State Bank of India Clerk Exam., 2008 General English : Solved Paper
(Held on 13-7-2008) (Ist 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.
The window offered a view of the house opposite. The two families did not speak to each other because of a property dispute. One day, Ruchira's textbooks lay untouched as the young girl's gaze was on the happenings in the house opposite. There were two new faces in the neighbouring household–those of an elderly widow and a girl, aged sixteen. Sometimes the elderly lady would sit by the window, doing young girl's hair. On other days she was absent.
The new young neigbhour's daily routine could be seen through the work window-she cleaned the paddy; split nuts, put the cushions in the sun to air them. In the afternoons while the men were all out some of the women slept and others played cards. The girl sat on the terrace and read. Sometimes she wrote. One day there was a hindrance. She was writing when the elderly woman snatched the unfinished letter from her hands. Thereafter the girl was not to be seen on the terrace. Sometimes during the day sounds came from the house indicating that a massive argument was going on inside.
A few days passed. One evening Ruchira noticed the girl standing on the terrace in tears. When evening prayer was in progress. As she did daily, the girl bowed several times in prayer. Then she went downstairs. That night Ruchira wrote a letter. She went out and posted it that very instant. But as she lay in bed that night, she prayed fervently that her offer of friendship wouldn't reach its destination. Ruchira then left for Madhupur and returned when it was time for college to start. She found the house opposite in darkness, locked. They had left.
When she stepped into her room she found the desk piled with letters– one had a local on it with her name and address in unfamiliar handwriting. She quickly read it. They continued to write to each other for the next twenty years.
1. Why did Ruchira write a letter to her new neighbour ?
(A) She wanted to offer her, her help
(B) She wanted to be friends with her
(C) To apologize for her family's behaviour towards her family
(D) To encourage her to continue learning to read and write
(E) None of these
2. Which of the following can be said about Ruchira ?
(1) She used to spy on her neighbours because she didn't trust them.
(2) She was at home because she was studying.
(3) She did not speak to her neighbours because they did not own property.
(A) None
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) Both (1) and (3)
3. How did the new young neighbour spend her days ?
(A) She was busy writing letters to Ruchira
(B) She used to daydream about her past experiences
(C) She would attend to the needs of the widow
(D) She spent her time learning to read and write
(E) None of these
4. Why was the young neighbour prevented from sitting on the terrace ?
(A) She used to while away her time instead of working
(B) The old woman could no longer keep an eye on her
(C) She had not finished writing the letter she was asked to
(D) She had been writing a letter which she wasn't supposed to
(E) As a punishment for being disrespectful and arguing with her elders
5. What was the major argument in the house about ?
(A) There were too many people living there, which resulted in arguments
(B) The young girl was insisting on attending college
(C) The young girl had been wasting her time instead of working
(D) The old woman did not guard the young girl closely
(E) None of these
6. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(A) The young girl was very devout and prayed everyday
(B) Only two letters were exchanged between the two girls
(C) The new young neighbour was a servant
(D) The afternoon was a time to relax for everyone
(E) The two families had fought because of the letters the two girls wrote to each other
7. Why did the young girl wish that the letter would not reach its destination ?
(1) She was going away and would not be able to see if her neighbour was glad to receive it
(2) She was afraid that it would lead to a quarrel between the two families
(3) She was afraid that her neighbour would be angry when she received her letter
(A) None
(B) Only (1)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (2) and (3)
(E) Only (2)
Directions—(Q. 8–9) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in MEANING as the word printed in bold as used in passage.
8. hindrance
(A) handicapped
(B) delay
(C) interruption
(D) difficult
(E) bar
9. offered
(A) forward
(B) willing
(C) volunteered
(D) provided
(E) put
10. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word piled as used in the passage—
(A) low
(B) empty
(C) blank
(D) nothing
(E) fell
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. The price of (A) / all petroleum products (B) / is controlled (C) / by the Government. (D) No error (E)
12. There is a (A) / tax benefit for (B) / the income of (C) / senior citizens. (D) No error (E)
13. In my opinion (A) / Vikas has (B) / failed to follow (C) / none of the instructions. (D) No error (E)
14. At least of (A) / three per cent of (B) / those who applied (C) / will be selected. (D) No error (E)
15. He was a (A) / well known economist (B) / who usual wrote (C) / for international journals. (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. Occupying by many meetings, he did not reach home till late.
