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Showing posts with label PREVIOUS PAPERS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PREVIOUS PAPERS. Show all posts
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Punjab National Bank Clerk (Second Shift) Exam., 2011
English Language
(Exam Held on 19-6-2011)
Directions– (Q. 1-15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases/sentences have been printed in bold/italics to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Once upon a time there was a shy and quiet octopus. He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious.
One day, the octopus was trying to catch a very slippery oyster. Before he knew it, he had tied himself into one massive knot, and he couldn't move. He tried with all his strength to wriggle free, but it was no good. In the end, despite the great embarrassment he felt at being seen in such a tangle, he had to ask for help from the passing fish. Many fish swam past, ignoring him, but one very kind little fish offered to help untie all those tentacles from all those suckers.
The octopus felt heartily relieved when he was finally set free, but he was so shy that he didn't dare talk to the fish and make friends with him. He simply thanked the fish, and quickly swam off. Later, the octopus spent the whole night thinking that he had wasted a great opportunity to make friends with that very kind little fish.
A couple of days later the octopus was resting between some rocks, when he noticed that everyone around was hurriedly swimming past. He looked into the distance and saw an enormous fish coming over to feed in that area. The octopus quickly hid; then peeping an eye out from his hiding place, he saw that the huge fish as chasing the kind little fish who had untied him. That little fish really needed urgent help, but the big fish was so dangerous-looking that no one dared to go near. The octopus, remembering how the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do whatever he could to come to his aid.
Without hesitating, the octopus shot out from the rocks, like a ray. He put himself right in the path of the giant fish, and before the fish could do anything about it, the octopus had shot out the biggest jet of ink of his life. He grabbed the little fish, and swam off back to hide in the rocks. Everything happened so fast that the big fish had no time to react. However, he soon recovered from the surprise. Off he went to the rocks, looking for the octopus and the little fish. Now he really wanted to gobble them down !
Soon, though, he began feeling a terrible itch; first in his gills, and then in his fins, and then allover his body. It turned out that this giant fish had a very sensitive skin and the octopus's dark ink had given him a terrible allergy !! So the big fish swam away, irritated all over.
As soon as he was gone, all the fish that had been hiding came and congratulated the octopus for being so brave. Then the little fish told them all how he had helped the octopus a few days earlier, but he had never known anyone to end up doing something so dangerous. Hearing this, the other fish discovered how nice the shy octopus was, and everyone around was keen to be friends with such a brave and honourable octopus.
1. How did the octopus save the little fish ?
(A) By asking the little fish to hide before the big fish could see him
(B) By putting himself between the big fish and the little fish and shooting a jet of ink at the big fish
(C) By shooting a jet of ink at the big fish and thus managing to kill it
(D) By calling out for help from all the other fish and carrying the little fish to safety
(E) By offering his life to the big fish instead of the life of the little fish
Ans : (B)
2. Why did the octopus have to ask for help from the passing fish ?
(A) He was bored of swimming alone and thus asked the fish to accompany him
(B) He desperately needed to make friends and thus needed the fish to help him
(C) Someone had tied him up in a knot and he could not get himself untied
(D) He needed help in order to escape from the big fish that had come to eat him
(E) He had gotten himself tied up in a knot trying to catch an oyster
Ans : (E)
3. 'He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious.' How can this sentence be best re framed without changing its meaning ?
(A) Having many friends, he was self-conscious despite being alone
(B) Being alone, he had many friends despite being self-conscious
(C) Being self-conscious, he went about alone despite wanting to have many friends
(D) Being alone, he was self-conscious despite wanting to have many friends
(E) Having many friends, he went about alone despite being self-conscious
Ans : (D)
4. Which of the following characteristics can be attributed to the little fish from the story ?
(1) Kind
(2) Persuasive
(3) Shy
(A) Only (1) and (3)
(B) Only (1)
(C) All (1), (2) and (3)
(D) Only (2)
(E) Only (2) and (3)
Ans : (B)
5. 'The octopus, remembering how the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do. What ever he could to come to his aid,' What feeling of the octopus towards the little fish does this line signify ?
(A) Revenge
(B) Suspicion
(C) Gratitude
(D) Compassion
(E) Repentance
Ans : (C)
6. 'Now he really wanted to gobble them down!' What emotion of the big fish does this sentence convey ?
(A) Happiness
(B) Pleasure
(C) Anger
(D) Helplessness
(E) Fear
Ans : (C)
7. Why did all the fish congratulate the octopus ?
(A) He had bravely saved the little fish from being eaten by the big fish
(B) He had successfully gotten himself untied all by himself
(C) He had managed to kill the big fish all alone and thus saved the lives of all the other fish
(D) He had finally managed to make a large number of friends in the ocean
(E) He had saved the little fish from the clutches of the oyster
Ans : (A)
8. Which of the following can be the most appropriate title for the t passage/story ?
(A) The Brave But Shy Octopus
(B) The Tiniest Fish
(C) The Fishes of the Ocean
(D) The Big Hungry Fish
(E) The Dumb Octopus
Ans : (A)
9. Which of the following characteristics can be attributed to the octopus from the story ?
(1) Troublesome
(2) Noble
(3) Brave
(A) Only (2)
(B) Only (1)
(C) Only (1) and (2)
(D) Only (2) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (D)
10. Why did the big fish swim away ?
(A) He got scared looking at the huge octopus' and decided not to attack the little fish
(B) He was driven away by other fish
(C) He was unable to locate the octopus and the fish
(D) He got a terrible itch all over his body from the octopus ink
(E) He decided that he would not be able to handle both the octopus and the fish together
Ans : (D)
Directions– (Q. 11-13) Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
11. MASSIVE
(A) Big
(B) Heavy
(C) Thin
(D) Frail
(E) Plenty
Ans : (A)
12. REACT
(A) Emote
(B) Respond
(C) Replay
(D) Look
(E) Answer
Ans : (E)
13. NEARLY
(A) Quietly
(B) Closely
(C) Next
(D) Almost
(E) Proximally
Ans : (D)
Directions– (Q. 14-15) Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
14. HURRIEDLY
(A) Sickly
(B) Fast
(C) Quickly
(D) Palely
(E) Leisurely
Ans : (E)
15. SHY
(A) Healthy
(B) Timid
(C) Happy
(D) Polite
(E) Bold
Ans : (E)
Directions– (Q. 16-20) In each of the following questions, a sentence/s contain/s a blank space. You have to choose from the options (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) and fill in the blank in such a manner that it completes the sentence/s in the most meaningful and grammatically appropriate manner.
16. The thieves knew that there was a lot of money in the bank and wanted to ……………….. on it.
(A) cash in
(B) borrow
(C) stash it
(D) steal
(E) purchase things
Ans : (D)
17. It was common knowledge that the Manager had committed a fraud. Just to……………….., the Manager was now lying through his teeth.
(A) admit it
(B) save his own skin
(C) reaffirm it
(D) jump the gun
(E) make hay while the sun shines
Ans : (B)
18. The rioting crowd had reached very close to Asha's house. Asha's brother somehow managed to avoid this crowd and reached home ………………..
(A) simply
(B) in one piece
(C) in silent
(D) in jiffy
(E) quicker
Ans : (B)
19. I have been so busy with work that I have not yet ……………….. to arranging my things in my new house.
(A) tried
(B) come ahead
(C) seemed
(D) attempting
(E) gotten around
Ans : (E)
20. I am hosting a party at my house tomorrow evening. I ……………….. you can make it on time.
(A) knew that
(B) understands
(C) hope that
(D) wishes that
(E) desire
Ans : (C)
Directions– (Q. 21-25) In each the following questions a short story is given with one of the lines in e story missing and represented by a blank. Select the best out of the five answer choices given, to make the story complete and coherent.
21. A King when once returning to his palace, complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he had been for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather. Definitely, this would need thousands of cows' skin, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, ……... The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a 'shoe' for himself.
(A) "Why don't you just make a concrete road instead ?"
(B) "We will immediately start killing all the cows in the kingdom to cover the road for you, your majesty.
(C) "We will immediately start mending the road so that you are not inconvenienced on your next trip."
(D) "Instead of spending all that money, why don't you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet ?"
(E) "You must be crazy to want better roads."
Ans : (D)
22. Two men were walking along one summer day. Soon it became too hot to go any further and, seeing a large tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches one man said to the other: "…………….It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything." "Don't be so ungrateful," rustled the tree in reply. "I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun. And you call me good-for-nothing !"
(A) "Look, the branches of this tree are so long
(B) "What a beautiful tree !
(C) "Had this tree not been here we would have had to bear the brunt of the heat
(D) "What a useless tree this is
(E) "I want to cut this tree down because of its usefulness
Ans : (D)
23. The father of a boy, who constantly lost his temper, gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence…………... He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The day passed and the
young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there.
(A) Due to constant hammering the fence broke into pieces
(B) Finally the father asked the boy to stop hammering nails into the fence
(C) The boy suddenly started losing his temper again
(D) The boy ran out of nails to hammer
(E) Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all
Ans : (E)
24. A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns ?" …………………., and just before it was ready to bloom, it died.
(A) So he pleaded with the rose to drop its thorns
(B) Quickly the man examined the thorns on the rose
(C) The man smelled the rose
(D) Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose
(E) Excited, he poured a lot of water into the pot
Ans : (D)
25. A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. ……………"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious, give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."
(A) The wise woman visited him a few days later and forced him to return the stone
(B) But after a few days, the stone started giving him a lot of trouble and he considered it unlucky
(C) But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman
(D) He went back to the mountains to look for another stone
(E) A few days later, he came back and asked for another stone from the wise woman
Ans : (C)
Directions– (Q. 26-30) Re-arrange 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 little one, whose mother's skin the Wolf was wearing, began to follow the Wolf.
(2) One day he found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside.
(3) Thus for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.
(4) A wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs.
(5) The wolf led the little one a little afar and soon made a meal off her.
(6) The wolf put it on over his own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.
26. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (E)
27. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (D)
28. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (A)
29. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 6
(B) 5
(C) 4
(D) 3
(E) 2
Ans : (D)
30. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (B)
Directions– (Q. 31-35) In each of the following sentences there are five parts (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5). Rearrange these parts to form a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence and choose the alternative which represents the arrangement.
