State Bank of IndiaClerical Cadre (Clerk) Recruitment Exam., 2009
[Held on 15-11-2009 (I Shift)]
General English : Solved Paper
[Held on 15-11-2009 (I Shift)]
General English : Solved Paper
Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
King Hutamasan felt he had everything in the world not only due to his riches and his noble kinghts, but because of his beautiful queen, Rani Matsya. The rays of the sun were put to shame with the iridescent light that Matsya illuminated, with her beauty and brains. At the right hand of the king she was known to sit and aid him in all his judicial probes. You could not escape her deep-set eyes when you committed a crime as she always knew the victim and the culprit. Her generosity preceded her reputation in the kingdom and her hands were alway full to give. People in the kingdom revered her because if she passed by, she always gave to the compassionate and poor.
Far away from the kingly palace lived a man named Raman with only ends to his poverty and no means to rectify it. Raman was wrecked with proverty as he had lost all his land to the landlord. His age enabled him little towards manual labour and so begging was the only alternative to salvage his wife and children. Every morning he went door to door for some work, food or money. The kindness of people always got him enough to take home. But Raman was a little self-centered. His world began with him first, followed by his family and the rest. So he would eat and drink to his delight and return home with whatever he found excess. This routine followed and he never let anyone discover his interests as he always put on a long face when he reached home.
One day as he was relishing the bowl of rice he had just received from a humble home, he heard that Rani Matsya was to pass from the very place he was standing. Her generosity had reached his ears and he knew if he pulled a long face and showed how poor he was, she would hand him a bag full of gold coins– enough for the rest of his life, enough to buy food and supplies for his family. He thought he could keep some coins for himself and only reveal a few to his wife, so he can fulfill his own wishes.
He ran to the chariot of the Rani and begged her soldiers to allow him to speak to the queen. Listening to the arguments outside Rani Matsya opened the curtains of her chariot and asked Raman what he wanted. Raman went on his knees and praised the queen. I have heard you are most generous and most chaste, show this beggar some charity. Rani narrowed her brows and asked Raman what he could give her in return. Surprised by such a question, Raman looked at his bowl full of rice. With spite in him he just picked up a few grains of rice and gave it to the queen. Rani Matsya counted the 5 grains and looked at his bowl full of rice and said, you shall be given what is due to you. Saying this, the chariot galloped away.
Raman abused her under his breath. This he never thought would happen. How could she ask him for something in return when she hadn’t given him anything ? Irked with anger he stormed home and gave his wife the bowl of rice. Just then he saw a sack at the entrance. His wife said some men had come and kept it there. He opened it to find it full of rice. He put his hand inside and caught hold of a hard metal only to discover it was a gold coin. Elated he upturned the sack to find 5 gold coins in exact for the five rice grains. If only I had given my entire bowl, thought Raman, I would have had a sack full of gold.
1. According to the passage, which of the following is definitely true about Rani Matsya ?
(1) She was beautiful
(2) She was intelligent
(3) She was kind
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Only (1) and (2)
(E) All the three (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (E)
2. What does the phrase ‘pulled a long face’ as used in the passage mean ?
(A) Scratched his face
(B) Looked very sorrowful
(C) Disguised himself
(D) Put on makeup
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
3. What can possibly be the moral of the story ?
(A) Do onto others as you would want others to do to you
(B) Patience is a virtue
(C) Winning is not everything, it is the journey that counts
(D) Change is the only constant thing in life
(E) Teamwork is more we and less me
Ans : (A)
4. Why was begging the only option for Raman to get food ?
(A) As Raman belonged to a family of beggars
(B) As begging was the easiest way for him to obtain food
(C) As Raman’s family had forced him to beg
(D) As he had lost all his property and was too old to do manual work
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
5. Which of the following words can be used to describe Raman ?
1. Deceitful
2. Selfish
3. Timid
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 1 and 2
(D) Only 2 and 3
(E) All the three 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (C)
6. What did Raman find after he returned home from his meeting with Rani Matsya ?
(A) The Rani’s soldiers
(B) An empty house
(C) The five grains of rice that he had given to Rani Matsya
(D) A sack full of rice and five gold coins
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
7. What emotion did Raman feel when he saw that the Rani had given him five gold coins ?
(A) Determination
(B) Regret
(C) Hatred
(D) Suspicion
(E) Thrill
Ans : (B)
