State Bank of India Clerk Exam., 2008 General English : Solved Paper
(Held on 13-7-2008) (IInd Shift)
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.
There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, “One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree.” He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his daughter and taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.
The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear. “You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me ?” The girl replied, “I shall not be apart from you.” But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, “Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me.” The master's tears flowed freely, “She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together.” The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. “Your daughter is very fortunate-the king has sent for her,” the messenger said. At the palace the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, ”I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home.” There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.
That very night the princess began her journey to Kambhoj. The princess's royal chariot led the procession and the girl's palanquin followed close behind carrying trunks of silks, jewellry and precious stones. It was covered with a velvet sheet and had soldiers on both sides. As the procession passed, the master and his disciple Kumarsen stood still by the wayside. A collective sigh escaped the crowd gathered there wishing that the princess wouldn't feel homesick in her faraway home.
1. Which of the following can be said about the girl ?
(1) She was brought up by her father as her mother had died when she was a baby.
(2) She was a talented singer who had learnt to sing at an early age.
(3) She was only allowed to sing with the master's permission.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Both (1) and (2)
(C) Only (2)
(D) All (1), (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
2. What was the girl's reaction to leaving home ?
(A) She was honoured to be serving the princess
(B) Sadness at leaving the master.
(C) She entrusted the task of looking after the music master to Kumarasen
(D) She was thrilled to be living in luxury
(E) None of these
3. What task was entrusted to the girl by the Queen ?
(A) Seeing that her daughter reached Kambhoj safely
(B) Entertaining the princess on her journey to Kambhoj
(C) Protecting the princess and reporting to the queen if she was unhappy
(D) Ensuring the princess' happiness
(E) None of these
4. What was the master's reaction to the girl's decision to marry his disciple ?
(A) He was upset and cried
(B) He promised to give his permission if the couple sang well together
(C) He was sad because she would be going to Kambhoj which was far away
(D) He was pleased with her choice of husband
(E) None of these
5. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage ?
(1) The girl was leaving the master and going to Kambhoj once she was married.
(2) The king sent for the girl because she was a good singer.
(3) The master did not let the girl study any other subject except music.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Both (1) and (2)
(C) All (1), (2) and (3)
(D) Both (1) and (3)
(E) None of these
6. Why was the princess going on a journey ?
(1) She was going to her prospective husband's home to get engaged.
(2) Her parents wanted her to visit the kingdom of which she would be the future queen.
(3) To take expensive gifts for the rulers of the Kambhoj who were well known to her parents.
(A) None
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (1)
(D) Both (1) and (2)
(E) Both (2) and (3)
7. Why was the master afraid ?
(A) He felt the princess would treat the young girl unkindly
(B) He would be all alone after the girl's marriage
(C) The girl may not be able to adapt to her new home
(D) He was slowly going blind.
(E) None of these
Directions—(Q. 8–9) Choose the word which is MOST NEARLY the SAME in MEANING as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
68. fortunate
(A) rich
(B) liked
(C) happy
(D) successful
(E) lucky
9. raised
(A) nurtured
(B) lifted
(C) grew
(D) built
(E) high
10. Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word Collective as used in the passage—
(A) alone
(B) separately
(C) united
(D) partial
(E) single
Directions—(Q. 11–15) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
11. In present the (A)/ prices of food grains (B)/ are high all (C)/ over the world. (D) No error (E)
12. Majority of the banks (A)/ today uses technology (B)/ to reach out to those (C)/living in rural areas. (D) No error (E)
13. I will give (A)/ you the advance (B)/ if you repay it as (C)/ soon as possibly. (D) No error (E)
14. Though he is very (A)/ wealthy and powerful (B)/ he has any (C)/ concern for the poor. (D) No error (E)
15. Mala has the (A)/ ability t o handle (B)/ many tasks at (C)/ the same time. (D) No error (E)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrases given in bold in the following sentences 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.
