English Test for SBI PO Prelims 2020 Exam set – 17

Directions(1-5): A sentence divided into three parts I, II and III is given. There may be an error in one or more parts. Determine the part(s) which requires correction and mark it as your answer.

1. Such rudimentary traits are phylogenetically widespread, (I)/ and are primary used as evidence of common, (II)/ dissent, yet their functional importance remains equivocal. (III)
   Only I
   Both I and II
   Only II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   Option E
   The part I of the sentence is correct as the plural verb ‘are’ is used to refer to the plural subject ‘traits’.
   The error in part II of the sentence is that the adjective ‘primary’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with the adverb ‘primarily’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. This is because the verb ‘used’ needs to be modified by an adverb.
   The error in part III of the sentence is that ‘dissent’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with the ‘descent’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. This is because the former means disagreement and the latter means ancestry. Here the sentence is talking about the common ancestry of organisms, which have rudimentary traits.

    

2. The food system is a major driver of climate change (I)/ depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of various ecosystems (II)/ through excessive nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. (III)
   Both I and II
   Only III
   Both II and III
   Only II
   None of these
   Option E
   

    

3. In the contextual of modern electronics, (I)/ temperature differences are often generated (II)/ unintentionally across electronic components. (III)
   Both I and II
   Only I
   Both I and III
   Only II
   Both II and III
   Option B
   Part I is incorrect as the adjective “contextual” is incorrect since it does not have a noun to modify. We require the noun form “context” to make the part correct. This is also true as the preposition “of” follows the word.
   Part II is correct as the adverb “often” correctly modifies the verb “generated”.
   Part III is correct as, the preposition “across” has been used with reference to the array of electronic components.

    

4. Galaxies are surrounded with large reservoirs of gas, mostly, (I)/ hydrogen, that are feed by inflows from the, (II)/ intergalactic medium and by outflows from galactic windy. (III)
   Both II and III
   Only I
   All I, II and III
   Both I and III
   Both I and II
   Option C
   The error in part I of the sentence is that the preposition ‘with’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with the preposition ‘by’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. This is because the verb ‘surrounded’ takes the preposition ‘by’ after it, not ‘with’.
   In part II of the sentence, the past participle form of the verb ‘fed’ will be used in the passive voice construction ‘are + verb’.
   The error in part III of the sentence is that the adjective ‘windy’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with the noun ‘winds’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. This is because we need the noun to be modi􀁽ed by the adjective ‘galactic’.

    

5. Ants originated approximately 150 million years ago, (I)/ and produce colonies with a winged queen, (II)/ male castes and well as a wingless worker caste. (III)
   Only III
   Both I and III
   Only II
   All of these
   Only I
   Option A
   The part I of the sentence is correct as the time frame ‘150 million years ago’ talks of the past, so the past form of the verb ‘originated’ will be used.
   The error in part III is that the phrase ‘and well as’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with ‘as well as’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct.

    

Directions(6-9): In the given question, four words are printed in bold and are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Of these, the positions of two words may be incorrect and need to be exchanged to make the sentence correct. Find the two words which need to be exchanged. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer is (E) i.e. No correction required.

6. Even under tremendous(1) public pressure, the planning committee would not commit(2) itself wholeheartedly(3) to the proposal and gave only tentativ (4) approval to the waterfront development plan.
   4-2
   1-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No correction required
   Option E
   

    

7. He based his evidence(1) on what he inferred(2) from the, conclusion(3) not on what he actually observed.(4)
   4-2
   1-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No correction required
   Option B
   

    

8. Regarding(1) the need for more free refreshments,(2) the group’s opinion(3) was enthusiastic and unanimous.(4)
   4-2
   1-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No correction required
   Option E
   

    

9. The meticulous(1) of the newspaper needed to be sure the article(2) presented the right information,(3) so his review was editor.(4)
   4-2
   1-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No correction required
   Option D
   

    

10. Which of the following is the MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word?

    Launder

    Purge
    Expurgate
    Disclose
    Lustrate
    Reinstate
    Option C
    The word “launder” with reference to the passage means to conceal the origins of (money obtained illegally). Thus, out of the given words, “disclose” which means to reveal has a meaning opposite to it. “Purge”, “expurgate” and “lustrate” mean to purify. “Reinstate” means to restore. Hence, option C is the correct answer.