31. (1) she bought
(2) her friend
(3) so happy that
(4) flowers for
(5) she was
(A) 1 4 2 3 5
(B) 3 5 1 4 2
(C) 2 5 1 3 4
(D) 5 3 1 4 2
(E) 1 5 324
Ans : (D)
32. (1) people attended
(2) there were
(3) the meeting that
(4) no seats available
(5) so many
(A) 5 1 3 2 4
(B) 2 4 5 1 3
(C) 2 5 1 3 4
(D) 5 2 1 3 4
(E) 1 5 32 4
Ans : (A)
33. (1) customers who visit
(2) want to know
(3) nowadays banks
(4) everything about
(5) their branches
(A) 3 2 4 1 5
(B) 4 3 1 2 5
(C) 2 3 4 1 5
(D) 5 3 2 4 1
(E) 1 5 2 4 3
Ans : (A)
34. (1) wait for them
(2) before we
(3) we should
(4) make this decision
(5) to explain
(A) 3 4 5 2 1
(B) 3 1 5 24
(C) 2 1 3 4 5
(D) 1 5 2 4 3
(E) 4 2 1 5 3
Ans : (B)
35. (1) one should
(2) in advance
(3) a house
(4) before buying
(5) plan well
(A) 1 5 4 3 2
(B) 4 2 1 5 3
(C) 2 1 5 3 4
(D) 1 5 2 3 4
(E) 1 5 2 4 3
Ans : (E)
Directions–(Q. 36-40) 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.)
36. A man sleeping (A) / at night in his cabin (B) / that suddenly (C) / his room filled with light. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
37. For hours the secretary ignoring them, (A) / hoping that the couple would (B) / finally be discouraged (C) / and go away. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
38. Working together for the first time, (A) / the father and son developed concepts of how (B) / they could accomplish the task and (C) / how the obstacles could be overcome. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
39. Once upon a time there was (A) / a water-bearer who had two large pots. (B) / each hung on each end of a pole (C) / who he carried across his neck. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
40. Often when we face obstacles (A) / in our day-to-day life, our hurdles (B) / seemed very small in comparison (C) / to what many others have faced. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
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 Noah's Ark things were getting a bit boring. Noah and his animals had spent so many days secluded there that they started organising games and activities to ...(41)... themselves. But, with all that pent up energy, the games got rather rowdy, and a woodpecker ended up drilling a hole in the bottom of the ark. As water began ...(42)... the boat, the hole got bigger. So, more water came in, and things got a bit disquieting.
One by one, different animals tried to ...(43)... the hole. They even got competitive about it because everyone wanted to be the animal that had saved the ark. The beaver built a dam over the hole, but not ...(44)... that worked. Everyone was ...(45)... and worried that the boat would sink. That was, until the bee started talking. The bee explained to everyone how it was that bees always worked together, as a team, each one doing the job they were best at. On hearing this, all the animals set about working together, each one playing their part by contributing their own special talent. The birds grabbed onto parts of the ark with their beaks, and flapped their wings furiously, lifting the boat up a little. The elephants ...(46)... up the water in their trunks and shot it back into the sea. The fastest animals ran here and there, collecting material. Those used to making nests' took this material and stuffed it quickly into the hole.
And so, working together, the animals managed to reduce the amount of water coming into the ark, but they still hadn't stopped it ...(47) ... Desperate, they kept asking each other if there were any other animals that could ...(48) ... They searched and searched, but there were no other animals left in the ark. Then suddenly, a little fish swam in through the hole. The animals ...(49)... that they still had not asked for, help from all the sea creatures. They asked the little fish to go and summon help to save their boat. He swam off and soon fish after fish ...(50)... at the ark. Even a big whale came, and the whale pressed its great belly against the hole in the ship. This stopped any more water from entering, and it gave the animals on the ark time to close up the hole.
41. (A) haunt
(B) entertained
(C) find
(D) kill
(E) amuse
Ans : (E)
42. (A) on
(B) pouring
(C) seeping
(D) entering
(E) coming
Ans : (C)
43. (A) watch
(B) fix
(C) blocks
(D) closed
(E) make
Ans : (B)
44. (A) more
(B) it
(C) also
(D) even
(E) so
Ans : (D)
45. (A) hungry
(B) scared
(C) much
(D) dead
(E) happy
Ans : (B)
46. (A) sucked
(B) dipped
(C) drank
(D) sorted
(E) draw
Ans : (A)
47. (A) completely
(B) not
(C) entire
(D) full
(E) flow
Ans : (A)
48. (A) worry
(B) worship
(C) help
(D) swim
(E) survive
Ans : (C)
49. (A) wept
(B) understand
(C) fought
(D) stood
(E) realised
Ans : (E)
50. (A) brought
(B) occurred
(C) arrived
(D) come
(E) swam
Ans : (B)
Once upon a time there was a shy and quiet octopus. He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious.
One day, the octopus was trying to catch a very slippery oyster. Before he knew it, he had tied himself into one massive knot, and he couldn't move. He tried with all his strength to wriggle free, but it was no good. In the end, despite the great embarrassment he felt at being seen in such a tangle, he had to ask for help from the passing fish. Many fish swam past, ignoring him, but one very kind little fish offered to help untie all those tentacles from all those suckers.
The octopus felt heartily relieved when he was finally set free, but he was so shy that he didn't dare talk to the fish and make friends with him. He simply thanked the fish, and quickly swam off. Later, the octopus spent the whole night thinking that he had wasted a great opportunity to make friends with that very kind little fish.
A couple of days later the octopus was resting between some rocks, when he noticed that everyone around was hurriedly swimming past. He looked into the distance and saw an enormous fish coming over to feed in that area. The octopus quickly hid; then peeping an eye out from his hiding place, he saw that the huge fish as chasing the kind little fish who had untied him. That little fish really needed urgent help, but the big fish was so dangerous-looking that no one dared to go near. The octopus, remembering how the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do whatever he could to come to his aid.
Without hesitating, the octopus shot out from the rocks, like a ray. He put himself right in the path of the giant fish, and before the fish could do anything about it, the octopus had shot out the biggest jet of ink of his life. He grabbed the little fish, and swam off back to hide in the rocks. Everything happened so fast that the big fish had no time to react. However, he soon recovered from the surprise. Off he went to the rocks, looking for the octopus and the little fish. Now he really wanted to gobble them down !
Soon, though, he began feeling a terrible itch; first in his gills, and then in his fins, and then allover his body. It turned out that this giant fish had a very sensitive skin and the octopus's dark ink had given him a terrible allergy !! So the big fish swam away, irritated all over.
As soon as he was gone, all the fish that had been hiding came and congratulated the octopus for being so brave. Then the little fish told them all how he had helped the octopus a few days earlier, but he had never known anyone to end up doing something so dangerous. Hearing this, the other fish discovered how nice the shy octopus was, and everyone around was keen to be friends with such a brave and honourable octopus.
1. How did the octopus save the little fish ?
(A) By asking the little fish to hide before the big fish could see him
(B) By putting himself between the big fish and the little fish and shooting a jet of ink at the big fish
(C) By shooting a jet of ink at the big fish and thus managing to kill it
(D) By calling out for help from all the other fish and carrying the little fish to safety
(E) By offering his life to the big fish instead of the life of the little fish
Ans : (B)
2. Why did the octopus have to ask for help from the passing fish ?
(A) He was bored of swimming alone and thus asked the fish to accompany him
(B) He desperately needed to make friends and thus needed the fish to help him
(C) Someone had tied him up in a knot and he could not get himself untied
(D) He needed help in order to escape from the big fish that had come to eat him
(E) He had gotten himself tied up in a knot trying to catch an oyster
Ans : (E)
3. 'He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious.' How can this sentence be best re framed without changing its meaning ?
(A) Having many friends, he was self-conscious despite being alone
(B) Being alone, he had many friends despite being self-conscious
(C) Being self-conscious, he went about alone despite wanting to have many friends
(D) Being alone, he was self-conscious despite wanting to have many friends
(E) Having many friends, he went about alone despite being self-conscious
Ans : (D)
4. Which of the following characteristics can be attributed to the little fish from the story ?
(1) Kind
(2) Persuasive
(3) Shy
(A) Only (1) and (3)
(B) Only (1)
(C) All (1), (2) and (3)
(D) Only (2)
(E) Only (2) and (3)
Ans : (B)
5. 'The octopus, remembering how the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do. What ever he could to come to his aid,' What feeling of the octopus towards the little fish does this line signify ?
(A) Revenge
(B) Suspicion
(C) Gratitude
(D) Compassion
(E) Repentance
Ans : (C)
6. 'Now he really wanted to gobble them down!' What emotion of the big fish does this sentence convey ?
(A) Happiness
(B) Pleasure
(C) Anger
(D) Helplessness
(E) Fear
Ans : (C)
7. Why did all the fish congratulate the octopus ?
(A) He had bravely saved the little fish from being eaten by the big fish
(B) He had successfully gotten himself untied all by himself
(C) He had managed to kill the big fish all alone and thus saved the lives of all the other fish
(D) He had finally managed to make a large number of friends in the ocean
(E) He had saved the little fish from the clutches of the oyster
Ans : (A)
8. Which of the following can be the most appropriate title for the t passage/story ?
(A) The Brave But Shy Octopus
(B) The Tiniest Fish
(C) The Fishes of the Ocean
(D) The Big Hungry Fish
(E) The Dumb Octopus
Ans : (A)
9. Which of the following characteristics can be attributed to the octopus from the story ?
(1) Troublesome
(2) Noble
(3) Brave
(A) Only (2)
(B) Only (1)
(C) Only (1) and (2)
(D) Only (2) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (D)
10. Why did the big fish swim away ?
(A) He got scared looking at the huge octopus' and decided not to attack the little fish
(B) He was driven away by other fish
(C) He was unable to locate the octopus and the fish
(D) He got a terrible itch all over his body from the octopus ink
(E) He decided that he would not be able to handle both the octopus and the fish together
Ans : (D)
Directions– (Q. 11-13) Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
11. MASSIVE
(A) Big
(B) Heavy
(C) Thin
(D) Frail
(E) Plenty
Ans : (A)
12. REACT
(A) Emote
(B) Respond
(C) Replay
(D) Look
(E) Answer
Ans : (E)
13. NEARLY
(A) Quietly
(B) Closely
(C) Next
(D) Almost
(E) Proximally
Ans : (D)
Directions– (Q. 14-15) Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
14. HURRIEDLY
(A) Sickly
(B) Fast
(C) Quickly
(D) Palely
(E) Leisurely
Ans : (E)
15. SHY
(A) Healthy
(B) Timid
(C) Happy
(D) Polite
(E) Bold
Ans : (E)
Directions– (Q. 16-20) In each of the following questions, a sentence/s contain/s a blank space. You have to choose from the options (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) and fill in the blank in such a manner that it completes the sentence/s in the most meaningful and grammatically appropriate manner.