16. Finding himself in financial difficulty, he came forward me for help and advice—
(A) came across
(B) is come upto
(C) came to
(D) comes with
(E) No correction required
17. Deepak having been over eighteen years of age, is entitled to vote—
(A) has been of
(B) being over
(C) who is having over
(D) who is been
(E) No correction required
18. The magazine that we subscribe to is published monthly—
(A) which is subscribed
(B) we are subscribed
(C) whom we subscribe
(D) whichever we subscribe
(E) No correction required
19. Among of his many good qualities, that I remember is his honesty—
(A) All of his
(B) Some of the
(C) Only of his
(D) One of his
(E) No correction required
20. Many of our clients have deposit of this foreign bank—
(A) have deposits in
(B) had deposited
(C) with deposits
(D) have deposited
(E) No correction required
Directions—(Q. 21–25) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(1) The sailor was told it was placed there as warning signal to sailors to warn them of the danger.
(2) He returned to the spot a few years later as captain of his own ship.
(3) The ship was at sea for many days and finally anchored near the coastline.
(4) The night was stormy and without a warning signal his ship was wrecked on that very rock.
(5) One of the sailors on board saw a bell tied to a dangerous submerged rock.
(6) As a joke the sailor decided to steal the bell and hide it despite being informed of this.
21. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
22. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
23. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
24. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
25. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
Directions—(Q. 26–30) In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word, which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e. ‘All Correct’ as your answer.
26. We have incurred (A) an expense (B) of over fifty thousands (C) this year alone. (D) All correct (E)
27. World Earth Day is celeberated (A) as a means (B) to make people aware (C) about the environment. (D) All correct (E)
28. The key issue (A) discused (B) at the meeting was how to resolve (C) the food crisis. (D) All correct (E)
29. He deserves (A) some recognition (B) for working diligently (C) for the passed (D) five years. All correct (E)
30. There are many employment (A) opportunities (B) for fresh graduates (C) in the market (D) today. All correct (E)
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.
I had …(31)… to become a multipurpose manager. I took three steps to accomplish this. First, I took very …(32)… part in professional associations. I …(33)… the National President of the Indian Society for Training and Development–one of the …(34)… organizations for HR professionals. This helped me to grow professionally. My communication skills …(35)…. It also taught me …(36)… to conduct meetings in an effective manner. My job …(37)… me to different parts of the country and I …(38)… believe that …(39)… provided me with an education. I also wrote a lot. Newspaper editors often approached me with …(40)… to write articles for their publications.
31. (A) achieved
(B) aim
(C) try
(D) dreamed
(E) wanted
32. (A) selected
(B) active
(C) interesting
(D) often
(E) joint
33. (A) elected
(B) voted
(C) became
(D) applied
(E) decided
34. (A) respected
(B) status
(C) impressed
(D) aged
(E) common
35. (A) lacked
(B) grown
(C) learnt
(D) improved
(E) earned
36. (A) that
(B) why
(C) how
(D) never
(E) anyhow
37. (A) saw
(B) showed
(C) posted
(D) discovered
(E) took
38. (A) quiet
(B) firmly
(C) strong
(D) first
(E) not
39. (A) travelling
(B) journey
(C) visit
(D) migrating
(E) shift
40. (A) wish
(B) offer
(C) appointments
(D) requests
(E) commands
Answers with Explanations
1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (E) 5. (B)
6. (A) 7. (B) 8. (E) 9. (B) 10. (A)
11. (A) Write ‘At’ in place of ‘In’.
12. (B) Write ‘use’.
13. (D) Write ‘possible’.
14. (C) Write ‘no’ in place of ‘any’.
15. (E) 16. (C) 17. (E) 18. (E) 19. (D)
20. (A) 21. (C) 22. (E) 23. (A) 24. (D)
25. (B)
26. (C) Write change ‘thousands’ to ‘thousand’.
27. (A) Write ‘celebrated’.
28. (B) Write ‘discussed’.
29. (D) Write ‘past’.