(A) By occupying
(B) While occupied
(C) Occupation of
(D) Occupied with
(E) No correction required
17. We were nervous while the auditor was going by the accounts—
(A) had gone through
(B) was going over
(C) gone through
(D) went by
(E) No correction required
18. Parents have to take some of this precaution while allowing their children to use the internet ?
(A) each of these precaution
(B) every precautions
(C) all these precautions
(D) any of this precaution
(E) No correction required
19. An employee will get the incentive, only if he deserves it—
(A) he himself deserves
(B) they deserving it
(C) he deserved for it
(D) he was deserving
(E) No correction required
20. Sunita has been posted in Chennai, where is her birthplace—
(A) which is her
(B) that is her
(C) that she has
(D) there is her
(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 old lady however refused to pay him and was taken to court.
(2) The doctor, confident of his abilities, agreed.
(3) Finally he cured her after all the valuable furniture had been removed from her house.
(4) He then saw her furniture, realized its value and decided to delay curing her till he could steal it.
(5) A blind old lady promised to pay the doctor a large sum of money if she was cured and nothing if she wasn't.
(6) She was asked why she refused to pay by the judge. “I am not cured. I cannot see all my furniture !” was the reply.
21. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
22. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
23. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
24. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
25. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
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. There were many objectives (A) from employees to the proposal (B) to amend (C) the regulations. (D) All correct (E)
27. Since he has provided (A) over halve (B) the finance for the infrastructure (C) he should be in charge. (D) All correct (E)
28. The scheme permits (A) investors (B) to buy the shares from foreign (C) companies at a ficsed (D) price. All correct (E)
29. A leader who relies (A) on his team members (B) for advice (C) is respected. (D) All correct (E)
30. He is in complete (A) agreement (B) with your analyze (C) of the situation. (D) 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.
Most of the employees had no …(31)… in the oil industry. Employees were paid a …(32)… salary but they were loyal and hardworking. They often worked without breaks-they once worked …(33)… for 72 hours to discharge oil from a Russian tanker. …(34)… made the difference was the support they …(35)… from their bosses. On …(36)… occasions the barrier between boss and subordinate vanished. We all worked like a team and …(37)… unexpected results. The air force …(38)… presented a letter of …(39)… to the company for the work done by us. Thus these determined …(40)… poorly paid employees have built the company into what it is today.
31. (A) practices
(B) contact
(C) discipline
(D) experience
(E) knowledge
32. (A) minor
(B) low
(C) less
(D) cheaper
(E) little
33. (A) continuously
(B) fully
(C) running
(D) near
(E) slowly
34. (A) which
(B) they
(C) what
(D) there
(E) that
35. (A) showed
(B) taken
(C) wanted
(D) needed
(E) received
36. (A) any
(B) many
(C) couple
(D) regularly
(E) this
37. (A) achieve
(B) seen
(C) given
(D) contribute
(E) produced
38. (A) was
(B) yet
(C) even
(D) instead
(E) still
39. (A) compliment
(B) thank
(C) regret
(D) appreciation
(E) reward
40. (A) though
(B) not
(C) enough
(D) beside
(E) despite
Answers with Explanations
01. (B) 2. (A) 3. (E) 4. (D) 5. (E)
06. (A) 7. (D) 8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (B)
11. (E)
12. (B) Write ‘on’ in place of ‘for’.
13. (D) Write ‘some’, in place of ‘none’.
14. (A) Delete ‘of’.
15. (C) Write ‘usually’.
16. (D) 17. (B) 18. (C) 19. (E) 20. (A)
21. (E) 22. (C) 23. (A) 24. (B) 25. (D)
26. (A) Write ‘objections’.
27. (B) Write ‘half’.
28. (D) Write ‘fixed’.
29. (E)
30. (C) Write ‘analysis’.
