English Test for SBI Clerk Prelims 2021 Exam set – 3

Directions(1-5): In the given question, a passage with five blanks is given and the options for the blanks are jumbled. You are required to fill in the correct word in the blank.

A group of alumni, students, researchers, faculty and staff of IIT Kanpur have come out in support of Sudha Bharadwaj, a/an___(A)___(praised) of the institution, andother recently arrested activists, demanding their immediate release. A statement by the group also demands an independent and impartial investigation by the National Human Rights Commission into the circumstances of their arrests. The arrested activists were accused of having Maoist links weeks back.
‘These arrests seem to be a mere ___(B)___(conscious) in an ongoing attempt to intimidate and arrest activists, eminent writers, professors, journalists, and human rights defenders around the country’, said their statement. It ___(C)___ (sequel) the work of Ms. Bharadwaj as a social activist.
Sudha Bharadwaj has a public record of dedicating herself to the most marginalised through her work ___(D)___ (alumna) more than thirty years. She finished her integrated bachelors and masters program in Dept of Mathematics, IIT Kanpur, in 1984. Already socially ___(E)___(spanning) as a student, by 1986 she had moved to Chhattisgarh working with a workers’ organization and trade union in the mining-industrial belt of central Chhattisgarh. It is here she found her being called as a trade unionist, and later, as a lawyer’, the statement said.

1. Which of the following fits the blank (A)?
   

   Spanning
   Sequel
   Praised
   Alumna
   Conscious
   Option D
   In the above context, reference has been made to a person and the only word in the options that can be used as a reference is ‘alumna’.
   The hint of the answer choice can be also be derived from the word ‘alumni’, as used at the beginning of the sentence.

    

2. Which of the following fits the blank (B)?
   Spanning
   Praised
   Alumna
   Conscious
   Sequel
   Option E
   The word ‘sequel’ means ‘something that takes place after or as a result of an earlier event’ and is used to highlight the arrests that are taking place.
   All the options except 5 are irrelevant with the given context and can be rejected.

    

3. Which of the following fits the blank (C)?
   Conscious
   Praised
   Alumna
   Spanning
   Sequel
   Option B
   The word ‘praised’ means ‘to express warm approval or admiration of’ and has been used in the context to praise the works of Ms Sudha Bharadwaj.
   As all the options except 2 are irrelevant, they can be easily rejected.

    

4. Which of the following fits the blank (D)?
   Alumna
   Sequel
   Praise
   Conscious
   Spanning
   Option E
   The word ‘spanning’ means ‘to extend across (a period of time or a range of subjects)’ and fits the sentence in the most appropriate manner.
   It has been used in the above context to refer to the period of time in which Ms Sudha Bharadwaj’s work has extended.

    

5. Which of the following fits the blank (E)?
   Spanning
   Sequel
   Conscious
   Praised
   None of these
   Option C
   The word ‘conscious’ means ‘having knowledge of something’ completes the given context in the most appropriate manner.
   It completes the fact that Ms. Sudha was a socially conscious student and thereby, follows the flow of ideas and is thus the most appropriate answer choice.

    

Directions(6-10):In the following question, a part of the sentence is given in bold; which is then followed by three sentences which try to explain the meaning of the phrase given in bold. Choose the best set of alternatives from the five options given below, which explain the meaning correctly without changing the context.

6. His policies (pay homage to) his humble background from the provincial France.
   A. His policies paid for the housing of people from provincial France.
   B. His policies were in stark contrast with his humble background from the provincial France.
   C. His policies showed great respect for his humble background of provincial France.

   B and C
   Only B
   A, B and C
   Only C
   A and C
   Option D
   The phrase pay homage to means giving great respect and honour to something.

    

7. Central government should immediately (get its act together) with all state education ministers and make suitable policy.
   A. conduct insurrection
   B. make conjectures
   C. convene a meeting
   Only A
   Only B
   Both B and C
   Only C
   No improvement
   Option D
   Let’s find the meaning of following words :-
   insurrection – a violent uprising against an authority or government.
   conjectures – guess; speculation; notion.
   convene – come or bring together for a meeting or activity; assemble.
   get its act together – excite oneself into organising one’s affairs effectively.

    

8. The gamut of financial services offered by London (is petrified to worry) world demand and not that of Britain alone.
   A. is fugitive to challenge
   B. is geared to relinquish
   C. is prepped to comply with
   Only A
   Only C
   Both A and C
   Both B and C
   No improvement
   Option B
   Let’s find out the meanings of the following words:-
   Petrified – so frightened that one is unable to move; terrified.
   Fugitive – a person who has escaped from captivity or is in hiding.
   Geared up- excited; pumped up.
   Relinquish – to give up.
   Prepped – prepared.
   Comply with – according to something

    

9. There is a (sporadic uniformity) in sea levels wherein people are compelled to leave their island nations in the Pacific and Indian ocean.
   A. steady slump
   B. gradual aggrandisement
   C. sluggish growth
   Only A
   Only B
   Both A and B
   Both B and C
   No improvement
   Option B
   First let’s find out the meanings of the following words :-
   Sporadic – occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
   Uniformity – regularity; consistency.
   Slump – sit, lean, or fall heavily; collapse.
   Aggrandisement – increase in the power, status, or wealth of.
   Sluggish – slow-moving or inactive.

    

10. China’s clout (is sedentary) around India’s periphery.
    A. is burgeoning markedly
    B. is revolving simultaneously
    C. is amplifying in sumptuous manner
    Only A
    Only C
    Both A and B
    Both A and C
    No improvement
    Option D
    First let’s find out the meaning of following words :-
    clout – a heavy blow with the hand or a hard object.
    sedentary – a person tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
    periphery – the outer limits or edge of an area or object.
    burgeoning -begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
    amplifying – increase the volume of (sound), especially using an amplifier.
    sumptuous – splendid and expensive looking.