30. (E) 31. (E) 32. (B) 33. (C) 34. (A)
35. (D) 36. (C) 37. (E) 38. (B) 39. (A)
40. (D)
There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, “One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree.” He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his daughter and taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.
The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear. “You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me ?” The girl replied, “I shall not be apart from you.” But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, “Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me.” The master's tears flowed freely, “She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together.” The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. “Your daughter is very fortunate-the king has sent for her,” the messenger said. At the palace the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, ”I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home.” There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.
That very night the princess began her journey to Kambhoj. The princess's royal chariot led the procession and the girl's palanquin followed close behind carrying trunks of silks, jewellry and precious stones. It was covered with a velvet sheet and had soldiers on both sides. As the procession passed, the master and his disciple Kumarsen stood still by the wayside. A collective sigh escaped the crowd gathered there wishing that the princess wouldn't feel homesick in her faraway home.
1. Which of the following can be said about the girl ?
(1) She was brought up by her father as her mother had died when she was a baby.
(2) She was a talented singer who had learnt to sing at an early age.
(3) She was only allowed to sing with the master's permission.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Both (1) and (2)
(C) Only (2)
(D) All (1), (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
2. What was the girl's reaction to leaving home ?
(A) She was honoured to be serving the princess
(B) Sadness at leaving the master.
(C) She entrusted the task of looking after the music master to Kumarasen
(D) She was thrilled to be living in luxury
(E) None of these
3. What task was entrusted to the girl by the Queen ?
(A) Seeing that her daughter reached Kambhoj safely
(B) Entertaining the princess on her journey to Kambhoj
(C) Protecting the princess and reporting to the queen if she was unhappy
(D) Ensuring the princess' happiness
(E) None of these
4. What was the master's reaction to the girl's decision to marry his disciple ?
(A) He was upset and cried
(B) He promised to give his permission if the couple sang well together
(C) He was sad because she would be going to Kambhoj which was far away
(D) He was pleased with her choice of husband
(E) None of these
5. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage ?
(1) The girl was leaving the master and going to Kambhoj once she was married.
(2) The king sent for the girl because she was a good singer.
(3) The master did not let the girl study any other subject except music.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Both (1) and (2)
(C) All (1), (2) and (3)
(D) Both (1) and (3)
(E) None of these
6. Why was the princess going on a journey ?
(1) She was going to her prospective husband's home to get engaged.
(2) Her parents wanted her to visit the kingdom of which she would be the future queen.
(3) To take expensive gifts for the rulers of the Kambhoj who were well known to her parents.
(A) None
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (1)
(D) Both (1) and (2)
(E) Both (2) and (3)
7. Why was the master afraid ?
(A) He felt the princess would treat the young girl unkindly
(B) He would be all alone after the girl's marriage
(C) The girl may not be able to adapt to her new home
(D) He was slowly going blind.
(E) None of these
Directions—(Q. 8–9) Choose the word which is MOST NEARLY the SAME in MEANING as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
68. fortunate
(A) rich
(B) liked
(C) happy
(D) successful
(E) lucky
9. raised
(A) nurtured
(B) lifted
(C) grew
(D) built
(E) high
10. Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word Collective as used in the passage—
(A) alone
(B) separately
(C) united
(D) partial
(E) single
Directions—(Q. 11–15) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
11. In present the (A)/ prices of food grains (B)/ are high all (C)/ over the world. (D) No error (E)
12. Majority of the banks (A)/ today uses technology (B)/ to reach out to those (C)/living in rural areas. (D) No error (E)
13. I will give (A)/ you the advance (B)/ if you repay it as (C)/ soon as possibly. (D) No error (E)
14. Though he is very (A)/ wealthy and powerful (B)/ he has any (C)/ concern for the poor. (D) No error (E)
15. Mala has the (A)/ ability t o handle (B)/ many tasks at (C)/ the same time. (D) No error (E)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrases given in bold in the following sentences 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.