31. (D) 32. (B) 33. (A) 34. (C) 35. (E)
36. (B) 37. (E) 38. (C) 39. (D) 40. (A)
The window offered a view of the house opposite. The two families did not speak to each other because of a property dispute. One day, Ruchira's textbooks lay untouched as the young girl's gaze was on the happenings in the house opposite. There were two new faces in the neighbouring household–those of an elderly widow and a girl, aged sixteen. Sometimes the elderly lady would sit by the window, doing young girl's hair. On other days she was absent.
The new young neigbhour's daily routine could be seen through the work window-she cleaned the paddy; split nuts, put the cushions in the sun to air them. In the afternoons while the men were all out some of the women slept and others played cards. The girl sat on the terrace and read. Sometimes she wrote. One day there was a hindrance. She was writing when the elderly woman snatched the unfinished letter from her hands. Thereafter the girl was not to be seen on the terrace. Sometimes during the day sounds came from the house indicating that a massive argument was going on inside.
A few days passed. One evening Ruchira noticed the girl standing on the terrace in tears. When evening prayer was in progress. As she did daily, the girl bowed several times in prayer. Then she went downstairs. That night Ruchira wrote a letter. She went out and posted it that very instant. But as she lay in bed that night, she prayed fervently that her offer of friendship wouldn't reach its destination. Ruchira then left for Madhupur and returned when it was time for college to start. She found the house opposite in darkness, locked. They had left.
When she stepped into her room she found the desk piled with letters– one had a local on it with her name and address in unfamiliar handwriting. She quickly read it. They continued to write to each other for the next twenty years.
1. Why did Ruchira write a letter to her new neighbour ?
(A) She wanted to offer her, her help
(B) She wanted to be friends with her
(C) To apologize for her family's behaviour towards her family
(D) To encourage her to continue learning to read and write
(E) None of these
2. Which of the following can be said about Ruchira ?
(1) She used to spy on her neighbours because she didn't trust them.
(2) She was at home because she was studying.
(3) She did not speak to her neighbours because they did not own property.
(A) None
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) Both (1) and (3)
3. How did the new young neighbour spend her days ?
(A) She was busy writing letters to Ruchira
(B) She used to daydream about her past experiences
(C) She would attend to the needs of the widow
(D) She spent her time learning to read and write
(E) None of these
4. Why was the young neighbour prevented from sitting on the terrace ?
(A) She used to while away her time instead of working
(B) The old woman could no longer keep an eye on her
(C) She had not finished writing the letter she was asked to
(D) She had been writing a letter which she wasn't supposed to
(E) As a punishment for being disrespectful and arguing with her elders
5. What was the major argument in the house about ?
(A) There were too many people living there, which resulted in arguments
(B) The young girl was insisting on attending college
(C) The young girl had been wasting her time instead of working
(D) The old woman did not guard the young girl closely
(E) None of these
6. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(A) The young girl was very devout and prayed everyday
(B) Only two letters were exchanged between the two girls
(C) The new young neighbour was a servant
(D) The afternoon was a time to relax for everyone
(E) The two families had fought because of the letters the two girls wrote to each other
7. Why did the young girl wish that the letter would not reach its destination ?
(1) She was going away and would not be able to see if her neighbour was glad to receive it
(2) She was afraid that it would lead to a quarrel between the two families
(3) She was afraid that her neighbour would be angry when she received her letter
(A) None
(B) Only (1)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (2) and (3)
(E) Only (2)
Directions—(Q. 8–9) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in MEANING as the word printed in bold as used in passage.
8. hindrance
(A) handicapped
(B) delay
(C) interruption
(D) difficult
(E) bar
9. offered
(A) forward
(B) willing
(C) volunteered
(D) provided
(E) put
10. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word piled as used in the passage—
(A) low
(B) empty
(C) blank
(D) nothing
(E) fell
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. The price of (A) / all petroleum products (B) / is controlled (C) / by the Government. (D) No error (E)
12. There is a (A) / tax benefit for (B) / the income of (C) / senior citizens. (D) No error (E)
13. In my opinion (A) / Vikas has (B) / failed to follow (C) / none of the instructions. (D) No error (E)
14. At least of (A) / three per cent of (B) / those who applied (C) / will be selected. (D) No error (E)
15. He was a (A) / well known economist (B) / who usual wrote (C) / for international journals. (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. Occupying by many meetings, he did not reach home till late.
