Indian Bank Probationary Officer Exam, 2010 - English Language - Part 1

Directions-(Q. 1-5) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make it meaningful and grammatically correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer.

1. We have accepted over two billion dollars from them yet it is been used to build hospital in the area.
that is yet to use  although it has been used  not yet being used  which will be used  No correction required
 

2. People have respond in favour the government’s efforts to resolve the budget crisis.
favourably responded  response in favour of  responded favourably to  been responding favourably  No correction required
 

3. Striking this deal will enable the company to expand its operations in Europe.
strike this deal that  to strike off this deal  by striking this deal to  this deal was struck which  No correction required
 

4. We admire they are taking this step despite the numerous risks involved.
them to take  them for taking  that they have taken over  how their taking of  No correction required
 

5. The management has been left with no option else to change the branch timings to avoid losing business.
but to change  except the change of  unless it changes with  other than the changing  No correction required
 

Directions—(Q. 6 –20) 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.

The great fear in Asia a short while ago was that the region would suffer through the wealth destruction already taking place in the U.S. as a result of the financial crisis. Stock markets tumbled as exports plunged and economic growth deteriorated. Lofty property prices in China and elsewhere looked set to bust as credit tightened and buyers evaporated. But with surprising speed, fear in Asia swung back to greed as the region shows signs of recovery and property and stock prices are soaring in many parts of Asia. Why should the sharp Asian turnaround be greeted with scepticism ? Higher asset prices mean households feel wealthier and better able to spend, which could further fuel the region ’s nascent rebound. But just as easily, Asia could soon find itself saddled with overheated markets similar to the U.S. housing market. In short the world has not changed, it has just moved places. The incipient bubble is being created by government policy. In response to the global credit crunch of
2008, policy makers in Asia slashed interest rates and flooded financial sectors with cash in frantic attempts to keep loans flowing and economies growing. These steps were logical for central bankers striving to reverse a deepening economic crisis. But there’s evidence that there is too much easy money around. It’s winding up in stocks and real estate, pushing prices up too far and too fast for the underlying economic fundamentals. Much of the concern is focused on China, where government stimulus efforts have been large and effective. Money in China has been especially easy to find. Aggregate new bank lending surged 201% in the first half of 2009 from the same period a year earlier, to nearly $ 1.1 trillion. Exuberance over a quick recovery –which was given a boost by China ’s surprisingly strong 7.9% GDP growth in the second quarter–has buoyed investor sentiment not just for stocks but also for real estate.
Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan argued that bubbles could only be recognised in hindsight. But investors –who have been well schooled in the dangers of bubbles over the past decade are increasingly wary that prices have risen too far, and that the slightest bit of negative economic news could knock markets for a loop. These fears are compounded by the possibility that Asia’s central bankers will begin taking steps to shut off the money. rumours that Beijing was on the verge of tightening credit led to Shanghai stocks plunging 5%. Yet many economists believe that, “there is close to a zero possibility that the Chinese government will do anything this year that constitutes tightening.” And without a major shift in thinking, the easy money conditions will stay in place. In a global economy that has produced more dramatic ups and downs than anyone thought possible over the past two years, Asia may be heading for another disheartening plunge.

6. To which of the following has the author attributed the 2008 Asian financial crisis ?
(1) Reluctance of Asian governments to taper off the economic stimulus
(2) Greed of Asian investors causing them to trade stocks of American companies at high prices
(3) Inflated real estate prices in Asian countries
None  Only (1)  Only (3)  Only (1) and (2)  Only (2)
 

7. What does the author want to convey through the phrase “The world has not changed it has just moved places” ?
At present countries are more dependent on Asian economics than on the US economy  Economies has become interlinked on account of globalisation  Asian governments are implementing the same economic reforms as developed countries  All economies are susceptible to recession because of the state of the US economy  None of these
 

8. Which of the following can be said about the Chinese government’s efforts to revive the economy ?
These were largely unsuccessful as only the housing market improved  The government’s only concern was to boost investor confidence in stocks  These efforts were ineffectual as the economy recovered owing to the US market stabilising  These were appropriate and accomplished the goal of economic revival  They blindly imitated the economic reforms adopted by the US
 

9. Why do experts predict that Asian policy makers will not withdraw fiscal stimulus ?
(1) The US economy is not likely to recover for a long time
(2) Stock markets are yet to regain their former levels
(3) Fear of revolt by greedy citizens
None  Only (3)  Only (1) and (3)  Only (2)  Only (2) and (3)
 

