English Test for IBPS PO Prelims 2020 Exam set – 1

Directions(1-5): The following question carries a statement with two blanks. From the given options, choose the word that would fit n both the blanks to make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful.

1. Corrupt politicians who ________ criticism for their lavish spending always try to ________ the curtain over their corruption.
   Attract
   Draw
   Capture
   Deduce
   Catch
   Option B
   Draw criticism (phrase) means to cause someone/something to be criticised. Note that no one can deduce, catch or capture criticism. The first blank can take ‘attract’ or ‘draw’ both, but the second blank can only take ‘draw’ to complete the phrase ‘draw the curtain’ refers to ‘to conceal something; to keep something a secret’.

    

2. If you just __________ through these newspapers, there is only one news that they __________ drugs for the cocaine cartels.
   Go
   Read
   Run
   Scan
   Smuggle
   Option C
   “Run through” is a phrasal verb of ‘run’. It means to ‘go over (something) quickly as a reminder or rehearsal’.
   “Run drug” refers to “bring (goods) into a country illegally and secretly; smuggle”.

    

3. His tendency to ________ acrimonious remarks about his roommates is of course _______ nonsense.
   Absolute
   Utter
   Express
   Emit
   Deliver
   Option B
   Only the word “utter” fits in both the given blanks. In the first blank it is used as a verb which means ‘say (something) aloud’. In the second blank it is used as an adjective which means ‘complete; absolute’. No other option fits in both the blanks.

    

4. After the judges __________ their seats they will be given a quick ________of events.
   Take
   Summary
   Restart
   Synopsis
   Resume
   Option E
   “resume a seat” means ‘to take or put on again’.
   “Resume of events” refers to ‘a summary’.

    

5. Ordinary workers have been stuck and _______ to begging owing to the ______ number of Shramik special trains run by Indian Railways.
   Forced
   Reduced
   Lessen
   Shrink
   Lower
   Option B
   

    

Directions(6-10): In the given question, a part of the sentence is given in brackets. Below the sentence, three alternatives to the bracketed part are given which may help improve the sentence. Choose the option that reflects the correct use of the phrase in the context of the sentence. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer is (E), i.e. ‘No correction required’.

6. Mr. Raghu said the (planned charges was the last of its straw for customers already angry) over banks’ high-handed attitude.
   I. planned charges were the last of its needle for customers already angry
   II. planned charges were the last straw for customers already angry
   III. planned charges were already the last straw for the customers angry
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   Both II and III
   No correction required
   Option B
   The original sentence uses ‘was’ after ‘charges’. The use of ‘was’ with a plural subject ‘planned charges’ is incorrect.
   Statement I uses ‘last of its needle’, which makes no sense. The correct phrase is ‘last straw.’ Last straw means ‘the final irritation that stretches your patience beyond the limit.’
   Statement III uses ‘angry’ after ‘customers’ riding the sentence grammatically incorrect.

    

7. In the same year, Rokshana became curator of the Academy of Sciences, (a position which she filled to her death).

   I. a position she filled to her death
   II. a position that she filled to her death
   III. a position which she filled till her death

   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   Both II and III
   No correction required
   Option C
   ‘To’ is used when we try to connect to places at two different points. But when we try to connect an action or an event to a point in time we need to use ’till’ or ‘until’. Here ‘death’ indicates a point of time not place. So we must use ’till’. So option C is correct.

    

8. I know for sure that this appliance should not be handled this way but if I am (proved wrong then I will drink a humble pie).
   I. proved to be wrong then I will drink a humble pie
   II. proved wrong then I will drink an honourable pie
   III. proved wrong then I will eat a humble pie
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   II and III
   No correction required
   Option C
   The correct answer is C because the phrase is ‘eat a humble pie’ not ‘drink a humble pie’. The meaning of this phase is ‘make a humble apology and accept humiliation’. Only option C gives us that phrase.

    

9. (For a change being effective), it has to be internalised by people in letter and spirit.
   i. For any change to be effective
   ii. If a change has to be effective
   iii. For a change to be effective
   Both i and ii
   Both ii and iii
   Both i and iii
   All i, ii and iii
   No correction required
   Option D
   The sentence talks about the condition where a change is to be effective. The highlighted phrase is incorrect as ‘being’ is the continuous tense, showing on-going activity, while the sentence talks about a possibility which has not yet taken place. So, the infinitive construction ‘to + be’ should have been used. i, ii and iii can all replace the highlighted phrase and convey the requisite meaning.

    

10. A group of Mexican fans (took a live – size) cardboard cutout of their friend to the 2018 FIFA World cup in Russia after his wife didn’t allow him to accompany them.
    I. Took a life – sized.
    II. Took a alive – size.
    III. Took a life – size.
    Only I
    Only II
    Only III
    Both I and II
    No correction required
    Option C
    In the above sentence, the word ‘live’ is used incorrectly. ‘Live’ is used to refer to someone who is alive and is incorrect and thus, must be replaced with ‘life – size’ referring to the same sized cut – out as a person. Thus, the correct phrase is ‘took a life – size’. Therefore, the correct answer is option C.