(A) By occupying
(B) While occupied
(C) Occupation of
(D) Occupied with
(E) No correction required
17. We were nervous while the auditor was going by the accounts—
(A) had gone through
(B) was going over
(C) gone through
(D) went by
(E) No correction required
18. Parents have to take some of this precaution while allowing their children to use the internet ?
(A) each of these precaution
(B) every precautions
(C) all these precautions
(D) any of this precaution
(E) No correction required
19. An employee will get the incentive, only if he deserves it—
(A) he himself deserves
(B) they deserving it
(C) he deserved for it
(D) he was deserving
(E) No correction required
20. Sunita has been posted in Chennai, where is her birthplace—
(A) which is her
(B) that is her
(C) that she has
(D) there is her
(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 old lady however refused to pay him and was taken to court.
(2) The doctor, confident of his abilities, agreed.
(3) Finally he cured her after all the valuable furniture had been removed from her house.
(4) He then saw her furniture, realized its value and decided to delay curing her till he could steal it.
(5) A blind old lady promised to pay the doctor a large sum of money if she was cured and nothing if she wasn't.
(6) She was asked why she refused to pay by the judge. “I am not cured. I cannot see all my furniture !” was the reply.
21. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
22. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
23. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
24. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)
25. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)
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. There were many objectives (A) from employees to the proposal (B) to amend (C) the regulations. (D) All correct (E)
27. Since he has provided (A) over halve (B) the finance for the infrastructure (C) he should be in charge. (D) All correct (E)
28. The scheme permits (A) investors (B) to buy the shares from foreign (C) companies at a ficsed (D) price. All correct (E)
29. A leader who relies (A) on his team members (B) for advice (C) is respected. (D) All correct (E)
30. He is in complete (A) agreement (B) with your analyze (C) of the situation. (D) 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.
Most of the employees had no …(31)… in the oil industry. Employees were paid a …(32)… salary but they were loyal and hardworking. They often worked without breaks-they once worked …(33)… for 72 hours to discharge oil from a Russian tanker. …(34)… made the difference was the support they …(35)… from their bosses. On …(36)… occasions the barrier between boss and subordinate vanished. We all worked like a team and …(37)… unexpected results. The air force …(38)… presented a letter of …(39)… to the company for the work done by us. Thus these determined …(40)… poorly paid employees have built the company into what it is today.
31. (A) practices
(B) contact
(C) discipline
(D) experience
(E) knowledge
32. (A) minor
(B) low
(C) less
(D) cheaper
(E) little
33. (A) continuously
(B) fully
(C) running
(D) near
(E) slowly
34. (A) which
(B) they
(C) what
(D) there
(E) that
35. (A) showed
(B) taken
(C) wanted
(D) needed
(E) received
36. (A) any
(B) many
(C) couple
(D) regularly
(E) this
37. (A) achieve
(B) seen
(C) given
(D) contribute
(E) produced
38. (A) was
(B) yet
(C) even
(D) instead
(E) still
39. (A) compliment
(B) thank
(C) regret
(D) appreciation
(E) reward
40. (A) though
(B) not
(C) enough
(D) beside
(E) despite
Answers with Explanations
01. (B) 2. (A) 3. (E) 4. (D) 5. (E)
06. (A) 7. (D) 8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (B)
11. (E)
12. (B) Write ‘on’ in place of ‘for’.
13. (D) Write ‘some’, in place of ‘none’.
14. (A) Delete ‘of’.
15. (C) Write ‘usually’.
16. (D) 17. (B) 18. (C) 19. (E) 20. (A)
21. (E) 22. (C) 23. (A) 24. (B) 25. (D)
26. (A) Write ‘objections’.
27. (B) Write ‘half’.
28. (D) Write ‘fixed’.
29. (E)
30. (C) Write ‘analysis’.
31. (D) 32. (B) 33. (A) 34. (C) 35. (E)
36. (B) 37. (E) 38. (C) 39. (D) 40. (A)
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