘Mostly’ to ‘Most’.
54. (C) Change ‘have’ to ‘has’.
55. (B) Replace ‘of’ with ‘in’.
56. (A) 57. (D) 58. (E) 59. (C) 60. (B)
61. (C) 62. (A) 63. (E) 64. (D) 65. (B)
66. (E) 67. (C) 68. (A) 69. (E) 70. (D)
71. (A) 72. (B) 73. (D) 74. (C) 75. (E)
76. (A) 77. (B) 78. (C) 79. (D) 80. (E)