16. Finding himself in financial difficulty, he came forward me for help and advice—
(A) came across
(B) is come upto
(C) came to
(D) comes with
(E) No correction required
17. Deepak having been over eighteen years of age, is entitled to vote—
(A) has been of
(B) being over
(C) who is having over
(D) who is been
(E) No correction required
18. The magazine that we subscribe to is published monthly—
(A) which is subscribed
(B) we are subscribed
(C) whom we subscribe
(D) whichever we subscribe
(E) No correction required
19. Among of his many good qualities, that I remember is his honesty—
(A) All of his
(B) Some of the
(C) Only of his
(D) One of his
(E) No correction required
20. Many of our clients have deposit of this foreign bank—
(A) have deposits in
(B) had deposited
(C) with deposits
(D) have deposited
(E) No correction required
Directions—(Q. 21–25) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(1) The sailor was told it was placed there as warning signal to sailors to warn them of the danger.
(2) He returned to the spot a few years later as captain of his own ship.
(3) The ship was at sea for many days and finally anchored near the coastline.
(4) The night was stormy and without a warning signal his ship was wrecked on that very rock.
(5) One of the sailors on board saw a bell tied to a dangerous submerged rock.
(6) As a joke the sailor decided to steal the bell and hide it despite being informed of this.
21. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
22. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
23. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
24. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
25. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
Directions—(Q. 26–30) In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word, which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e. ‘All Correct’ as your answer.
26. We have incurred (A) an expense (B) of over fifty thousands (C) this year alone. (D) All correct (E)
27. World Earth Day is celeberated (A) as a means (B) to make people aware (C) about the environment. (D) All correct (E)
28. The key issue (A) discused (B) at the meeting was how to resolve (C) the food crisis. (D) All correct (E)
29. He deserves (A) some recognition (B) for working diligently (C) for the passed (D) five years. All correct (E)
30. There are many employment (A) opportunities (B) for fresh graduates (C) in the market (D) today. All correct (E)
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.
I had …(31)… to become a multipurpose manager. I took three steps to accomplish this. First, I took very …(32)… part in professional associations. I …(33)… the National President of the Indian Society for Training and Development–one of the …(34)… organizations for HR professionals. This helped me to grow professionally. My communication skills …(35)…. It also taught me …(36)… to conduct meetings in an effective manner. My job …(37)… me to different parts of the country and I …(38)… believe that …(39)… provided me with an education. I also wrote a lot. Newspaper editors often approached me with …(40)… to write articles for their publications.
31. (A) achieved
(B) aim
(C) try
(D) dreamed
(E) wanted
32. (A) selected
(B) active
(C) interesting
(D) often
(E) joint
33. (A) elected
(B) voted
(C) became
(D) applied
(E) decided
34. (A) respected
(B) status
(C) impressed
(D) aged
(E) common
35. (A) lacked
(B) grown
(C) learnt
(D) improved
(E) earned
36. (A) that
(B) why
(C) how
(D) never
(E) anyhow
37. (A) saw
(B) showed
(C) posted
(D) discovered
(E) took
38. (A) quiet
(B) firmly
(C) strong
(D) first
(E) not
39. (A) travelling
(B) journey
(C) visit
(D) migrating
(E) shift
40. (A) wish
(B) offer
(C) appointments
(D) requests
(E) commands
Answers with Explanations
1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (E) 5. (B)
6. (A) 7. (B) 8. (E) 9. (B) 10. (A)
11. (A) Write ‘At’ in place of ‘In’.
12. (B) Write ‘use’.
13. (D) Write ‘possible’.
14. (C) Write ‘no’ in place of ‘any’.
15. (E) 16. (C) 17. (E) 18. (E) 19. (D)
20. (A) 21. (C) 22. (E) 23. (A) 24. (D)
25. (B)
26. (C) Write change ‘thousands’ to ‘thousand’.
27. (A) Write ‘celebrated’.
28. (B) Write ‘discussed’.
29. (D) Write ‘past’.
30. (E) 31. (E) 32. (B) 33. (C) 34. (A)
35. (D) 36. (C) 37. (E) 38. (B) 39. (A)
40. (D)
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