16. The thieves knew that there was a lot of money in the bank and wanted to ……………….. on it.
(A) cash in
(B) borrow
(C) stash it
(D) steal
(E) purchase things
Ans : (D)
17. It was common knowledge that the Manager had committed a fraud. Just to……………….., the Manager was now lying through his teeth.
(A) admit it
(B) save his own skin
(C) reaffirm it
(D) jump the gun
(E) make hay while the sun shines
Ans : (B)
18. The rioting crowd had reached very close to Asha's house. Asha's brother somehow managed to avoid this crowd and reached home ………………..
(A) simply
(B) in one piece
(C) in silent
(D) in jiffy
(E) quicker
Ans : (B)
19. I have been so busy with work that I have not yet ……………….. to arranging my things in my new house.
(A) tried
(B) come ahead
(C) seemed
(D) attempting
(E) gotten around
Ans : (E)
20. I am hosting a party at my house tomorrow evening. I ……………….. you can make it on time.
(A) knew that
(B) understands
(C) hope that
(D) wishes that
(E) desire
Ans : (C)
Directions– (Q. 21-25) In each the following questions a short story is given with one of the lines in e story missing and represented by a blank. Select the best out of the five answer choices given, to make the story complete and coherent.
21. A King when once returning to his palace, complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he had been for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather. Definitely, this would need thousands of cows' skin, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, ……... The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a 'shoe' for himself.
(A) "Why don't you just make a concrete road instead ?"
(B) "We will immediately start killing all the cows in the kingdom to cover the road for you, your majesty.
(C) "We will immediately start mending the road so that you are not inconvenienced on your next trip."
(D) "Instead of spending all that money, why don't you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet ?"
(E) "You must be crazy to want better roads."
Ans : (D)
22. Two men were walking along one summer day. Soon it became too hot to go any further and, seeing a large tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches one man said to the other: "…………….It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything." "Don't be so ungrateful," rustled the tree in reply. "I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun. And you call me good-for-nothing !"
(A) "Look, the branches of this tree are so long
(B) "What a beautiful tree !
(C) "Had this tree not been here we would have had to bear the brunt of the heat
(D) "What a useless tree this is
(E) "I want to cut this tree down because of its usefulness
Ans : (D)
23. The father of a boy, who constantly lost his temper, gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence…………... He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The day passed and the
young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there.
(A) Due to constant hammering the fence broke into pieces
(B) Finally the father asked the boy to stop hammering nails into the fence
(C) The boy suddenly started losing his temper again
(D) The boy ran out of nails to hammer
(E) Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all
Ans : (E)
24. A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns ?" …………………., and just before it was ready to bloom, it died.
(A) So he pleaded with the rose to drop its thorns
(B) Quickly the man examined the thorns on the rose
(C) The man smelled the rose
(D) Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose
(E) Excited, he poured a lot of water into the pot
Ans : (D)
25. A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. ……………"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious, give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."
(A) The wise woman visited him a few days later and forced him to return the stone
(B) But after a few days, the stone started giving him a lot of trouble and he considered it unlucky
(C) But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman
(D) He went back to the mountains to look for another stone
(E) A few days later, he came back and asked for another stone from the wise woman
Ans : (C)
Directions– (Q. 26-30) Re-arrange 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 little one, whose mother's skin the Wolf was wearing, began to follow the Wolf.
(2) One day he found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside.
(3) Thus for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.
(4) A wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs.
(5) The wolf led the little one a little afar and soon made a meal off her.
(6) The wolf put it on over his own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.
26. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (E)
27. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (D)
28. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (A)
29. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 6
(B) 5
(C) 4
(D) 3
(E) 2
Ans : (D)
30. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (B)
Directions– (Q. 31-35) In each of the following sentences there are five parts (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5). Rearrange these parts to form a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence and choose the alternative which represents the arrangement.
31. (1) she bought
(2) her friend
(3) so happy that
(4) flowers for
(5) she was
(A) 1 4 2 3 5
(B) 3 5 1 4 2
(C) 2 5 1 3 4
(D) 5 3 1 4 2
(E) 1 5 324
Ans : (D)
32. (1) people attended
(2) there were
(3) the meeting that
(4) no seats available
(5) so many
(A) 5 1 3 2 4
(B) 2 4 5 1 3
(C) 2 5 1 3 4
(D) 5 2 1 3 4
(E) 1 5 32 4
Ans : (A)
33. (1) customers who visit
(2) want to know
(3) nowadays banks
(4) everything about
(5) their branches
(A) 3 2 4 1 5
(B) 4 3 1 2 5
(C) 2 3 4 1 5
(D) 5 3 2 4 1
(E) 1 5 2 4 3
Ans : (A)
34. (1) wait for them
(2) before we
(3) we should
(4) make this decision
(5) to explain
(A) 3 4 5 2 1
(B) 3 1 5 24
(C) 2 1 3 4 5
(D) 1 5 2 4 3
(E) 4 2 1 5 3
Ans : (B)
35. (1) one should
(2) in advance
(3) a house
(4) before buying
(5) plan well
(A) 1 5 4 3 2
(B) 4 2 1 5 3
(C) 2 1 5 3 4
(D) 1 5 2 3 4
(E) 1 5 2 4 3
Ans : (E)
Directions–(Q. 36-40) 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.)
36. A man sleeping (A) / at night in his cabin (B) / that suddenly (C) / his room filled with light. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
37. For hours the secretary ignoring them, (A) / hoping that the couple would (B) / finally be discouraged (C) / and go away. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
38. Working together for the first time, (A) / the father and son developed concepts of how (B) / they could accomplish the task and (C) / how the obstacles could be overcome. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
39. Once upon a time there was (A) / a water-bearer who had two large pots. (B) / each hung on each end of a pole (C) / who he carried across his neck. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
40. Often when we face obstacles (A) / in our day-to-day life, our hurdles (B) / seemed very small in comparison (C) / to what many others have faced. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
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 Noah's Ark things were getting a bit boring. Noah and his animals had spent so many days secluded there that they started organising games and activities to ...(41)... themselves. But, with all that pent up energy, the games got rather rowdy, and a woodpecker ended up drilling a hole in the bottom of the ark. As water began ...(42)... the boat, the hole got bigger. So, more water came in, and things got a bit disquieting.
One by one, different animals tried to ...(43)... the hole. They even got competitive about it because everyone wanted to be the animal that had saved the ark. The beaver built a dam over the hole, but not ...(44)... that worked. Everyone was ...(45)... and worried that the boat would sink. That was, until the bee started talking. The bee explained to everyone how it was that bees always worked together, as a team, each one doing the job they were best at. On hearing this, all the animals set about working together, each one playing their part by contributing their own special talent. The birds grabbed onto parts of the ark with their beaks, and flapped their wings furiously, lifting the boat up a little. The elephants ...(46)... up the water in their trunks and shot it back into the sea. The fastest animals ran here and there, collecting material. Those used to making nests' took this material and stuffed it quickly into the hole.
And so, working together, the animals managed to reduce the amount of water coming into the ark, but they still hadn't stopped it ...(47) ... Desperate, they kept asking each other if there were any other animals that could ...(48) ... They searched and searched, but there were no other animals left in the ark. Then suddenly, a little fish swam in through the hole. The animals ...(49)... that they still had not asked for, help from all the sea creatures. They asked the little fish to go and summon help to save their boat. He swam off and soon fish after fish ...(50)... at the ark. Even a big whale came, and the whale pressed its great belly against the hole in the ship. This stopped any more water from entering, and it gave the animals on the ark time to close up the hole.
41. (A) haunt
(B) entertained
(C) find
(D) kill
(E) amuse
Ans : (E)
42. (A) on
(B) pouring
(C) seeping
(D) entering
(E) coming
Ans : (C)
43. (A) watch
(B) fix
(C) blocks
(D) closed
(E) make
Ans : (B)
44. (A) more
(B) it
(C) also
(D) even
(E) so
Ans : (D)
45. (A) hungry
(B) scared
(C) much
(D) dead
(E) happy
Ans : (B)
46. (A) sucked
(B) dipped
(C) drank
(D) sorted
(E) draw
Ans : (A)
47. (A) completely
(B) not
(C) entire
(D) full
(E) flow
Ans : (A)
48. (A) worry
(B) worship
(C) help
(D) swim
(E) survive
Ans : (C)
49. (A) wept
(B) understand
(C) fought
(D) stood
(E) realised
Ans : (E)
50. (A) brought
(B) occurred
(C) arrived
(D) come
(E) swam
Ans : (B)
Allahabad U.P. Gramin Bank Office Assistant Exam., 2011
English Language
(Exam Held on 23-10-2011)
Directions–(Q. 1-10) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical 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 the errors of punctuation, if any)
1. A cigarette (A) / is make (B) / up of (C) / tobacco and paper. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
2. Sachin prefers (A) / extra (B) / sugars in (C) / his tea. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
3. I like (A) / to read (B) / comics in (C) / a evening. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
4. A garden (A) / usually have (B) / flowers and (C) / trees in it. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
5. A ring can (A) / be comprise (B) / of either gold (C) / or silver. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
6. In the (A) / room there was (B) / chairs, tables and (C) / cupboards. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
7. To climb (A) / a mountain (B) / is an extremely (C) / difficulty task. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
8. I would (A) / like to buy (B) / a house (C) / with a swimming pool. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
9. His youngest (A) / brother is elder (B) / enough to (C) / go to school now. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
10. All the child playing (A) / at the beach ran (B) / towards Sam when (C) / they heard him shout. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
11. "Many news papers and magazines pay a huge sum of money for sensational stories by well known public figures who wash their dirty linen in public." In the above statement the idiom wash their dirty linen in public." suggests which of the following ?