8. What did Raman do when Rani Matsya asked him for something in return for her charity ?
(A) He gave her five grains of rice out of his full bowl of rice
(B) He gave her the five gold coins that he had saved
(C) He handed over the entire bowl of rice that he possessed
(D) He refused to give her anything as he was offended with her request
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
9. Why was Raman angry with Rani Matsya ?
(A) As she had not stopped despite Raman’s calling out to her
(B) As she had insulted him in front of his family
(C) As she had taken the rice grains from him and had not given him anything in return
(D) Not mentioned in the passage
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
10. How did Raman treat his own family ?
(A) He gave his family plenty to eat
(B) He saved whatever food and money he got and handed it over to his family
(C) He loved his family a lot and always put their interests before his
(D) He beat up his wife and children out of frustration
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
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. GALLOPED
(A) Hurtled
(B) Stumbled
(C) Slumbered
(D) Jumped
(E) Ran
Ans : (E)
12. REVERED
(A) Remembered
(B) Feared
(C) Talked about
(D) Embraced
(E) Respected
Ans : (E)
13. HAND
(A) Arm
(B) Throw
(C) Give
(D) Limb
(E) Lend
Ans : (A)
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. REVEAL(A) Stop
(B) Conceal
(C) Present
(D) Pending
(E) Tell
Ans : (B)
15. ELATED(A) Afraid
(B) Poor
(C) Happy
(D) Depressed
(E) Grounded
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) 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. Because of the black and white rats the branch would fall on the ground very soon and the man woke up with a start only to realize that it was a dream.
2. On climbing, he looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.
3. Once a man dreamt that a lion was chasing him.
4. One rat was black and the other one was white.
5. The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch.
6. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch.
16. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (B)
17. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (E)
18. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (F)
19. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (A)
20. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (C)
Directions—(Q. 21–25) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is given and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer.
21. In order to forget his worries Rahul take to smoke day and night.
(A) took to smoke
(B) taking to smoking
(C) take to smoking
(D) took to smoking
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)
22. Prerna was very please with the gift she had received from her best friend on her birthday—
(A) was very pleased
(B) was very pleasing
(C) is very pleased
(D) is very pleasing
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)
23. She was so scared on seeing the lion that she shooked like a leaf.
(A) shaked like a leaf
(B) shook like a leaf
(C) shook like a leaves
(D) shake like a leaf
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)
24. Meena had the presence of mind to get out of the way as the bus sped out of control past her.
(A) present of mind
(B) present mind
(C) presence in mind
(D) presence to mind
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)
25. Finally Suhas had gather the courage to speak against his father’s atrocities—
(A) gathering the courage
(B) gathers courage
(C) gathered the courage
(D) gather the couraged
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)
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. The designer will showcash (A) her collection (B) at an upcoming (C) fashion (D) event in the city. All correct (E)
Ans : (A)
27. Our mind is like a garden (A) which can either be intelligently (B) cultivated (C) or be allowed to run wilde. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (D)
28. Researchers (A) have identified (B) the early master cells that make up the human heart could be used to make patches (C) to fix damaged (D) hearts. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
29. The girl spends (A) every knight (B) studying, as she wants to graduate (C) from a well known college (D) with good marks. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)
30. The next time your gym instructor (A) tells you to do some stretching (B) exersises (C) before starting the workout, (D) say no. All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
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.
There was a man who had four sons. He …(31)… his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a …(32)… in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he …(33)… them together to …(34)… what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No ! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that …(35)… so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had …(36)… seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then …(37)… to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one …(38)… in the tree’s life. He told them that you …(39)… judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the …(40)… of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured
at the end, when all the seasons are over.
31. (A) created
(B) wanted
(C) placed
(D) meant
(E) teach
Ans : (B)
32. (A) quest
(B) airplane
(C) expedition
(D) pilgrimage
(E) requested
Ans : (A)
33. (A) followed
(B) tied
(C) called
(D) said
(E) bound
Ans : (C)
34. (A) all
(B) predict
(C) maintain
(D) describe
(E) talk
Ans : (D)
35. (A) was
(B) fell
(C) colour
(D) smelled
(E) cooked
Ans : (D)
36. (A) worriedly
(B) mostly
(C) ever
(D) forever
(E) forcefully
Ans : (C)
37. (A) tell
(B) leaked
(C) reprimanded
(D) stood
(E) explained
Ans : (E)
38. (A) flower
(B) season
(C) ground
(D) more
(E) leaf
Ans : (B)
39. (A) let
(B) not
(C) must
(D) should
(E) cannot
Ans : (E)
40. (A) essence
(B) danger
(C) tree
(D) fear
(E) journey
Ans : (A)
King Hutamasan felt he had everything in the world not only due to his riches and his noble kinghts, but because of his beautiful queen, Rani Matsya. The rays of the sun were put to shame with the iridescent light that Matsya illuminated, with her beauty and brains. At the right hand of the king she was known to sit and aid him in all his judicial probes. You could not escape her deep-set eyes when you committed a crime as she always knew the victim and the culprit. Her generosity preceded her reputation in the kingdom and her hands were alway full to give. People in the kingdom revered her because if she passed by, she always gave to the compassionate and poor.
