English Test for IBPS PO 2018 Prelim Exam Set – 2

Directions: 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.

1. I woke up early in the morning and had a steamer cup of coffee.
   has a steamer
   has a steaming
   had a steaming
   had a steam
   No correction required
   Option C
   The given sentence has ‘woke up’ which means the sentence is in past tense. So either (3) or (4) could be a correct option. For hot tea, we use steaming tea not ‘steam tea’. Hence, the correct option is only (3).

    

2. Tired of being harassed by the goons, I finally called the police and complained.
   in being harassed
   of being harass
   in be harassed
   of be harass
   No correction required
   Option E
   

    

3. A friendship founded on business is best than a business founded on friendship.
   is good than
   is better than
   is bestest than
   is better then
   No correction required
   Option B
   For comparision we use the word in comparative degree followed by ‘than/to’. Here, it should be ‘better than’. Hence the correct option is (2)

    

4. Right action cannot came out of nothing, it must be preceded by thought.
   come out of
   came out off
   come of
   coming out of
   No correction required
   Option A
   After ‘can’ V 1 is used. Moreover, for being a correct option the given option should be least deviated. Among the given options, option (1) is least deviated. Hence it is the preferred option.

    

5. One of the base laws of nature is that adaptability is the price of survival.
   basis laws of
   basic law of
   base law of
   basic laws of
   No correction required
   Option D
   The correct word is ‘basic’ not ‘base’. Moreover, after ‘one of’ plural noun is used. Hence, ‘laws’ should be used after basic. In option (4), all the words have correctly been used. Hence go with it.

    

Directions(6-10): Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option.

6. It costs more to fly solo. That’s according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, which last week released a study claiming single life can cost people up to £2,000 a year more. Even as someone who’s spent a good chunk of time single, and felt the occasional sting of ____________________ more for hotels, it was hard not to raise an eyebrow at the figures.
   arrogate
   hoarded out
   shelling out
   receive
   All are correct
   Option C
   to pay money for something, especially when the cost is unexpected and not wanted

    

7. When Boris Johnson was in contact with Steve Bannon in July, the message Donald Trump’s ex-chief strategist had for him was straightforward: man up. Step up to the plate. ________________ your knees. You can imagine this unpleasant challenge to Johnson’s virility by the self-appointed guru of the populist right.
   Get on
   Down on
   Go on
   Get off
   All are correct
   Option D
   

    

8. Ten years ago this weekend, frantic efforts were being made to save one of the biggest banks in the world. When chancellor Alistair Darling overruled Barclays’ supreme stupidity in considering the takeover of the stricken Lehman Brothers investment bank – the extent and complexity of its debts would have ___________________ both it and probably the British banking system – the die was cast. Lehman collapsed and the shockwaves are still felt to this day.
   brought down
   brought it down
   get your hopes up
   regurgitate
   All are correct
   Option A
   

    

9. Rachael Bland, to most you are an outstanding journalist and broadcaster. But you were also a cherished wife, mother, sister, daughter, colleague and friend. The darkness left ______________________ your death is lit by the impressive legacy you have created. You’ve changed so many lives for the better. Including mine.
   from the start
   in the wake of
   at the time
   all the while
   All are correct
   Option B
   following (someone or something), especially as a consequence.

    

10. More than half of voters say that no party represents their views. A very substantial chunk of the electorate has no affinity with the ugly fanaticism of either Corbynite zealots or the Brextremists. That ought to leave many empty hectares of prime political real estate available to be _______________________ and built on.
    let go
    lose up
    snapped up
    be immune
    All are correct
    Option C
    to buy or get something quickly and enthusiastically because it is cheap or exactly what you want