English Sectional Test 1 for SBI PO 2019 Prelim Exam

Directions(1-10): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows.

Agriculture dominates change in India through its causal links with factor and product markets. It employs 60 per cent of the labour force and contributes 26 per cent of the gross domestic product. In the poorer states, its contribution to the domestic product is close to 40 per cent. Low productivity in agriculture has led to the concentration of the poor in this sector. Due to the sheer size of the agricultural economy and the importance of its major products (cereals) in the diets of the poor, gains in agricultural productivity have significant potential impact on poverty. Theoretically, it is possible to reduce poverty as well as expand the domestic market for industry by raising labour productivity in agriculture and spreading its gains among the low-income groups. Modelling of the linkages between agricultural and industrial growth has shown that a 10 per cent increase in agricultural output would increase industrial output by 5 per cent and urban workers would benefit by both increased industrial employment and price deflation. However, there is an asymmetry of adjustments in the demand and supply of agricultural goods. An increase in non-agricultural production would lead to an immediate increase in demand for intermediate and final agricultural goods, whereas supply-side adjustments involving re-allocation of resources and net additional investment for capacity expansion take a much longer period. There is a widely held view that in a large country like India, the demand stimulus for industrialisation would come mainly from agriculture with less social and economic costs. Interdependencies in food and labour market are important for the development process. An upward shift in the food supply curve would simultaneously result in an upward shift in the labour demand curve. The magnitude of the interdependence depends on the technique of production causing the shifts in the food supply curve. Similarly, an upward shift in the labour supply curve shifts up the food demand curve. The extent of interdependence between the forces of labour supply and food demand depends on the employment-output elasticity and the income elasticity of demand for food. The recent estimate of the employment-output elasticity in agriculture is around 0.5, income elasticity of food is in the range of 0.55-0.60 and that for cereals is 0.25-0.30. The other important inter-dependency, which plays a crucial role in inducing indirect employment, is that between food and other sectors through demand linkages. Since food accounts for a major share in the budget of the poor and any reduction in the food price leaves a significant proportion of income for other items, a lower food price stimulates employment in industrial and service sectors. On the other hand, an increase in the food price would increase the wage costs of industrial products and hence the prices of industrial products. In the absence of adjustments through exports, it would result in demand deficiency. Clearly, the most favourable situation in India is one in which labour demand outpaces its supply and food supply outpaces its demand. Wage rates cannot fall below a certain minimum determined by the costs of subsistence living and the labour supply curve turns elastic at the subsistence wage rate. Demographic pressure cannot push the wage rate below the subsistence level. People would be willing to starve rather than work unless the energy expended in physical work is compensated by the energy provided by food. Foodgrain price usually determines the subsistence wage rate in agricultural as well as in the urban informal sector since foodgrains account for about four-fifth of the calorie intake of the poor.

1. Which of the following, according to the passage, signifies influence of agricultural products on poverty?
   (I) Higher labour productivity in agriculture reduces poverty.
   (II) Agricultural product is the main constituent of the food of the poor.
   (III) Agriculture output spurs industrial growth which ultimately helps the poor.
   
   (I) and (II) only
   (II) and (III) only
   (I) and (III) only
   All (I), (II) and (III)
   None of these
   Option D
   

    

2. Which of the following, according to the passage, benefits the urban workers get from increased agricultural production?
   (I) Urban workers get agricultural products at a cheaper rate.
   (II) Urban workers get more job offers in the agricultural sectors.
   (III) Urban workers get more job offers in the industrial sectors.
   
   None
   (I) and (II) only
   (II) and (III) only
   (I) and (III) only
   All (I), (II) and (III)
   Option D
   

    

3. Which of the following is meant by “the labour supply curve turns elastic at the subsistence wage rate” as used in the passage?
   People refuse to work at the minimum wage rate
   People still work at the minimum wage rate
   People are eager to work at the minimum wage rate
   People have no option but to work at the minimum wage rate
   None of these
   Option E
   

    

4. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
   Increase in labour productivity in agriculture can reduce poverty
   Agricultural sector can provide the impetus for greater industrialization at lower cost
   Increase in food supply will increase the demand for labour forces
   Concentration of low income group people is relatively higher in the non-agricultural sector
   All are true
   Option D
   

    

5. Which of the following in addition to employment-output elasticity, according to the passage, creates indirect employment?
   Inter-linkage of demand of food and other sectors.
   Inter-dependence of forces of labour supply and food demand.
   Income elasticity of demand for food.
   All of these
   None of these
   Option D
   