Far away from the kingly palace lived a man named Raman with only ends to his poverty and no means to rectify it. Raman was wrecked with proverty as he had lost all his land to the landlord. His age enabled him little towards manual labour and so begging was the only alternative to salvage his wife and children. Every morning he went door to door for some work, food or money. The kindness of people always got him enough to take home. But Raman was a little self-centered. His world began with him first, followed by his family and the rest. So he would eat and drink to his delight and return home with whatever he found excess. This routine followed and he never let anyone discover his interests as he always put on a long face when he reached home.
One day as he was relishing the bowl of rice he had just received from a humble home, he heard that Rani Matsya was to pass from the very place he was standing. Her generosity had reached his ears and he knew if he pulled a long face and showed how poor he was, she would hand him a bag full of gold coins– enough for the rest of his life, enough to buy food and supplies for his family. He thought he could keep some coins for himself and only reveal a few to his wife, so he can fulfill his own wishes.
He ran to the chariot of the Rani and begged her soldiers to allow him to speak to the queen. Listening to the arguments outside Rani Matsya opened the curtains of her chariot and asked Raman what he wanted. Raman went on his knees and praised the queen. I have heard you are most generous and most chaste, show this beggar some charity. Rani narrowed her brows and asked Raman what he could give her in return. Surprised by such a question, Raman looked at his bowl full of rice. With spite in him he just picked up a few grains of rice and gave it to the queen. Rani Matsya counted the 5 grains and looked at his bowl full of rice and said, you shall be given what is due to you. Saying this, the chariot galloped away.
Raman abused her under his breath. This he never thought would happen. How could she ask him for something in return when she hadn’t given him anything ? Irked with anger he stormed home and gave his wife the bowl of rice. Just then he saw a sack at the entrance. His wife said some men had come and kept it there. He opened it to find it full of rice. He put his hand inside and caught hold of a hard metal only to discover it was a gold coin. Elated he upturned the sack to find 5 gold coins in exact for the five rice grains. If only I had given my entire bowl, thought Raman, I would have had a sack full of gold.
1. According to the passage, which of the following is definitely true about Rani Matsya ?
(1) She was beautiful
(2) She was intelligent
(3) She was kind
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Only (1) and (2)
(E) All the three (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (E)
2. What does the phrase ‘pulled a long face’ as used in the passage mean ?
(A) Scratched his face
(B) Looked very sorrowful
(C) Disguised himself
(D) Put on makeup
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
3. What can possibly be the moral of the story ?
(A) Do onto others as you would want others to do to you
(B) Patience is a virtue
(C) Winning is not everything, it is the journey that counts
(D) Change is the only constant thing in life
(E) Teamwork is more we and less me
Ans : (A)
4. Why was begging the only option for Raman to get food ?
(A) As Raman belonged to a family of beggars
(B) As begging was the easiest way for him to obtain food
(C) As Raman’s family had forced him to beg
(D) As he had lost all his property and was too old to do manual work
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
5. Which of the following words can be used to describe Raman ?
1. Deceitful
2. Selfish
3. Timid
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 1 and 2
(D) Only 2 and 3
(E) All the three 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (C)
6. What did Raman find after he returned home from his meeting with Rani Matsya ?
(A) The Rani’s soldiers
(B) An empty house
(C) The five grains of rice that he had given to Rani Matsya
(D) A sack full of rice and five gold coins
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)
7. What emotion did Raman feel when he saw that the Rani had given him five gold coins ?
(A) Determination
(B) Regret
(C) Hatred
(D) Suspicion
(E) Thrill
Ans : (B)