(A) The newspapers cover news about washermen.
(B) Washing materials have become expensive.
(C) There is a community of washermen that is being covered specifically in news for its public movement.
(D) Some public figures talk to the newspapers and magazines about personal things that one should keep private.
(E) Public figures refuse to talk to media people.
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 12-21) 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.
Women emancipation has had its way and there has been a change in the way women are looked at. For centuries women have been content to ...(12)... the ...(13)... of a wife, mother and home-maker. Men married with the idea of having ...(14)... to look ...(15)... their families. It seems very ...(16)... that these "talents" have remained ...(17)... for so ...(18).... These days one can ...(19)... women taking a higher proportion of jobs in shops, offices, colleges and universities than they did ten years ...(20)... It certainly makes me ...(21)... who is left at home to look after the homes, husbands and children, while the women are at work.
12. (A) terminate
(B) expect
(C) accept
(D) help
(E) humiliate
Ans : (C)
13. (A) business
(B) tact
(C) role
(D) con
(E) acting
Ans : (C)
14. (A) peace
(B) calm
(C) security
(D) someone
(E) dutiful
Ans : (D)
15. (A) after
(B) about
(C) away
(D) above
(E) beneath
Ans : (A)
16. (A) ritual
(B) curse
(C) decent
(D) ethical
(E) obvious
Ans : (D)
17. (A) hidden
(B) burden
(C) guise
(D) utility
(E) objective
Ans : (A)
18. (A) era
(B) long
(C) age
(D) duration
(E) length
Ans : (B)
19. (A) deny
(B) change
(C) point
(D) reward
(E) notice
Ans : (E)
20. (A) after
(B) ago
(C) behind
(D) time
(E) rewind
Ans : (B)
21. (A) wonder
(B) careless
(C) proud
(D) bloom
(E) disrespect
Ans : (A)
22. In the statement -"The doctors operated on her at the last minute and saved her life.", which of the following will be the most appropriate idiom to replace the phrase "last minute"?
(A) Eleventh Hour
(B) Twelfth Hour
(C) Tenth Hour
(D) Twenty Fourth Hour
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
23. In the statement -"Even though it wasn't his mistake he decided to be calm so as not to add fuel to the names." the phrase add fuel to the flames." suggests which of the following meanings ?
(A) To shout
(B) Follow non violence
(C) Take medicines and rest
(D) Add fresh causes for anger
(E) Be violent
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 24-28) Re-arrange the following five sentences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) in the proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph, and then answer the questions given below—
(a) However, there was a decline in sales following copyright issues on original songs .
(b) The trend started 3 decades ago with the advent of a Dew band in the market.
(c) Following this decline, there was tough competition between the remixes and original songs.
(d) The rise and fall in sales of remixes has been an interesting trend.
(e) The band's first few remixes met with opposition and ridicule but the youth liked them much as they had put new beats to original songs.
24. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence ?
(A) (c)
(B) (a)
(C) (e)
(D) (d)
(E) (b)
Ans : (D)
25. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence ?
(A) (b)
(B) (a)
(C) (d)
(D) (e)
(E) (c)
Ans : (D)
26. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence ?
(A) (b)
(B) (d)
(C) (c)
(D) (e)
(E) (a)
Ans : (C)
27. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence ?
(A) (e)
(B) (b)
(C) (a)
(D) (c)
(E) (d)
Ans : (B)
28. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence ?
(A) (a)
(B) (c)
(C) (d)
(D) (b)
(E) (e)
Ans : (A)
Directions–(Q. 29-38) In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are marked as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may either be misspelt 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.
29. At some places (A) in India, people nead (B) to boil (C) the water to make (D) it pure. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)
30. All (A) the diploma courses (B) that began (C) in January funish (D) by June. All correct (E) Ans : (D)
31. Had (A) he taken the medicines (B) on time, he would (C) have been cured (D) by now. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
32. The police (A) thoroughly examened (B) the parcel (C) that they suspected. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (B)
33. Past (A) Tuesday Vimal went (B) to the palace (C) to take some photographs. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)
34. We were (A) so late that we hardly (B) had time (C) to catch (D) the train. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
35. This year (A) he has (B) been perfforming (C) very well. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
36. Our guide (A) told us to be prepared (B) for a hard (C) day ahead. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
37. The leed (A) role in the play (B) was played (C) by a talented (D) actor. A11 correct (E)
Ans : (A)
38. He made (A) himself a cup of coffee (B) and ate (C) some biscuits (D) with it. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
39. In the statement – "The police could not understand anything about his story of the bandits who robbed him and vanished by magic.", which of the following idioms would best replace the phrase "could not understand anything about" ?
(A) Could not make head or tail of
(B) Could not prepare head and tail of
(C) Went tossing head and tail of
(D) Pronounced head and tail of
(E) Tossed a coin to determine head and tail of
Ans : (A)
40. In the statement – "The client wanted to hear all the aspects of the proposed deal before coming to any conclusions.", which of the following idioms would best replace the phrase "all the aspects" ?
(A) All the pros and cons
(B) All the black and white
(C) All the white and black
(D) All the hidden things
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
Directions–(Q. 41-50) 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.
Raju was a lonely farmer and had an ox with which he worked all day. Raju would share every problem with the ox as he regarded it to be his friend. One day, Raju was walking home with the ox. When he felt tired and could walk no more, he tied the ox to a tree and sat down to rest for a while. There was a school nearby. Raju overheard a teacher scolding the students, 'Here I am, trying to turn you donkeys into human beings, but you just won't study!’
As soon as Raju heard these words, his ears pricked up. A man could actually turn donkeys into humans! Perhaps, it may also be possible for him to turn an ox into a human! Impatiently, he waited for school to be over that day. When everyone had gone home, and only the teacher remained behind to check some papers, Raju entered the classroom.
'How can I help You ?' asked the teacher. Raju scratched his head and said, 'I heard what you said to the children. Will it be possible for you to turn my companion ox into a. human ? If you made it human, we could have such good times together.' The teacher decided to trick Raju. He pretended to think for a while and then said, 'Give me six months and it will cost you a thousand rupees.' The farmer agreed and rushed home to get the money. He then left the ox in the teacher's care.
After the six months had passed, Raju went to the school to meet the teacher. The teacher had been using the ox for his own work. Not wanting to give it up, he said, 'Oh, your ox became so clever that it ran away. He is the headman of the nearby village-Pokhar .'When Raju reached Pokhar he found the elderly sitting under a tree, discussing serious problems. They were taken aback when Raju marched up to the headman, grabbed his arm and said, 'How dare you ? You think you are so clever that you run away ? Come home at once !'
The headman was indeed a very wise man. He immediately understood that someone had played a dirty trick on the poor farmer. 'I am not your companion!' he said. 'Go and find the sage in the forest.' Raju found the sage sitting under a tree. Raju stared at the sage. The sage did not notice Raju, as he had closed his eyes; deep in meditation. Raju crept up and grabbed the sage's beard. 'Come back home now!' he shouted. The startled sage somehow calmed Raju.
When he heard what had happened, he had a good laugh. Then he told the farmer kindly, 'The teacher made a fool of you. Your ox must still be with him. Go and take it back from him. Try to make some real friends, who will talk with you and share your troubles, no animal will ever be able to do that!' Raju returned home later that day with his ox, sadder and wiser.
Directions–(Q. 41-45) Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
41. TRICK
(A) Befriend
(B) Welcome
(C) Decieve
(D) Humiliate
(E) Advise
Ans : (C)
42. REMAINED
(A) Allowed
(B) Balanced
(C) Continued
(D) Survived
(E) Stayed
Ans : (E)
43. CARE
(A) Charge
(B) Residence
(C) Consideration
(D) Hospital
(E) Contradiction
Ans : (A)
44. CLEVER
(A) Respectable
(B) Domestic
(C) Loveable
(D) Shrewd
(E) Awake
Ans : (D)
45. DEEP
(A) Sleep
(B) Fear
(C) Engrossed
(D) Superficial
(E) Certain
Ans : (C)
46. Why did the farmer talk to the ox ?
(A) He felt lonely and his work was monotonous.
(B) He wanted to entertain himself.
(C) He believed that the ox was a human in disguise.
(D) He regarded the ox as his friend.
(E) None of these.
Ans : (D)
47. Which of the following can be said about the teacher ?
(A) He had the ability to transform animals into human beings.
(B) He plotted with village men to trick the farmer.
(C) He tried to take advantage of the farmer's innocence.
(D) He was honest to his students.
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
48. Which of the following is NOT TRUE as per the passage ?
(A) Raju was a naive farmer.
(B) Raju misbehaved with the headman of a village.
(C) The sage had hidden Raju's ox.
(D) The headman advised Raju to meet the sage.
(E) The teacher was cunning by nature.
Ans : (C)
49. What was the teacher's intention for asking Raju to leave the ox with him for six months ?
(A) The teacher wanted to reduce Raju's dependency on animals.
(B) The teacher wanted to rescue the ox from Raju's trap.
(C) The teacher needed six months to convert the ox to human.
(D) The teacher presumed that the ox will forget Raju in six months.
(E) None of these.
Ans : (E)
50. What made Raju pull the sage's beard ?
(A) He believed that all sages were cheats.
(B) He was irritated, and hungry.
(C) He was angry at the sage who resembled the teacher.
(D) The ox had instructed him to do so.
(E) None of these.
Ans : (E)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK SPECIALIST OFFICERS EXAM 2011
Punjab National Bank (Specialist Officers) Exam., 2011English Language : Solved Paper(Held on 28-8-2011)
GENERAL ENGLISH
(EXAM HELD ON: 18-08-2011)Directions–(Q. 1-15) Read the following passage to answer the given questions based on it. Some words / phrases are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The advent of technology has fundamentally changed our lives, but one thing is for sure: The velocity of technological change will accelerate in an exponential manner with significant ramifications for all of us. Just imagine: over half of the scientists and engineers who have ever lived are alive today. China adds about 6.5 million graduates every year, half of them engineers and scientists. It is not only the sheer number of "innovators" who will push the boundaries of science, technology and ultimately life-change, but also the greater degree of interconnectivity which accelerates the generation of knowledge and creates a much more entrepreneurial environment for innovation and change.
