English Test for IBPS PO Prelims 2020 Exam set – 16

Directions(1-3): In the given question, four words are given of which two are most nearly the same or opposite in meaning. Find the two words and indicate your answer by marking the option which represents the correct combination.

1. A) Prolix
   B) Vagrancy
   C) Snooty
   D) Humble
   A-C
   A-D
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   Option D
   The word ‘Snooty’ means showing disapproval or contempt towards others, especially those considered to belong to a lower social class. The word ‘Humble’ means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance. Thus, both the words are antonyms of each other. The word ‘Prolix’ means (relating to speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy. The word ‘Vagrancy’ means homeless.

    

2. A) Reckless
   B) Radiant
   C) Prudent
   D) Prominent
   A – C
   B – D
   C – D
   B – A
   D – A
   Option A
   Reckless – heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous
   Radiant -(of a person or their expression) clearly emanating great joy, love, or health.
   Prudent -acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
   Prominent-important; famous

    

3. A) Appropriate
   B) Impartial
   C) Euphoric
   D) Prejudiced
   B – A
   C – D
   A – D
   B – C
   B – D
   Option E
   Appropriate -suitable or proper in the circumstances
   Impartial – treating all rivals or disputants equally, unbiased
   Euphoric -characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness
   Prejudiced –having or showing a dislike or distrust that is derived from prejudice; bigoted

    

Direction: A sentence divided into four parts (1), (2), (3) and (4) is given. The errors are in two parts of the sentence. Determine the parts which require correction and mark it as your answer. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark the answer as No error.

4. Owing to more or less herbivorous habits, (A)/ the intestine is exceedingly elongate and much convoluted, (B)/ being several times large (C)/and of a greater calibre than after the metamorphosis. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option C
   Parts B and C carry the error. In part B, instead of the present tense ‘elongate’ it should be in the past tense ‘elongated’ as the action occurs before the metamorphosis. In part C, instead of the simple adjective ‘large’ the comparative adjective ‘larger’ should be used. Thus, option C is the correct answer

    

Directions(5-10): A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.

5. Olivia was clad in a near-identical orange coat with a fur trim ___________ the Queen wore on her visit to the site, as she walked through a sea of mourners.
   I. And a tantrum
   II. And coordinating hat to the outfit
   III. And a necklace similar to
   Only I
   Only II
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   All of these
   Option B
   

    

6. Because ecological disasters now happen in a cascading manner, that means __________ have now become add-on catastrophes.
   I. ecological balance
   II. long-recognized hazards
   III. hidden disasters
   Only I
   Only II
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   All of these
   Option D
   Option i- It refers to ‘ecological balance’ which can never be an effect of ecological disaster. Also, the given blank is followed by a plural verb “have” which should be preceded by a plural subject, which is not the case here.
   Option ii- It refers to hazards which have always been present or predicted but with the increase in disasters have become catastrophic in nature.
   Option iii- ‘Hidden disasters’ refer to hazards and can be used correctly in the given blank.

    

7. He also saw me through the entire process, going so far as to credit me for the SIM card that did not arrive and this was after ________ outright chicanery and many hours on the phone during what had become my wretched new job.
   I. A farrago of miscommunication,
   II. A dash of invariably
   III. Ferreting out
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   Both I and III
   Only I
   All of these
   Option C
   (I): Farrago means a confused mixture.
   (II): ‘A dash of’ means a small quantity of a something added to something else; an act of running somewhere suddenly and hastily. Invariably means always. This makes the sentence ambiguous.
   (III): Ferreting out means to get, remove, search out, discover, or retrieve something from someone or something, usually with cunning and persistence.

    

8. At magic hour, when the sun has gone but the light has not, armies of ________ themselves from the Banyan trees in the old graveyard and drift across the city like smoke.
   i. Bears part
   ii. Flying foxes unhinge
   iii. Bees tirelessly toil
   Only i
   Only ii
   Only iii
   Both i and ii
   Both i and iii
   Option B
   The given sentence is describing the activities taking place on an evening. The phrase ‘drift across’ means to be moved slowly somewhere by currents of wind or water. ‘Like smoke,’ further, makes it clear that the set of words in the blank should be something that can be carried away by winds or can fly. So, clearly option I does not 􀁽t in the context of the sentence. ‘Toil’ means to work extremely hard or incessantly. ‘Bees toil themselves’ makes no sense. Hence, in the given context, the phrase “􀁾ying foxes unhinge” fits the best as ‘flying foxes’ is the genus of bats and ‘unhinge’ means to unsettle, disrupt.

    

9. Scientists __________________ a localised cancer immunotherapy method that prevents tumour recurrence after surgical removal in mice.
   i. Come up with
   ii. Have put in place
   iii. Have developed
   Both i and ii
   Both i and iii
   Both ii and iii
   Only iii
   All of the above
   Option D
   Option (i) is incorrect as it should contain a helping verb ‘have’ to precede the main verb ‘come’.
   Option (ii) is incorrect as ‘put in place’ means to establish, while a therapy cannot be established.
   Option (iii) is correct as it carries a verb and tells us how scientists have come up with a certain therapy.

    

10. __________________ cancer cells spread to different parts of the body through the lymph or the blood stream.
    I. It is believed that
    II. As per the common belief
    III. It is believing
    Only I
    Only I and II
    Only I and III
    Only II and III
    All of these
    Option B
    I is correct as it connects the sentence using the relative pronoun ‘that’.
    II is correct as it connects the phrase using ‘as per’, which means according to.
    III is incorrect as it makes it unclear ‘who’ / ‘what’ is believing.