10. What do the statistics about loans given by Chinese banks in 2009 indicate ?
There was hardly any demand for loans in 2008  The Chinese government has borrowed funds from the U.S.  China will take longer than the US to recover from the economic crisis  The GDP of China was below expectations  None of these
 

Part I        Part II        Part III        Part IV       Part V

Indian Bank Probationary Officer Exam, 2010 - English Language - Part 2

11. Why has investor confidence in the Chinese stock market been restored ?
(1) Existing property prices which are stable and affordable
(2) The government has decided to tighten credit
(3) Healthy growth of the economy indicated by GDP figures
Only (3)  Only (1) and (2)  All (1), (2) and (3)  Only (2)  None of these
 

12. What is the author’s main objective in writing the passage ?
Illustrating that Asian economies are financially more sound than those of developed countries  Disputing financial theories about how recessions can be predicted and avoided  Warning Asian countries about the dangers of favouring fast growth and profits over sound  Extolling China’s incredible growth and urging other countries to emulate it  Advising governments about the changes in policy to strengthen economic fundamentals
 

13. Why does the author doubt the current resurgence of Asian economics ?
Their economies are too heavily reliant on the American economy which is yet to recover  Central banks have slashed interest rates too abruptly which is likely to cause stock markets to crash  With their prevailing economic conditions they are at risk for a financial crisis  Their GDP has not grown significantly during the last financial year  None of these
 

14. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage ?
(1) All Asian economies are recovering at the same pace
(2) Experts are apprehensive about the state of Asian economies despite their recovery
(3) Developed countries should implement the same economies reforms as Asian ones
Only (1)  Only (2) and (3)  Only (1) and (2)  Only (2)  None of these
 

15. According to the passage, which of the following factor(s) has/ have had a negative impact on
the Asian stock markets ?
(1) Abrupt drop in exports by Asian countries
(2) Extravagant disbursement of housing loans in 2009
(3) Raising of interest rates by the Central Bank
None  Only (1) and (2)  Only (1)  Only (1) and (3)  All (1), (2) and (3)
 

Directions-(Q. 16-18) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

16. Fuel
Petrol  Stimulate  Sustain  Heat  Charge
 

17. Flooded
Surged  Saturated  Overflowed  Deluge  Overcome
 

18. Evaporated
Dehydrated  Melted  Vaporised  Vanished  Dodged
 

Directions-(Q. 1920) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

19. Buoyed
Heavy  Stifled  Numbed  Dull  Abated
 

20. Sharp
Blunt  Incomplete  Naive  Indistinct  Gradual
 

Part I        Part II        Part III        Part IV       Part V

Indian Bank Probationary Officer Exam, 2010 - English Language - Part 3

Directions-(Q . 21 -30) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical
mistake/error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. Mark the letter of that part with error as your answer. If there is ‘No error’, mark (E).

21. Arranging such a large amount (A) /of funds now will be a problem why (B) / banks are usually not open (C) /so early in the morning. (D) No error (E)
Arranging such a large amount  of funds now will be a problem why  banks are usually not open  so early in the morning  No error
 

22. He had telephoned yesterday to (A) /ask how much of the youth (B) /who attend our classes would be (C) /interested in working for a textile company. (D) No error (E)
He had telephoned yesterday to   ask how much of the youth  who attend our classes would be  interested in working for a textile company  No error
 

23. Though he has promoted to (A) / the bank’s board as a director (B) / he continues to carry out (C) / all his current responsibilities. (D) No error (E)
Though he has promoted to  the bank’s board as a director  he continues to carry out  all his current responsibilities  No error
 

24. The Board’s decision has provided (A) / employees with the opportunity (B) / to acquire upto 100 (C) / shares by the company. (D) No error (E)
The Board’s decision has provided  employees with the opportunity  to acquire upto 100  shares by the company  No error
 

25. If the manufacturing sector continues (A) / to grow at the same rate for (B) / the next few months, I think it (C) / has a high growth rate this year. (D) No error (E)
If the manufacturing sector continues  to grow at the same rate for  the next few months, I think it  has a high growth rate this year  No error
 

26. The government is working (A) / out a new system to compensate (B) / those companies to sell (C) / products below the market price. (D) No error (E)
The government is working  out a new system to compensate  those companies to sell  products below the market price  No error
 