What is particularly striking is this dimension of change. Today's technological evolution no longer solely affects what we are doing, but also who we are. Of course, the Internet is in many ways still a tool, but it has also become part of our DNA. This is true for governments (just think of WikiLeaks), for businesses and for individuals. In some way, we are "outsourcing" parts of ourselves – and this raises the question: Who owns our 'inner most' self -our desires or our mobile phone records, capturing where we are going and with whom we are meeting. Is it technology companies, our local phone providers, or is it still us ?
It is not only the velocity and nature of change, but also the increasing multiplicity of actors which characterizes the world of today and tomorrow. Ten years ago, the Group of Eight (G-8) countries represented more than 60% of the world's economic power. Today, much more than half of the world's economic growth is produced by so-called emerging countries. This multiplicity of actors not only highlights the geographic expansion and the extension of multi-stakeholder impact, but it also underscores the fact that power is shifting from the top down and from the centre to the periphery -leaving almost seven billion people who want to have their say and the capability to do so.
The geoeconomic and geopolitical power shifts taking place will fundamentally change our lifestyles – equally, so too will the cultural seismic shifts that are occurring. Going forward, prevailing Western values will have to increasingly accommodate Asian values, and vice-versa. By 2025, four of the five largest economies in the world will be non-Western and close to half of the Fortune 500 companies will originate in emerging countries. This will have a direct impact on all of us in terms of new brands, new lifestyles and new industrial ownership structures.
All of these accelerated trends – velocity, multiplicity, interconnectivity – are creating a completely new world in which the mastering of complexities will be the key challenge. Of course, the more complex the system is, the greater the risk of systemic breakdowns.
1. Which of the following is predicted about world' s largest economies by 2025 ?
(A) Three out of the five largest economies will be Asian
(B) Four out of the five largest economies will be western
(C) Three out of the five largest economies will be non-western
(D) The top five largest economies will be non-western
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
2. Which of the following is indicated about technology ?
(A) Technology changes will be more rapid now
(B) Technology will not bring about major societal changes now
(C) Number of innovations has gone down now
(D) Technologically advanced countries will represent 60% of world's economic power
(E) Telecommunication will see more advancement as compared to other areas
Ans : (A)
3. Which of the following would, in future, be true about cultural changes ?
(A) Western culture will affect Asian culture
(B) Asian culture will affect western culture
(C) Both western and Asian culture and values will adjust and mingle with each other
(D) No culture will be able to influence the other culture
(E) Inspite of other rapid changes, cultural changes will be slow
Ans : (C)
4. Which of the following is predicted about the Fortune 500 Companies ?
(A) Many of these companies will shift their base to the emerging countries
(B) Fortune 500 will be replaced by Fortune 2025
(C) Many new companies initiated in emerging countries will find place in Fortune 500
(D) None of the presently included countries will remain in Fortune 500 group by 2025
(E) The share of western countries will be less than 20% in Fortune 500
Ans : (C)
5. Which of the following may be the best title for the passage ?
(A) Technology
(B) New world complexities
(C) Convergence of Asian Values
(D) Innennost Vs outerself
(E) Changing lifestyle by 2025
Ans : (B)
6. Which of the following is true about world economy?
(A) The share of G-8 countries in the economic growth is just 10%
(B) More countries from western world now contribute to the world's economy
(C) There are five countries which contribute about 60% of world's economic growth
(D) More than 50% of world's economic growth now comes from developing countries
(E) The growth rate of GDP of most of the western countries is much more than what it was 10 years ago
Ans : (D)
7. Which of the following best describes the meaning of "push the boundaries" as used in the passage ?
(A) accept the challenge
(B) creating more competition
(C) prove to the world
(D) achieve the unimaginable
(E) take technology from one area to the other
Ans : (A)
8. Which of the following has now become a part of our DNA ?
(A) Global cooperation
(B) Internet
(C) Western values
(D) Complex life style
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
9. Which of the following would be the key challenge in the new world ?
(A) Controlling geopolitical power shifts
(B) Mastering the emerging complexities
(C) Pushing the boundaries of science
(D) Overcoming the power of internet
(E) The power shift from the centre to the periphery
Ans : (E)
Directions–(Q. 10-13) Choose the word(s) which is most nearly the same in meaning of the word printed in bold, as used in the passage.
10. accommodate(A) alter
(B) domesticate
(C) barrack
(D) include
(E) abide
Ans : (D)
11. ramifications
(A) ractifications
(B) backlashes
(C) consequences
(D) issues
(E) reverberations
Ans : (C)
12. accelerated
(A) new found
(B) unexpected
(C) rabid
(D) systemic
(E) fast paced
Ans : (E)
13. advent
(A) over-use
(B) importance
(C) approach
(D) arrival
(E) assurance
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 14-15) Choose I the word(s) which is most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold, as used in the passage.
14. striking
(A) friendly
(B) undistinguished
(C) interlocking
(D) noticeable
(E) non-colliding
Ans : (B)
15. key
(A) subsidiary
(B) closed
(C) primal
(D) locked
(E) over-ruled
Ans : (A)
Directions–(Q. 16-25) 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.
Delhi and Mumbai are the fifth and third cheapest cities of the world, out of 134 ...(16)..., says a news report. This comes as a ...(17)..., naturally, to those who live in these places and have been led to. ..(18) ... that they lead a pretty expensive life. Particularly what with the global commodity price boom pushing up material prices and all kinds of labour costs. With their considerable experience in 'arranging' surveys to deliver the desired results, many a Dilliwala or Mumbaikar might be tempted to ...(19)... the survey which came up with these results was ...(20)... by some sponsor or the other. Such cynicism goes out of the ...(21) ...when the same news report reveals that the survey was conducted by a respectable organisation. ...(22) ...a scrutiny of the top five cities and the two Indian cities, neighbours at the bottom yields a clue.
Tokyo leads the pack, followed by Oslo, Kobe, Paris and Zurich. One cannot readily vouch for Paris, but the other four are some of the most placid peaceful cities of the world. When we come to the bottom of the ranking, giving ...(23)... to Delhi and Mumbai are Tehran. Tunis and Karachi, the last mentioned being crowned the cheapest city of them all. Karachi gives the game away immediately, lifting all ...(24)... over what exactly is cheap in these places jostling for space at the bottom of the list. Life liberty and human dignity are what goes ...(25)... in these towns and what makes Delhi and Mumbai worthy contenders in the race to global cheapness. When crime goes unchecked, even after being widely reported and condemned, and criminals run rampant, life gets degraded, deformed, even extinguished. Life, in other words, gets cheap. Call it the lighter side of death.
16. (A) bigger
(B) participated
(C) sought
(D) designed
(E) surveyed
Ans : (E)
17. (A) reckoner
(B) shock
(C) mistake
(D) grief
(E) relief
Ans : (B)
18. (A) style
(B) believe
(C) display
(D) pretend
(E) deny
Ans : (B)
19. (A) deny
(B) protest
(C) oppose
(D) conclude
(E) conduct
Ans : (D)
20. (A) matched
(B) improved
(C) sponsored
(D) rejected
(E) manipulated
Ans : (E)
21. (A) doubt
(B) wisdom
(C) city
(D) door
(E) senses
Ans : (D)
22. (A) But
(B) Whether
(C) Would
(D) If
(E) As
Ans : (A)
23. (A) competing
(B) hints
(C) company
(D) significance
(E) threat
Ans : (C)
24. (A) inhibition
(B) definitions
(C) dependency
(D) mystery
(E) censor
Ans : (D)
25. (A) cheap
(B) unreported
(C) miss
(D) complex
(E) jostling
Ans : (A)
Directions–(Q. 26-35) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it or a wrong word has been used. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence which has been lettered (A), (B), (C) or (D). The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E) i.e. 'No error'. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).
26. To begun with (A) / three agencies were (B) / retained to study (C) / and submit recommendations. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
27. To clamp down on illegal mining (A) / that loses money for the Exchequer, (B) / local people need to empowered (C) / to vet and oversee operations. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
28. In real terms, it (A) / means passing up on (B) / opportunities that presents (C) / themselves to us. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
29. The failure to control (A) / losses or increase revenues (B) / in a market growing (C) / in double digit is significantly. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
30. There have been (A) / marked changes, (B) / but social rather (C) / then economic. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
31. Notwithstand his (A) / frequent indisposition, (B) / he has diligently attended (C) / every single court hearing. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)
32. The administration continued to (A) / improve bilateral relations, (B) / while deepening and (C) / formalizing the economic dialogue. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
33. The cause of rising crimes (A) / against women has its roots (B) / in the skewed sex ratio which (C) / males outnumber females. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
34. Now that more and more (A) / internet sites are tailored (B) / their services to the requirements of individual users, (C) / queries may yield different outcomes for different people. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)
35. These are among (A) / the many contentious points (B) / that the author make (C) / in his controversial book. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
Prathama Gramin Bank Officers Exam., 2011
English Language
(Held on 25-9-2011)
Directions–Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below them. Certain words/expressions are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought during the first three days of July, 1863. During the night of July 4, Lee began to retreat southward while storm clouds' deluged the country with rain. When Lee reached the Potomac river with his defeated army, he found a swollen, impassable river in front of him, and a victorious Union army behind him. Lee was in a trap. He couldn't escape. US President, Abraham Lincoln saw that. Here was a golden, heaven-sent opportunity - the opportunity to capture Lee's army and end the war immediately. So, with a surge of high hope, Lincoln ordered General Meade not to call a council of war but to attack Lee immediately. Lincoln telegraphed his orders and then sent a special messenger to Meade demanding immediate action.
And, what did General Meade do ? He did the very opposite of what he was told to do. He called a council of war in direct violation of Lincoln's orders. Finally the water receded and Lee escaped over the Potomac with his forces.
Lincoln was furious. "What does this mean ?" Lincoln cried "Great God ! What does this mean ? We had them within our grasp, and had only to stretch forth our hands and they were ours; yet nothing that I could say or do could make the army move. Under the circumstances, almost any general could have defeated Lee.
