English Test for IBPS PO Prelims 2020 Exam set – 5

Directions(1-5): A sentence divided into four parts (A, B, C and D) is given. There may be an error in any of the two parts. Determine the pair of segments which requires correction and mark the relevant option as your answer. If the given sentence is error free, mark option E, i.e., “No error” as your answer.

1. The chickens fought (A)/ for a position in the tiny coop door (B)/ as they watched her (C)/ pour a bucket of water into the container. (D)
   A-C
   B-D
   B-C
   C-D
   No error
   Option E
   

    

2. As a result of the transfer of Jamaica to England, (A)/ the population of Cuba was great augmented (B)/ by Jamaican immigrants to about 30,000 (C)/ on the middle of the 17th century. (D)
   A-B
   B-C
   C-D
   B-D
   No error
   Option D
   Parts B and D are incorrect. In part B, instead of the adjective ‘great’ the adverb ‘greatly’ should be used since ‘augmented’ is a verb. In part D of the sentence, the preposition ‘on’ has been incorrectly used as it is mostly used with days and dates. The preposition ‘in’ is used to denote a moment enclosed in time. Thus, option D is the correct answer.

    

3. Stray cattles are a major (A)/ traffic menace in India, with (B)/ hundreds of bovines roaming free (C)/ on roads across the country. (D)
   
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option D
   Note that in A, the collective noun ‘cattles’ have been wrongly used. It is always ‘cattle’ which represents a collection/group of cows and buffaloes. And in part C, the adjective ‘free’ is incorrect in the given context. Instead we need an adverb ‘freely’ to describe how the bovines roam and create a traffic menace. Thus, option D is the correct answer.

    

4. Instances of the powers that be ignoring publicly visible stock market scams, (A)/ or will be turning a blind eye to large-scale illegal mining (B)/ has become all too familiar, (C)/ and may be readily cited. (D)
   A-D
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option C
   In part B, it is incorrect to use the future continuous tense ‘will be turning’ as part 1 establishes that the sentence is in present continuous tense form (that be ignoring).
   In part C, instead of ‘has’ we need to use the plural verb ‘have’ for the plural subjects.

    

5. As people became fortunate in their personal well-being, (A)/ and as countries became similarly fortunate, (B)/ there is a common tendency (C)/ to ignore the poor. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option A
   In both parts A and B, the past tense form ‘became’ has been used. But in parts C and D, we can see that the present tense form (is, ignore) has been used. Given the sentence context, it can be inferred that the present tense is the correct format. So, instead of ‘became’, we need to use the present tense form ‘become’.

    

Directions(6-10): 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.

6. A) Deploy
   B) Stun
   C) Denigrate
   D) Disparage
   C-D
   A-C
   A-D
   B-C
   B-D
   Option A
   Deploy: move (troops or equipment) into position for military action.
   Stun: knock unconscious or into a dazed or semi-conscious state.
   Denigrate: criticize unfairly; disparage.
   Disparage: regard or represent as being of little worth.

    

7. A) Lethal
   B) Superfluous
   C) Phlegmatic
   D) Essential
   A-B
   A-C
   B-D
   C-D
   B-C
   Option C
   Lethal: sufficient to cause death.
   Superfluous: unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
   Phlegmatic: (of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.
   Essential: absolutely necessary; extremely important.

    

8. A) Acrid
   B) Agnostic
   C) Late
   D) Precocious
   A–C
   A–D
   A–B
   C–D
   B-C
   Option D
   ‘Acrid’ means unpleasantly bitter or pungent.
   ‘Agnostic’ means one who believes it impossible to know anything about God or about the creation of the universe and refrains from commitment to any religious doctrine.
   ‘Precocious’ means exceptionally early in development or occurrence.

    

9. A. Incensed
   B. Intimidate
   C. Pleased
   D. Divisive
   A-C
   A-D
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   Option A
   ‘Incensed’ means to make very angry.
   ‘Intimidate’ means frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what one wants.
   ‘Pleased’ means to cause to feel happy and satisfied.
   ‘Divisive’ means tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.

    

10. A) Cognition
    B) Cognate
    C) Comprehension
    D) Condescending
    A-C
    B-D
    A-B
    C-D
    B–C
    Option A
    ‘Cognition’ means the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. ‘Cognate’ means to be connected. ‘Comprehension’ means the ability to understand something. ‘Condescending’ means having or showing an attitude of patronizing superiority. Thus ‘cognition’ and ‘comprehension’ are almost similar in their meanings.