English Test for IBPS PO Prelims Exam set – 13

Directions (1-3): In each of the question given below a/an idiom/phrase is given in bold which is then followed by five options which then try to decipher its meaning. Choose the option which gives the correct meaning of the phrases.

1. Zip your lip
   To make a loud noise
   To put make up on lips
   To stop talking
   To hide a secret
   None of the above
   Option C
   Zip your lip: To stop talking

    

2. Miss the boat
   Miss the first spot in a queue
   Miss a beautiful memory of the past
   Miss the chance
   Miss a boat ride
   None of the above
   Option C
   Miss the boat: Miss the chance

    

3. Fine-tooth comb
   To perform an assigned task responsibly
   Examining something carefully to not miss out any details
   Clever enough to hide something easily
   To comb one’s hair properly
   None of the above
   Option B
   Fine-tooth comb: Examining something carefully to not miss out any details.

    

Directions (4-5): In each of the following sentences, there is a blank space. Below each such sentence, there are five options with one word each. Fill up the blanks with the word that makes the sentence grammatically and contextually correct.

4. After causing a lot of chaos outside of the meeting, the committee’s president decided to …………………. the businessmen from attending the meeting.
   admitting
   debar
   suspect
   offers
   assistance
   Option B
   Debar: exclude or prohibit (someone) officially from doing something

    

5. Although the hurricane was rapidly coming their way, the townspeople were ………………… and did not leave their homes.
   exonerate
   submit
   cooperate
   harshly
   obdurate
   Option E
   Obdurate: stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.

    

Directions (6-10): There are four sentences given in each question. Find the sentence(s) which is/are grammatically correct and mark your answer choosing the best possible option among the five options given below each question. If all sentences are correct, choose (e) as your answer.

6. (I) With a little industry and perseverance wonders might be done in this country.
   (II) Almost any job can be shaken off in time and with perseverance.
   (III) Can we rely on the constancy and perseverance of the people?
   (IV) A little did I know that he would create such a ruckus.
   Only (I) is correct
   Only (IV) is correct
   Both (I) and (II) are correct
   Only (I), (II) and (III) are correct
   All are correct
   Option D
   While the quantifier ‘a little’ means something that is not much in quantity, ‘little’ means something that is almost nil. In the case of sentence (IV), there is almost no knowledge of a certain fact. Hence except (IV), all sentences are grammatically correct

    

7. (I) The people who come from here will be something to deal with.
   (II) A good deal of pens is not working.
   (III) They have managed to seal a good deal.
   (IV) It would cost a deal of hard labor, and Captain Fishley would be the only gainer.
   Only (I) is correct
   Only (II), (III) and (IV) are correct
   Only (I), (III) and (IV) are correct
   Both (II) and (III) are correct
   All are correct
   Option C
   “A good deal” is used as a quantifier with uncountable nouns, like work, writing, etc. The phrase, when not used as a quantifier, can simply mean a deal that is good, like in sentence (III). But the phrase cannot be used as a quantifier with countable nouns as in sentence (II). Hence all sentences except (II) are grammatically correct.

    

8. (I) The Secretary and Treasurer were not present at today’s meeting.
   (II) She beckoned to him, but he took no notice, not desiring to be disturbed at present.
   (III) Ramu closely resembles to his father not only in physical features but also in habits.
   (IV) Emotion passed over their features like ripples over a stream.
   Only (II) is correct
   Both (I) and (II) are correct
   Both (II) and (IV) are correct
   Both (I) and (III) are correct
   All are correct
   Option C
   In case of sentence (I), replace ‘were’ by ‘was’ as “The Secretary and Treasurer” denotes the same person. However, if “The Secretary and the Treasurer” were used, then the verb “were” would have been correct as it denotes two different persons and in such cases, it takes plural verb. In sentence (III), remove ‘to’ after ‘resembles’ to make the sentence grammatically correct. “Resemble” is a Transitive Verb and thus it is always followed by Object and not ‘to’, ‘with’, etc. Hence only sentences (II) and (IV) are grammatically correct.
   

    

9. (I) Being occupied with important matters, he had no leisure to see us.
   (II) If it were possible to get near when one of the volcanic eruptions take place we should see a grand sight.
   (III) I am better acquainted with the country than you.
   (IV) One must use his best efforts if one wishes to succeed.
   Only (I) is correct
   Only (III) is correct
   Both (I) and (IV) are correct
   Only (I), (II) and (III) are correct
   All are correct
   Option A
   In sentence (II), replace ‘take’ by ‘takes’ to make the sentence grammatically correct as “One of” is followed by a Plural Noun or Pronoun but it always takes Singular verb.
   In sentence (III), ‘you’ should be followed by ‘are’ as “you” is such a Pronoun which acts the same way in both Nominative Case and Objective Case.
   In sentence (IV), replace ‘his’ by “one’s” as when the subject of the sentence is “One” and it refers to ‘anybody’ then the possessive of ‘one’ is “one’s”.
   Hence only sentence (I) is grammatically correct.

    

10. (I) As a liberal, he had been interested in contemporary politics.
    (II) Ample opportunity was given for explanation and apology for the insult.
    (III) Though the body is bulky, it is yet light and easily sustained by the wings.
    (IV) It is suggested that a ring road should be built to relieve the congestion.
    Only (II) is correct
    Both (I) and (II) are correct
    Both (II) and (IV) are correct
    Both (III) and (IV) are correct
    All are correct
    Option E