English Test for IBPS PO Prelims 2020 Exam set – 13

Directions(1-3): In the following question, a word is given, which has been used in the three statements given below it. Identify the statement(s) in which the word fits contextually to convey a logical meaning.

1. Wind
   1) The Prime Minister has the wind at his back on this Temple issue.
   2) Paddy’s wife handed him their six-month-old daughter to be winded.
   3) She was winded from her long run.
   Only 2 & 3
   All 1, 2 & 3
   Only 1 & 2
   Only 1
   Only 3
   Option B
   The meanings of the word ‘bear’ as used in the above sentences are as follows:
   1) The phrase “have the wind at your back” means to be in a good situation in which you can succeed.
   2) to make (a baby) bring up wind after feeding by patting its back.
   3) Short of breath

    

2. Right
   1) You must get a minimum of 40 questions right to pass the examination.
   2) I know we need some extra help but it’s a matter of finding the right person for the job.
   3) The vehicle rambled over a large boulder, skidding off to the left before Westlake wrenched the wheel and righted it.
   Only 1
   Only 2
   Both 1 and 2
   All 1, 2 and 3
   Only 3
   Option D
   The meanings of the word ‘right’ are as follows:
   a) true or correct as a fact. [Adjective]b) best or most appropriate for a particular situation. [Adjective]c) restore to a normal or correct state. [Verb]

    

3. Point
   1) This win could prove to be a historic turning point in the fortunes of the team.
   2) He points to several factors supporting this conclusion.
   3) The decision to point Matt was unanimous.
   Only 3
   Only 1
   Both 1 and 2
   Both 2 and 3
   All 1, 2 and 3
   Option C
   The meanings of the word ‘point’ are as follows:
   a) the significant or essential element of something being planned or discussed. [Noun]b) cite a fact or situation as evidence of something. [Verb]

    

Directions(4-8): In the given question, a sentence is divided into four parts. There are errors in three parts. Choose the part which doesn’t have an error. If all the four parts are correct, mark E, i.e. ‘All are correct’ as the answer.

4. It has just this that Einstein (A)/ could not accept and he wrote (B)/ that the almost incomprehensible thing (C)/ about the world is that it are comprehensible. (D)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option B
   In part A the error lies in the usage of the verb ‘has’. When ‘it’ is followed by the verb ‘has’ it should be followed by a past participle and not an adverb like ‘this’. So, instead of has’, it should be replaced by the verb ‘is’.
   In part C, instead of the adverb ‘almost’ which means very close to, but not quite, we need to use the adverb ‘most’ which is the superlative form of ‘many’.
   In part D there is a subject-verb error. ‘World’ is a singular subject and so, instead of the plural verb, we need the singular verb ‘is’ for it too be correct.

    

5. The world for corporate purchasing (A)/ can be frustrating of small entrepreneurs (B)/ who gets requests for (C)/ elaborate formal estimates and bids. (D)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option D
   In part A, ‘for’ is the incorrect preposition as it means the purpose/reason, destination, recipient, or amount of something. The correct preposition here is ‘of’ which is used for something that belongs to or relates to something else or to reference something.
   Similarly, in part B, instead of the preposition ‘of’ which needs to be followed by a noun or a pronoun, the preposition ‘for’ is more correct.
   In part C, it is incorrect to use ‘gets’ which is used with third person singular subjects in simple present tense. ‘Who’ refers to the plural noun ‘entrepreneurs’ and so we should use ‘get’.

    

6. Even in the best of circumstances, (A)/ fierce competition from larger, most established companies (B)/ makes it difficult for small concern (C)/ to wider their customer bases. (D)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option A
   In part B, ‘larger’ is comparative while ‘most’ is superlative. Either both the adjectives are superlative or they are both comparative.
   In part C, if we consider the third person plural verb ‘makes’ to be correct, then the noun ‘concern’ should be in plural form, to maintain subject-verb agreement. If ‘concern’ is correct then, the second person singular verb ‘make’ should be used.
   In part D, there is a contextual error. Instead of ‘wider’ which is used with reference to explain expansion in width, we should use words like ‘expand’, or ‘broaden’ or ‘widen’ to explain the expansion of the customer base.

    

7. Privately produced (A)/ goods and services (B)/ are abundantly available (C)/ for use and consumption. (D)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option E
   

    

8. The guaranteeing of public goods – security, infrastructure for governance, law making and enforcement, (A)/ provision of material and culture goods (B)/ especially for classes that lack the power, privilege and status (C)/ to secure those for themselves – is state obligation. (D)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option C
   In part A, instead of the gerund ‘guaranteeing’, we need to use the noun ‘guarantee’ to provide the sentence part with an object.
   In part B, ‘culture goods’ is an incorrect phrase. ‘Goods’ is a noun and it would be more appropriate to use the adjective ‘cultural’ before it to describe it.
   In part D, ‘those’ implies distance which is incorrect. We need to use ‘these’ to make the sentence correct.

    

Directions(9-10): In the given question, a part of the sentence is in bold. Below the sentence, alternatives to the emboldened part are given as (A), (B), (C) and (D), which may help improve the sentence. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer will be option (E), i.e. no correction required.

9. Apple left little doubt (that its poised to reveal the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco) to be held on Wednesday.
   that its poise to reveal the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco
   that it’s poised to reveal the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco
   that its poised to revealed the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco
   it’s poised to reveal the iPad 2 at an event in San Francisco
   No correction is required
   Option B
   The correct usage is “it’s” and not “its” in this case. Its is a possessive pronoun whereas its is a contraction of “it is”. In the highlighted part of the given sentence, the full expression would be “that it is poised to reveal the iPad2 at an event in San Francisco”. In place of it is, we can use it’s.

    

10. It has been reported that while digging the ground, the construction workers found a decomposed girl’s body.
    the construction workers found the decomposed girl’s body
    the construction workers found a decomposed body of a girl
    the construction workers found decomposed girl body
    the construction workers found a girl’s decomposed body
    No correction is required
    Option
    The placement of the modifier is improper in the original sentence. The modifier decomposed is describing the condition of the body and hence it should be placed before the word “body”, correct use being girl’s decomposed body.