8. What did Raman do when Rani Matsya asked him for something in return for her charity ?
(A) He gave her five grains of rice out of his full bowl of rice
(B) He gave her the five gold coins that he had saved
(C) He handed over the entire bowl of rice that he possessed
(D) He refused to give her anything as he was offended with her request
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
9. Why was Raman angry with Rani Matsya ?
(A) As she had not stopped despite Raman’s calling out to her
(B) As she had insulted him in front of his family
(C) As she had taken the rice grains from him and had not given him anything in return
(D) Not mentioned in the passage
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
10. How did Raman treat his own family ?
(A) He gave his family plenty to eat
(B) He saved whatever food and money he got and handed it over to his family
(C) He loved his family a lot and always put their interests before his
(D) He beat up his wife and children out of frustration
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
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. GALLOPED
(A) Hurtled
(B) Stumbled
(C) Slumbered
(D) Jumped
(E) Ran
Ans : (E)
12. REVERED
(A) Remembered
(B) Feared
(C) Talked about
(D) Embraced
(E) Respected
Ans : (E)
13. HAND
(A) Arm
(B) Throw
(C) Give
(D) Limb
(E) Lend
Ans : (A)
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. REVEAL(A) Stop
(B) Conceal
(C) Present
(D) Pending
(E) Tell
Ans : (B)
15. ELATED(A) Afraid
(B) Poor
(C) Happy
(D) Depressed
(E) Grounded
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) 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. Because of the black and white rats the branch would fall on the ground very soon and the man woke up with a start only to realize that it was a dream.
2. On climbing, he looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.
3. Once a man dreamt that a lion was chasing him.
4. One rat was black and the other one was white.
5. The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch.
6. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch.
16. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (B)
17. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (E)
18. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (F)
19. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (A)
20. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (C)
Directions—(Q. 21–25) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is given and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer.
21. In order to forget his worries Rahul take to smoke day and night.
(A) took to smoke
(B) taking to smoking
(C) take to smoking
(D) took to smoking
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)
22. Prerna was very please with the gift she had received from her best friend on her birthday—
(A) was very pleased
(B) was very pleasing
(C) is very pleased
(D) is very pleasing
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)
23. She was so scared on seeing the lion that she shooked like a leaf.
(A) shaked like a leaf
(B) shook like a leaf
(C) shook like a leaves
(D) shake like a leaf
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)
24. Meena had the presence of mind to get out of the way as the bus sped out of control past her.
(A) present of mind
(B) present mind
(C) presence in mind
(D) presence to mind
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)
25. Finally Suhas had gather the courage to speak against his father’s atrocities—
(A) gathering the courage
(B) gathers courage
(C) gathered the courage
(D) gather the couraged
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)
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. The designer will showcash (A) her collection (B) at an upcoming (C) fashion (D) event in the city. All correct (E)
Ans : (A)
27. Our mind is like a garden (A) which can either be intelligently (B) cultivated (C) or be allowed to run wilde. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (D)
28. Researchers (A) have identified (B) the early master cells that make up the human heart could be used to make patches (C) to fix damaged (D) hearts. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
29. The girl spends (A) every knight (B) studying, as she wants to graduate (C) from a well known college (D) with good marks. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)
30. The next time your gym instructor (A) tells you to do some stretching (B) exersises (C) before starting the workout, (D) say no. All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
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.
There was a man who had four sons. He …(31)… his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a …(32)… in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he …(33)… them together to …(34)… what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No ! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that …(35)… so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had …(36)… seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then …(37)… to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one …(38)… in the tree’s life. He told them that you …(39)… judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the …(40)… of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured
at the end, when all the seasons are over.
31. (A) created
(B) wanted
(C) placed
(D) meant
(E) teach
Ans : (B)
32. (A) quest
(B) airplane
(C) expedition
(D) pilgrimage
(E) requested
Ans : (A)
33. (A) followed
(B) tied
(C) called
(D) said
(E) bound
Ans : (C)
34. (A) all
(B) predict
(C) maintain
(D) describe
(E) talk
Ans : (D)
35. (A) was
(B) fell
(C) colour
(D) smelled
(E) cooked
Ans : (D)
36. (A) worriedly
(B) mostly
(C) ever
(D) forever
(E) forcefully
Ans : (C)
37. (A) tell
(B) leaked
(C) reprimanded
(D) stood
(E) explained
Ans : (E)
38. (A) flower
(B) season
(C) ground
(D) more
(E) leaf
Ans : (B)
39. (A) let
(B) not
(C) must
(D) should
(E) cannot
Ans : (E)
40. (A) essence
(B) danger
(C) tree
(D) fear
(E) journey
Ans : (A)
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