27. The success of the (A) / government sponsor job guarantee programme (B) / has resulted in a (C) / drastic drop in poverty. (D) No error (E)
The success of the  government sponsor job guarantee programme  has resulted in a  drastic drop in poverty  No error
 

28. We were forced into react (A) / as no organisation can (B) / afford to adhere to (C) / these outdated regulations. (D) No error (E)
We were forced into react  as no organisation can  afford to adhere to  these outdated regulations  No error
 

29. We had extensively discussions (A) / with the participants and (B) / obtained their feedback (C) / regarding our new services. (D) No error (E)
We had extensively discussions  with the participants and  obtained their feedback  regarding our new services  No error
 

30. Their failure to inspect (A) / our factories is a (B) / clear indications that our (C) / license will not be renewed. (D) No error (E)
Their failure to inspect  our factories is a   clear indications that our   license will not be renewed  No error
 

Part I        Part II        Part III        Part IV       Part V

Indian Bank Probationary Officer Exam, 2010 - English Language - Part 4

Directions—(Q. 31 –35) 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.

31. Though these programmes have proved (A) to be extremely (B) effective (C) they do have certain drawbacks. (D) All correct (E)
Though these programmes have proved  to be extremely  effective   they do have certain drawbacks  All correct
 

32. According to these estimates (A) our profitable (B) margin (C) will be higher if we adopt (D) this approach. All correct (E)
According to these estimates  our profitable  margin   will be higher if we adopt this approach  All correct
 

33. In order to confront (A) the threat (B) of global warming it is imperative (C) that we work altogether. (D) All correct (E)
In order to confront  the threat  of global warming it is imperative  that we work altogether  All correct
 

34. Any failure (A) to complicit (B) with these fundamental (C) regulations will result in a fine. (D) All correct (E)
Any failure  to complicit  with these fundamental  regulations will result in a fine  All correct
 

35. Every organization needs to be proactive (A) in devising (B) stratergies (C) to ensure the retention (D) in staff. All correct (E)
Every organization needs to be proactive  in devising  stratergies   to ensure the retention   All correct
 

Directions—(Q. 36 –40) 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. However if this happens it will cause problems for the elderly who mainly use cheques.
2. The use of cheques has fallen dramatically in the past few years.
3. Thus cheques may be phased out gradually making sure that the needs of all consumers including the elderly are met.
4. This is because more and more consumers are transferring money electronically by direct debit or credit cards.
5. Without cheques they are likely to keep large amounts of cash in their homes making them vulnerable to theft.
6. British banks have thus voted to phase cheques out in favour of these more modern payment methods.

36. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
1  2  3  4  5
 

37. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
2  3  4  5  6
 

38. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
1  2  3  4  6
 

39. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
2  3  4  5  6
 

40. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
2  3  4  5  1
 

Part I        Part II        Part III        Part IV       Part V

Indian Bank Probationary Officer Exam, 2010 - English Language - Part 5

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 World Diabetes Congress has determined that India has the largest number of diabetics in the world. Apart from the loss of productivity, the …(41)… burden is alarming – $ 2.8 billion annually. Sedentary jobs, …(42)… of electronic entertainment, changing diet patterns and …(43)… dependence on automobiles have driven the activity …(44)… of Indians’ lives especially in cities. The …(45)… is, therefore, to make people physically …(46)… and requires interventions which imapct
a large …(47)… of the population. Admittedly physical activity is a …(48)… of choice and is strongly driven by …(49)… preferences. But policymaking needs to shift to …(50)… moderate levels of physical activity in the daily lives of people. One way to accomplish this is to create walkable communities that give residents a variety of destinations within walking distance.

41. Fill in the blank:
economic  finance  subsidy  physical  health
 

42. Fill in the blank:
broadcast  spread  prevalent  expand  widespread
 

43. Fill in the blank:
totally  entirely  grown  mutual  increasing
 

44. Fill in the blank:
most  out  from  through  outside
 

45. Fill in the blank:
ultimatum  hazard  sensitivity  challenge  dispute
 

46. Fill in the blank:
equip  built  active  trained  qualified
 

47. Fill in the blank:
section  scale  degree  per cent  piece
 

48. Fill in the blank:
want  matter  scarcity  right  lack
 

49. Fill in the blank:
showing  given  special  personal  individually
 

50. Fill in the blank:
pursuit  indulge  introduce  insist  attract
 

Part I        Part II        Part III        Part IV       Part V