In bitter disappointment, Lincoln sat down and wrote Meade this letter. And remember, at this period of his life, he was extremely conservative and restrained in his phraseology. So this letter coming from Lincoln in 1863 was tantamount to the severest rebuke.
"My dear' General,
"I do not believe you appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee's escape. He was within our easy grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection with our other late successes, have ended the war. As it is, the war will be prolonged indefinitely. If you could not safely attack Lee last Monday, how can you possibly do so south of the river, when you can take with you very few -not more than two-thirds of the force you then had in hand ? It would be unreasonable to expect and I do not expect that you can now effect much. Your golden opportunity is gone, and I am distressed immeasurably because of it."
What do you suppose Meade did when he read that letter ?
Meade never saw that letter. Lincoln never mailed it. It was found among Lincoln's papers after his death.
My guess is – and this is only a guess – that after writing that letter, Lincoln looked out of the window and said to himself, "Just a minute. May be I ought not to be so hasty. It is easy enough for me to sit here in the quiet of the White House and order Meade to attack; but if I had been up at Gettysburg, and if I had seen as much blood as Meade had seen during the last week, and if my ears had been pierced with the screams and shrieks of the wounded and dying, maybe I wouldn't be so anxious to attack either."
1. Which of the following is the author's guess about the reason for Lincoln's withholding the letter to General Meade ?
(A) There was no point in lamenting over spilt milk as the matter was already over
(B) Decisions taken while sitting in ivory tower may not be as appropriate as those taken after witnessing the battle field
(C) The blood seen at the battle field and the shrieks of the dying heard by Lincoln
(D) General's views should be considered by President not-withstanding their merits
(E) He wanted to avoid confrontation with the General at that critical hour
Ans : (B)
2. What would have been the probable consequences had General Meade followed Lincoln's orders ?
(a) It would have prolonged the war further, indefinitely
(b) Lee's army would have got enough time for a safe escape
(c) The Council of war would not have granted permission to carry out the orders
(A) (a) and (b) only
(B) (a) and (c) only
(C) (b) and (c) only
(D) All the three (a), (b) and (c)
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
3. Abraham Lincoln had ordered General Meade not to……………..
(a) attack Lee while he had been at a disadvantage due to flooded river
(b) let Lee escape so that the war could be ended immediately
(c) call a council of war to discuss the attack on Lee's forces
(A) All the three
(B) (a) and (b) only
(C) (a) and (c) only
(D) (b) and (c) only
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
4. In the context of the passage, all of the following statements are true EXCEPT……………..
(A) General Meade would have found it difficult to win the war after Lee's safe escape
(B) General Meade failed to end the war because of the swollen Potomac river
(C) Abraham Lincoln's orders were violated by General Meade
(D) When Potomac river was in spate, Lincoln considered it as a golden opportunity
(E) Abraham Lincoln refrained from sending the letter to General Meade
Ans : (B)
5. What was the situation that made Lee uncomfortable on the fourth day of war while retreating ?
(A) His army had been defeated in a very humiliating manner
(B) He was trapped in an ambush laid down by the enemy's army
(C) His army was sandwiched between enemy's forces and a swollen river
(D) Storm clouds had deluged the country with heavy rains
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
6. What could be the probable reason why General Meade didn't follow Lincoln's orders ?
General Meade……………..
(A) knew that Lincoln was not empowered to issue such orders
(B) did not wish to terminate war so early
(C) was rule-bound and wanted to follow orders of Council of War
(D) having defeated the enemy, wanted to avoid further bloodshed
(E) was aware of the danger of crossing the swollen Potomac river
Ans : (D)
7. What was the outcome of General Meade' s inaction on Abraham Lincoln's orders ?
(a) Lee and his army could escape safely
(b) It infuriated Abraham Lincoln
(c) Lee's army was defeated and had to retreat
(A) (a) and (b) only
(B) (a) and (c) only
(C) (b) and (c) only
(D) All the three
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
8. The contents of the passage reveal which qualities of General Meade ?
(A) Timidity and arrogance
(B) Courage and humanitarian consideration
(C) Obedience and bravery
(D) Treachery and lack of patriotism
(E) Undue compassion for enemy and lawlessness
Ans : (B)
9. Abraham Lincoln was extremely annoyed with General Meade because…………….. (A) the latter had hurt his ego by violating his orders
(B) the General had procrastinated on his orders due to inertia
(C) a golden opportunity to win the war early was lost
(D) the latter had colluded with the enemy General
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
Directions–(Q. 10-12) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST NEARLY THE SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold.
10. Conservative
(A) Traditional
(B) Negative
(C) Backward
(D) Biased
(E) Unsymmetrical
Ans : (A)
11. Distressed
(A) Relieved
(B) Annoyed
(C) Sad
(D) Anxious
(E) Devastated
Ans : (B)
12. Grasp
(A) Understand
(B) Seize
(C) Knowledge
(D) Reach
(E) Assimilate
Ans : (B)
Directions–(Q. 13-15) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold.
13. Surge
(A) Thinning
(B) Flash
(C) Drought
(D) Iota
(E) Miniscule
Ans : (A)
14. Violation
(A) Breach
(B) Honouring
(C) Obedient
(D) Confirmation
(E) Regulation
Ans : (B)
15. Receded
(A) Accumulated
(B) Extended
(C) Deflated
(D) Reflected
(E) Advanced
Ans : (E)
Directions–(Q. 16-20) Rearrange the following six sentences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(a) What made him one of the richest men in the USA ?
(b) He had hundreds of men working for him.
(c) And he knew how to handle these knowledgeable men.
(d) What made Andrew Carnegie a successful businessman?
(e) They knew far more about steel than he did.
(f) He was called the steel king, yet he himself knew little about manufacture of steel.
16. Which of the following will be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
Ans : (B)
17. Which of the following will be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
Ans : (E)
18. Which of the following will be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
Ans : (A)
19. Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (f)
(B) (e)
(C) (d)
(D) (c)
(E) (b)
Ans : (A)
20. Which of the following will be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (f)
(B) (e)
(C) (d)
(D) (c)
(E) (b)
Ans : (C)
Directions–(Q. 21-25) Against each question number, an incomplete statement is provided. In the next column, there are fillers denoted by (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i). You have to find out which one, two or more of these can grammatically and meaningfully complete the incomplete statement provided against the question number. Accordingly, mark your answer where .answer choices are provided against question number repeated below the statement and fillers.
(a) he had to pay what the vendor had insisted on.
(b) yet, he seldom wins any easy bargain.
(c) yet, he somehow manages to maintain a win-win situation.
(d) and therefore, he always gets an edge over others.
(e) still, he rarely succeeds in being a beneficiary.
(f) but he refrains from seeking any benefits out of that strength.
(g) people are carried away by his perceived quality.
(h) he uses it for the society and not for self
(i) how can one expect him to benefit ?
21. His misunderstanding is that he acquired a good trick of the trade…………..
(A) (i) only
(B) Either (d) or (e)
(C) (g) only
(D) (d) only
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
22. He projects himself as a likeable person without really being so…………..
(A) (e) only
(B) (g) only
(C) (c) only
(D) (a) only
(E) Either (c) or (g)
Ans : (B)
23. His persuasive skills are of a higher order…………..
(A) (i) only
(B) (a) only
(C) (c) only
(D) (g)only
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
24. Despite being good at negotiations…………..
(A) (a) only
(B) (b) only
(C) Either (a) or (c)
(D) Either (a) or (b)
(E) Either (b) or (c)
Ans : (A)
25. He has serious limitations in convincing others…………..
(A) (e) only
(B) (a) only
(C) (c) only
(D) (d) only
(E) Either (d) or (e)
Ans : (C)
Directions –(Q. 26-35) Which of the following 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 i.e. "No Correction Required".
26. Favourable changes would be visible if proper information will be shared without any reservations.
(A) will be visible if proper information would be shared
(B) would be visible if proper information is shared
(C) would be visible through proper share of information
(D) were visible after share of information will be proper
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (B)
27. In the monsoon, large branches of trees suddenly break up and fall, wreck parked cars or a passing pedestrian.
(A) break up and fall suddenly, wreck
(B) suddenly break up, fall and wreck
(C) suddenly break off and fall, wrecking
(D) suddenly wreck, fall and break off
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (C)
28. People had been motivated to join the movement to fight poverty and use the armed struggle to get social justice.
(A) are motivated to join
(B) were motivated to joining
(C) had motivation for joining
(D) had been motivated for joining
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (E)
29. The Government discovered that though the scientist's seniority was entitled the highest grade in the service, his claims had been over-looked.
(A) scientist was entitled to the I highest grade by his seniority
(B) seniority of the scientist had been entitled to the highest grade .
(C) highest grade was entitled to the scientist with his seniority
(D) seniority was a factor to decide entitlement of the scientist to highest grade
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (A)
30. Through the experiment, the boy, had gained just enough knowledge to whet his appetite for more.(A) just enough knowledge to his appetite whetting for more
(B) enough knowledge just to whet his appetite much more
(C) just enough knowledge for whetting more and more appetite
(D) knowledge enough to whet is much more appetite
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (E)
31. The relationship has perceived by people of both countries as mutually beneficial and rewarding, so that they will develop trust and confidence.
(A) perception of relationship between people
(B) perceived relationship among people
(C) relationship as perceived by people
(D) relationship has to perceived by people
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (D)
32. While acknowledging his knowledge and technical competence, the official sources lay down stress on his Integrity.(A) lay upon stress on the integrity
(B) lay off stress on his integrity
(C) lay stress on his integrity
(D) lay stress on him being a person on integrity
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (C)
33. There is an impact assessment zone where radiation levels are regularly monitoring.
(A) level is regularly monitoring
(B) level is regular to monitor
(C) levels are regularly monitored
(D) level is monitoring regularly
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (C)
34. What should they do with the enormous wealth is their lookout.
(A) they should have done with the enormous wealth have
(B) should they do if the wealth is enormous is
(C) should they be doing for the enormous wealth is
(D) they should do with the enormous wealth is
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (E)
35. Those who voted for change in the region now wonder about its whereabouts.(A) are now wonderful about its whereabouts
(B) have now wondered of its whereabouts
(C) now wonder at whereabouts of themselves
(D) wonder about their whereabouts now
(E) No Correction Required
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 36-40) In each sentence below there are two blank spaces. Below each sentence, there are five pairs of words denoted by (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). Find out which pair best fits 'in the blanks in the same serial order to make the sentence meaningfully complete. The letter of that pair is the answer.