    

6. Which of the following, according to the passage, can lead to demand deficiency in India?
   Widespread import of food grains
   Oversupply of agricultural products
   Increase in prices of industrial products
   Foresight in gauging the demand-supply of labour
   None of these
   Option C
   

    

7. Which of the following, according to the passage, is the cause for increase in food supply?
   Less demand by the industrial sector.
   Bumper food production due to adequate monsoon.
   Change in technique of food production.
   Not mentioned in the passage.
   None of these
   Option D
   

    

8. Which of the following has the same meaning as the word ‘sheer’ as used in the passage?
   simple
   undiluted
   mere
   outright
   unassisted
   Option A
   

    

9. Which of the following has the same meaning as the word ‘deflation’ as used in the passage?
   reduction
   index
   inflation
   improvement
   diffusion
   Option A
   

    

10. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning of the word interdependence’ as used in the passage?
    correlated
    dependence
    independence
    relativity
    interrelated
    Option C
    

     

Directions(11-15): In the passage given below there are 5 blanks. Every blank has four alternative words given in options (A),(B),(C), and (D). You have to tell which word is APPROPRIATE according to the context. If all are appropriate then mark your answer as “E”.

The government and the Supreme Court collegium seem to disagree on recommendations for judicial appointments quite frequently these days. It has become ___1___ to hear that some recommendations for High Court appointments, as well as elevation to the Supreme Court, have met with disapproval from the government. In such instances, it requires ___2___ by the collegium for the names to be cleared. This need not always be a cause for concern if it is a sign of some serious consultation on the suitability of those recommended. However, it acquires the character of a controversy if the government’s objections suggest an oblique motive to ___3___ or delay the appointment of particular nominees. The latest development concerns Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Aniruddha Bose and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice A.S. Bopanna, who were on April 12 recommended for ___4___ to the Supreme Court. The government had sought a reconsideration of the two names. The ___5___ has now repeated its recommendations, emphasising that there is nothing adverse against the two judges in terms of their “conduct, competence and integrity” and that there is no reason to agree with the government.

11. spooky
    routine
    quaint
    kinky
    All are Correct
    Option B
    

     

12. regularity
    frequency
    reiteration
    ingemination
    All are Correct
    Option E
    

     

13. patronize
    facilitate
    assist
    thwart
    All are Correct
    Option D
    

     

14. elevation
    scrutinise
    appreciate
    modesty
    All are Correct
    Option A
    

     

15. chamber
    collegium
    division
    panel
    All are Correct
    Option E
    

     

Direction (16-20): In each question below a sentence is given with two blanks in each. Each question is followed by four options with two words in each. You have to select that option as your answer which can fill both the blanks of the sentence.

16. When reviewing a show like Game of Thrones, you often feel like Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), former hand of the former Queen, or the late Lord Varys (Conleth Hill). You’re constantly striving to steer clear of the danger of simply cheering your ______________ along as she grows increasingly powerful with each monstrously gigantic spectacle. You recognise that your job is to judge her actions with clarity where she has been blinded by her own ______________.
    sovereign, stretch
    liege, girth
    suzerain, continuance
    staunch, bound
    All are Correct
    Option B
    

     

17. Even as the opening credits ______________, I was optimistic about being given a good justification for Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) utterly mad behaviour, hoping desperately that what came over her last week would be revealed to be something more than just that basic ______________— an intoxicating cocktail of indignation, insecurity, and power mutating a just conquerer into a delusional despot.
    revolved, tangible
    squished, substantial
    rolled, trope
    trilled, particular
    All are Correct
    Option C
    

     

18. We get a conclusion for Dany’s story that is actually rather satisfying, if a bit ______________; the show makes its earnest attempt to contemplate the ideal system of political governance and once again voice some perspective on the age-old ideas of love, duty, justice, morality and how they play off of each other – albeit in the clipped tones and ______________ aphorisms typical of this show.
    hesitated, connotative
    crawled, figurative
    dawdled, evocative
    rushed, allusive
    All are Correct
    Option D
    

     

19. There is a lot of predictable circularity in the ______________— Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is off on another voyage of self-discovery; the ever-independent North is pledging its ______________ to yet another ruler, this time in the form of Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner); the Stark children bid Jon goodbye as he goes off to the Night’s Watch (which, what is its purpose anymore really?
    denouement, swords
    embark, swords
    originate, swords
    invalidate, swords
    All are Correct
    Option A
    