36. She had done her graduation and has……………..working in the company……………..nearly twenty years.
(A) is, since
(B) is, from
(C) was, since
(D) been, for
(E) started, about
Ans : (D)
37. Although I was……………..in front of the house, I could not……………..it due to lot of changes around.
(A) facing, find
(B) standing, recognize
(C) right, believe
(D) working, help
(E) alighted, sense
Ans : (B)
38. Spending time is not a……………..as there are numerous……………..to keep me busy.
(A) boon, action
(B) disaster, works
(C) difficulty, occasions
(D) solution, problems
(E) problem, activities
Ans : (E)
39. He realized that poverty can be……………..not by raising slogans, but by……………..more and more jobs for the unemployed.
(A) eliminated, doing
(B) handled, enhancing
(C) eradicated, creating
(D) elevated, assigning
(E) dealt, offering
Ans : (C)
40. When the suppliers came to know that the li1aterial we purchased was for……………..work, they offered generous discount and also made free……………..
(A) relief, delivery
(B) personal, supply
( C) our, manufacture
(D) exceptional, resources
(E) trivial, passage
Ans : (A)
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.
The latest official figures of 2010 on ...(41)... say this: "A typical Indian worker is male,
...(42)... working in his midtwenties, is presumably better educated than before, ...(43)... most likely to find work as casual labour the ...(44)... secure of jobs. He is also more likely to ...(45)... a job, less likely to be interested in one, and will surely earn better money. His wife is less likely to work."
This is just the sort of ...(46)... that the government cautions observers not to paint, pointing to the formidable armies of the self-employed-those who ...(47)... your shoes, sell you roadside tea, and build a dhaba or a mechanic's shop-in the workforce. But be it the 'casual" workers or the self-employed, these are not the big, sweeping. ..( 48) ...that one expects to see 20 years after a big country starts liberalizing. ...(49) ..., the pro-portion of Indians in manufacturing jobs hasn't changed significantly ...(50)... the 90's.
41. (A) development
(B) economy
(C) employment
(D) education
(E) statistics
Ans : (C)
42. (A) decides
(B) starts
(C) neglects
(D) avoids
(E) pretends
Ans : (B)
43. (A) yet
(B) hence
(C) obviously
(D) and
(E) although
Ans : (A)
44. (A) financially
(B) more
(C) certainly
(D) least
(E) better
Ans : (D)
45. (A) assign
(B) seek
(C) create
(D) get
(E) delegate
Ans : (B)
46. (A) image
(B) guess
(C) riddle
(D) happening
(E) forecast
Ans : (A)
47. (A) wear
(B) polish
(C) handle
(D) sell
(E) steal
Ans : (B)
48. (A) realities
(B) tones
(C) alarms
(D) events
(E) changes
Ans : (A)
49. (A) Hence
(B) Liberally
(C) Subsequently
(D) Luckily
(E) Sadly
Ans : (E)
50. (A) before
(B) in
(C) since
(d) during
(E) over
Ans : (D)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Corporation Bank Clerk Exam., 2011
English Language (Exam Held on 12-6-2011)
Directions– (Q. 1–10) 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.
In a village by the Ganges, there once lived a Brahmin. He was a religious and God-fearing man. He earned his living by performing prayers in other people's home. One day the Brahmin was called to the neighbouring village to perform some ceremony. In return for his services, he received a goat as a present.
The Brahmin was very pleased and he set off for home with a goat on his shoulders, he thought to himself, "this was a generous family, to have given me a goat. My wife and children will be very pleased. As he walked down the path to his village he did not notice that he was being followed by three thieves. "We have to get that plump goat" said the first thief. It will make a great dinner for us," said the second thief. "We need to think of a plan fast," said the third. The three thieves then decided to fool the Brahmin.
The first thief approached the Brahmin saying "Dear Brahmin, you are a holy man, Why are you carrying a dirty dog on your shoulders ?" "A dirty dog," can't you see that it is a poor little goat. Are you blind ?" said the Brahmin angrily. The first thief laughed and walked away.
The Brahmin looked at the goat, indeed it was a goat, and so he resumed his journey homeward. A little further down the path, the Brahmin came across the second thief. The second thief said in astonishment, "You are a holy man, why are you carrying a dead calf on your shoulders”? The Brahmin was furious, "This is a live goat and not a dead calf."
The Brahmin had barely walked some distance when the third thief came running waving his arm towards the Brahmin "Drop that donkey at once, If people see you carrying a donkey on your shoulders, what will they think of you ?" By now the Brahmin was very confused. Three different people had told him that he was carrying an animal other than a goat. Something must be wrong he thought. "This is not a goat; this must be some monster that keeps changing its form." The terrified Brahmin threw the goat and ran home as fast as he could.
The three thieves had a great laugh. They had succeeded in their plan. They picked up the goat and left. How foolish the Brahmin had been to have believed them.
1. Why did the Brahmin let go off the goat ?
(A) He believed the first thief
(B) He believed the second thief
(C) He believed the third thief
(D) He thought the goat was a monster
(E) He did not want the goat
Ans : (D)
2. How did the Brahmin get the goat ?
(A) He bought it from the market
(B) He stole it from the three thieves
(C) It was given to him as a present
(D) He found the lost goat while on his way home
(E) He took it on loan
Ans : (C)
3. The thieves were following the Brahmin because-
(A) he was carrying a nice plump goat
(B) they wanted his blessings
(C) they did not know the way to the village
(D) he was a rich man
(E) he was unknown to them
Ans : (A)
4. How did the Brahmin earn his living ?
(A) By selling goats
(B) By performing prayer's
(C) By making sacrifices
(D) By donations
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
5. The various forms taken by the goat were-
(A) Form of a dirty dog
(B) Form of a dead calf
(C) Form of a donkey
(D) All (A), (B) and (C)
(E) Only (A) and (B)
Ans : (D)
6. Why was the Brahmin confused ?
(A) He noticed three different people following him to his village
(B) His wife was upset to see him with the plump goat
(C) He was surprised that the goat could take so many different forms
(D) Three different people told him he was carrying an animal other than a goat
(E) He lost his way to the village after performing the ceremony
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 7 and 8) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
7. Resumed
(A) Started
(B) Commenced
(C) Continued
(D) Changed
(E) Directed
Ans : (C)
8. Generous
(A) Kind
(B) Rich
(C) Selfish
(D) Liberal
(E) Fortunate
Ans : (A)
Directions– (Q.9 and 10) Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
9. Plump
(A) Hungry
(B) Thin
(C) Stout
(D) Pampered
(E) Innocent
Ans : (C)
10. Terrified
(A) Baffled
(B) Alarmed
(C) Confused
(D) Scared
(E) Fearless
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 11–15) Read each sentence to find out whether 1here is any grammatical 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) i.e., 'No Error'. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any.)
11. The bus waiting (A) / for all the passengers (B) / to enter (C) / before it took off. (D) No Error (E)
Ans : (A)
12. Daily prayer and meditation (A) / is the keys (B) / to a peaceful (C) / and happy life. (D) No Error (E)
Ans : (B)
13. The fruit vendor (A) / would rather (B) / let the fruit get spoiling than (C) / sell them for a lesser price. (D) No Error (E)
Ans : (C)
14. The police making (A) / everyone leave (B) / the building premises (C) / immediately. (D) No Error (E)
Ans : (A)
15. Mother and I (A) / generally go to the store (B) / and pick up food items (C) / for the charitable. (D) No Error (E)
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 16–20) Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blanks to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
16. You will have to undergo a ………………….of tests before the interview.
(A) large
(B) series
(C) design
(D) booklet
(E) delegation
Ans : (B)
17. If you………………….fast, we will reach on time.
(A) journey
(B) travel
(C) walk
(D) talk
(E) react
Ans : (C)
18. The boy was curious to know what was ………………….the parcel.
(A) into
(B) with
(C) in
(D) beyond
(E) within
Ans : (C)
19. For every school going child, studying is a………………….
(A) skill
(B) success
(C) achievement
(D) luxury
(E) priority
Ans : (E)
20. The Board members could not arrive at a ………………….regarding the employee.
(A) judgement
(B) progress
(C) policy
(D) consensus
(E) action
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 21–25) In each question below four words which are lettered (A), (B), (C) and (D) have been printed, of which, one word may be wrongly spelt. The letter of that word is the answer. If all the four words are correctly spelt, mark (E) i.e. "All Correct" as the answer.
21. (A) Dimention
(B) Enlighten
(C) Canvass
(D) Unfortunate
(E) All Correct
Ans : (A)
22. (A) Raging
(B) Extensive
(C) Priviledge
(D) Exorbitant
(E) All Correct
Ans : (C)
23. (A) Respectable
(B) Excessive
(C) Lament
(D) Manupilate
(E) All Correct
Ans : (D)
24. (A) Presentable
(B) Commodity
(C) Exept
(D) Rebate
(E) All Correct
Ans : (C)
25. (A) Continuos
(B) Mourn
(C) Leisure
(D) Rampant
(E) All Correct
Ans : (A)
Directions–(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following six sentences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(a) So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow hard upon the traveller.
(b) The Sun and the Wind were disputing who was stronger amongst them.
(c) But the harder he blew the more closely the traveller wrapped his coat around him.
(d) Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveller, who soon found it too hot to walk with his coat on.
(e) Suddenly they saw a traveller walking down the road, and the Sun said, "I see a way to settle our dispute"
(f) Whichever of us can cause the traveller below to take off his coat shall be regarded as the stronger one.
26. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) (f)
(B) (e)
(C) (d)
(D) (c)
(E) (b)
Ans : (C)
27. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) (d)
(B) (b)
(C) (e)
(D) (c)
(E) (a)
Ans : (E)
28. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (c)
(C) (a)
(D) (e)
(E) (f)
Ans : (B)
29. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (e)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (a)
Ans : (A)
30. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (a)
(C) (f)
(D) (e)
(E) (c)
Ans : (D)
Directions–(Q. 31–40) 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.
Once upon a time, there lived a pair of geese and a tortoise and the three were the best of friends. One day they were faced by a huge drought and the lake in which they lived was ...(31)... up. They ...(32)... to leave the lake and look for new lake, but the tortoise could not ...(33)... So, the geese thought of a ...(34)..., whereby, the tortoise would have to hold a piece of stick by its mouth which would be ...(35)... by the two geese. The only condition was that the tortoise should not. speak or it would ...(36) ...from the stick to his death.
The tortoise agreed to be ...(37) ….
But on seeing this strange ...(38)..., people on the way started laughing at the tortoise. Unable to control his ...(39)..., he spoke aloud "What are they ...(40)... about ?" and so he fell to his death.
31. (A) rising
(B) vaporising
(C) soaring
(D) soaking
(E) drying
Ans : (E)
32. (A) advised
(B) confided
(C) decided
(D) thought
(E) suggested
Ans : (C)
33. (A) understand
(B) swim
(C) fly
(D) talk
(E) think
Ans : (C)
34. (A) magic
(B) plan
(C) game
(D) plot
(E) trick
Ans : (E)
35. (A) agreed
(B) manufactured
(C) designed
(D) carried
(E) produced
Ans : (D)
36. (A) balance
(B) choke
(C) fall
(D) slipped
(E) hang
Ans : (C)
37. (A) disciplined
(B) rescued
(C) flew
(D) good
(E) silent
Ans : (B)
38. (A) bargain
(B) arrangement
(C) friendship
(D) matrix
(E) object
Ans : (B)
39. (A) excitement
(B) grip
(C) curiosity
(D) destiny
(E) devotion
Ans : (C)
40. (A) looking
(B) talking
(C) thinking
(D) pointing
(E) laughing
Ans : (E)
IBPS Probationary Officers Written Exam., 2011
Computer Knowledge
(Held on 18-9-2011)
1. Computer uses the……….number system to store data and perform calculations.
(A) binary
(B) octal
(C) decimal
(D) hexadecimal
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
2. A disk's content that is recorded at the time of manufacture and that cannot be changed or erased by the user is–
(A) Memory-only
(B) Write-only
(C) Once-only
(D) Run-only
(E) Read-only
Ans : (E)
3. Which of the following can be used to select the entire document ?
(A) CTRL+A
(B) ALT+F5
(C) SHIFT+A
(D) CTRL+K
(E) CTRL+H
Ans : (A)
4. ……….are 'attempts by individuals to obtain confidential information from you by falsifying their identity.
(A) Phishing
(B) Computer viruses
(C) Spyware scams
(D) Viruses
(E) None of the above
Ans : (A)
5. Part number, part description, and number of parts ordered are examples of–
(A) control
(B) output
(C) processing
(D) feedback
(E) input
Ans : (E)
6. A Web site's main page is called its–
(A) Home Page
(B) Browser Page
(C) Search Page
(D) Bookmark
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
7. The simultaneous processing of two or more programs by multiple processors is–
(A) multiprogramming
(B) multitasking
(C) time-sharing
(D) multiprocessing
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
8. Codes consisting of lines of varying widths or lengths that are computer-readable are known as–
(A) an ASCII code
(B) a magnetic tape
(C) an OCR scanner
(D) a bar code
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
9. To instruct Word to fit the width of a column to the contents of a table automatically, click the button and then point to AutoFit Contents.
(A) Fit to Form
(B) Format
(C) Autosize
(D) Contents
(E) AutoFit
Ans : (E)
10. Why is it unethical to share copyrighted files with your friends ?
(A) It is not unethical, because it is legal.
(B) It is unethical because the files are being given for free.
(C) Sharing copyrighted files without permission breaks copyright laws.
(D) It is not unethical because the files are being given for free.
(E) It is not unethical-anyone can access a computer
Ans : (C)
11. Reusable optical storage will typica1ly have the acronym–
(A) CO
(B) DVD
(C) ROM
(D) RW
(E) ROS
Ans : (D)
12. The most common type of storage devices are–
(A) persistent
(B) optical
(C) magnetic
(D) flash
(E) steel
Ans : (D)
13. A device that connects to a network without the use of cables is said to be–
(A) distributed
(B) free
(C) centralized
(D) open source
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
14. A person who used his or her expertise to gain access to other people's computers to get information illegally or do damage is a–
(A) hacker
(B) analyst
(C) instant messenger
(D) programmer
(E) spammer
Ans : (A)
15. To access properties of an object, the mouse technique to use is–
(A) dragging
(B) dropping
(C) right-clicking
(D) shift-clicking
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
16. To change selected text to all capital letters, click the change case button, then click–
(A) UPPERCASE
(B) UPPER ALL
(C) CAPS LOCK
(D) Lock Upper
(E) Large Size
Ans : (A)
17. The basic unit of a worksheet into which you enter data in Excel is called a–
(A) tab
(B) cell
(C) box
(D) range
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
18. You can keep your personal files / folders in–
(A) My folder
(B) My Documents
(C) My Files
(D) My Text
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
19. In Word you can force a page break–
(A) By positioning your cursor at the appropriate place and pressing the F1 key
(B) By positioning your cursor at the appropriate place and pressing Ctrl+Enter
(C) By using the Insert/Section Break
(D) By changing the font size of your document
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
20. A DVD is an example of a(n) –
(A) hard disk
(B) optical disc
(C) output device
(D) solid-state storage device
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
21. The default view in Excel is……….view.
(A) Work
(B) Auto
(C) Normal
(D) Roman
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
22. The process of transferring files from a computer on the Internet to your computer is called–
(A) downloading
(B) uploading
(C) FTP
(D) JPEC
(E) downsizing
Ans : (A)
23. ……….is the process of dividing the disk into tracks and sectors.
(A) Tracking
(B) Formatting
(C) Crashing
(D) Allotting
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
24. Help Menu is available at which button ?
(A) End
(B) Staft
(C) Turnoff
(D) Restart
(E) Reboot
Ans : (B)
25. The contents of……….are lost when the computer turns off.
(A) storage
(B) input
(C) output
(D) memory
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
26. When you save to this, your data will remain intact even when the computer is turned off–
(A) RAM
(B) Motherboard
(C) Secondary storage device
(D) Primary storage device
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
27. A central computer that holds collections of data and programs for many PCs, workstations, and other computers is a(n) –
(A) supercomputer
(B) minicomputer
(C) laptop
(D) server
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
28. The……….folder retains copies of messages that you have started but are not yet ready to send.
(A) Drafts
(B) Outbox
(C) Address Book
(D) Sent Items
(E) Inbox
Ans : (B)
29. Grouping and processing all of a firm's transactions at one time is called–
(A) a database management system
(B) batch processing
(C) a real-time system
(D) an on-line system
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
30. The……….enables you to simultaneously keep multiple Web pages open in one browser window.
(A) tab box
(B) pop-up helper
(C) tab row
(D) address bar
(E) Esc key
Ans : (C)
31. Which ports connect special types of music instruments to sound cards ?
(A) BUS
(B) CPU
(C) USB
(D) MIDI
(E) MINI
Ans : (C)
32. You can……….a search by providing more information the search engine can use to select a smaller, more useful set of results.
(A) refine
(B) expand
(C) load
(D) query
(E) slowdown
Ans : (A)
33. What is the permanent memory built into your computer called ?
(A) RAM
(B) Floppy
(C) CPU
(D) CO-ROM
(E) ROM
Ans : (E)
34. What displays the contents of the active cell in Excel ?
(A) Name box
(B) Row Headings
(C) Formula bar
(D) Task pane
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
35. The piece of hardware that converts your computer's digital signal to an analog signal that can travel over telephone lines is called a–
(A) red wire
(B) blue cord
(C) tower
(D) modem
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
36. Video processors consist of……….and………., which store and process images.
(A) CPU and VGA
(B) CPU and memory
(C) VGA and memory
(D) VGI and DVI
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
37. If you want to connect to your own computer through the Internet from another location, you can use–
(A) e-mail
(B) FTP
(C) instant message
(D) Telnet
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
38. To reload a Web page, press the……….button.
(A) Redo
(B) Reload
(C) Restore
(D) Ctrl
(E) Refresh
Ans : (E)
39. This first step in the transaction processing cycle captures business data through various modes such as optical scanning or at an electronic commerce website–
(A) Document and report generation
(B) Database maintenance
(C) Transaction processing startup
(D) Data Entry
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
40. A(n) ……….is a special visual and audio effect applied in Power-point to text or content.
(A) animation
(B) flash
(C) wipe
(D) dissolve
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
41. When the pointer is positioned on a……….it is shaped like a hand.
(A) grammar error
(B) Formatting error
(C) Screen Tip
(D) Spelling error
(E) hyperlink
Ans : (E)
42. Personal computers can be connected together to form a–
(A) server
(B) supercomputer
(C) network
(D) enterprise
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
43. A……….is the term used when a search engine returns a Web page that matches the search criteria.
(A) blog
(B) hit
(C) link
(D) view
(E) success
Ans : (E)
44. ……….are words that a programming language has set aside for its own use.
(A) Control words
(B) Control structures
(C) Reserved words
(D) Reserved keys
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
45. Mobile Commerce is best described as–
(A) The use of Kiosks in marketing
(B) Transporting products
(C) Buying and selling goods/services through wireless handheld devices
(D) Using notebook PC's in marketing
(E) None of the above
Ans : (C)
46. Which of, the following is a storage device that uses rigid, permanently installed magnetic disks to store data/information–
(A) floppy diskette
(B) hard disk
(C) permanent disk
(D) optical disk
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
47. The computer abbreviation KB usually means–
(A) Key Block
(B) Kernel Boot
(C) Key Byte
(D) Kit Bit
(E) Kilo Byte
Ans : (E)
48. What is the process of copying software programs from secondary storage media to the hard disk called?
(A) Configuration
(B) Download
(C) Storage
(D) Upload
(E) Installation
Ans : (D)
49. In Excel……….allows users to bring together copies of work-books that other users have worked on independently.
(A) Copying
(B) Merging
(C) Pasting
(D) Compiling
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
50. Which of the following are advantages of CD-ROM as a storage media?
(A) CD-ROM is an inexpensive way to store large, amount of data and information
(B) CD-ROM disks retrieve data and information more quickly than magnetic disks do
(C) CD-ROMs make less errors than magnetic media
(D) An of the above
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
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