     

20. Say goodbye to the ______________ world of dynastic warfare, Westeros. Welcome to the beginnings of dirty democracy. And this time, the new ruler can’t be ______________ or disposed of without his knowledge — so, technically, this might well actually be the first monarch-for-life in the seven kingdoms. Point being, when the ruler is always one step ahead of everyone, traitors nor plotters can prosper.
    tumultuous, triumphant
    chaotic, overthrown
    messy, invincible
    topsy-turvy, indomitable
    All are Correct
    Option B
    

     

Directions(21-25): In each of the following questions there are sentences. There is an error in one of the parts. Mark the option which contains error parts as your answer. If no part contains error mark option E as your answer.

21. (A) China’s economy is showing signs of a rebound. According to figures released by its National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, /(B) the Chinese economy grew at 6.4% in the first quarter of the currently year compared to the same period last year. While this rate /(C) of growth is equal to the pace registered in the December quarter and faster than economists’ expectations of a 6.3% /(D) expansion, it is still slower than the growth rate of 6.8% recorded in the same period last year.
    A
    B
    C
    D
    NE
    Option B
    currently year = current year

     

22. (A) The arrest of Julian Assange, the head of the anti-secrecy /(B) website WikiLeaks, has renewed a global debate on balancing /(C) freedom of expression (or the right to information) with considerations for /(D) the national security of a country.
    A
    B
    C
    D
    NE
    Option C
    for = towards

     

23. (A) The Madras High Court’s verdict quashing land acquisition proceedings for the proposed /(B) Chennai-Salem greenfield expressway is an indictment of the arbitrary decision-making process behind the project. /(C) This is a political setback to its leading proponent, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, given the extent /(D) to which he went to aggressively stifle all criticism and protests against it.
    A
    B
    C
    D
    NE
    Option A
    The Madras High Court’s = The Madras High Court

     

24. (A) On April 10, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration showed the world the ‘unseeable’: /(B) the very first image of a black hole. Of course, the black hole itself cannot be seen, because light cannot /(C) escape its intense gravitational attraction. The so-called event horizon that envelops the black hole is /(D) the point of no return and any object transgressing its boundary is lost.
    A
    B
    C
    D
    NE
    Option D
    its = this

     

25. (A) The first phase of voting on Thursday to elect the 17th Lok Sabha witnessed enthusiastic participation /(B) of voters in 91 Lok Sabha constituencies across 20 States and Union Territories. /(C) In this opening phase of a total of seven, the challenges in ensuring a free and fair poll, /(D) as well as the trend of high enthusiasm among voters, have been highlighted.
    A
    B
    C
    D
    NE
    Option E
    

     

Directions(25-30): Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C), (D) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (E) ie ‘No correction required’ as the answer.

26. According to the ECI, 1.7% of VVPATs, 0.73% of the ballot units and 0.61% of the control units of EVMs had to be replaced on Thursday. Stray incidents of violence were reported in Andhra Pradesh, but in Jammu and Kashmir the polling went relatively peacefully.
    replaced on
    have to be replaced on
    to be replaced on
    be replaced on
    No Correction Required
    Option E
    

     

27. Visual proof of the existence of black holes comes a century when they make appearance at scientific literature. In a collaborative effort, eight telescopes around the world were used for the experiment.
    after they appeared in
    after they made appeared at
    when they appeared in
    when they made appeared at
    No Correction Required
    Option A
    

     

28. Farmers who stood to lose their land and environmentalists questioned the claim with reducing the transit time, there would be saving of fuel, thereby cutting the carbon footprint.
    questioning claim with
    was questioning the claim by
    had questioned the claim with
    had questioned the claim that by
    No Correction Required
    Option D
    

     

29. At the center of the drama is the question whether Mr. Assange is a “journalist” in the traditional sense of the word and whether, following that line of reasoning, freedom of expression is endangered or constrained by the action taken in this case.
    Consequently of the drama
    In the result of the drama
    At the heart of the drama
    In the middle of the drama
    No Correction Required
    Option C
    

     

30. Beijing, of late, has once again been prodded the banks for boost lending to public and private businesses, apart from implementing various fiscal measures to boost consumer spending.
    prodding the banks over
    prodding its banks to
    prodded the banks over
    prodded its banks over
    No Correction Required
    Option B