English Test for SBI Clerk Prelims 2021 Exam set – 7

Directions(1-8): Read the passage and answer the following questions.

1. The air crash of Taihoku on August 18, 1945, is the Rashomon moment of Asian and Indian political history. What exactly happened to the aircraft carrying Netaji Subhas
   Chandra Bose,the tragic hero of India’s freedom struggle, was never really conclusively understood as everyone who survived that incident and the official power centres of
   the world had a different opinion about it. Ashis Ray has put an end to speculations around the air crash that probably was the first violent incident that left a permanent
   mark on the postcolonial history of India.
   During World War II dozens of crashes took place which altered the course of the war. What, however, was special about the air crash in Taihoku was that it coincided with
   the defeat of Japan in war. The outcome of the crash was that Netaji who had suffered a lot of uncertainties during the last few months of the war disappeared in a fog of
   mystery and speculation even as his closest companions described that he had perished in the crash. However, a great death has to be seen to be believed — Netaji’s
   demise or disappearance remained incomplete as it was not announced by a suitable person close to him.
   The years from 1937 to 1947 were landmark for various reasons. Apart from Partition, this period saw many dramatic violent incidents. Netaji’s disappearance was one of
   them. However, the author does a great job by unmasking how the cult of Netaji was used by cynical political forces of Bengal and at times of Delhi to mobilise supporters.
   As time elapsed and the myths multiplied with reports of citings of the political and military figure, political parties of India benefited. As a result, the myth of Netaji endured.
   A major reason that prevented a credible discussion on the death of Netaji was the breakdown of the internal mechanism of the Congress party. Jawaharlal Nehru who
   took over as the prime minister of India remained on difficult terms with the Boses who maintained a power centre in the Congress party. The cold war between Sarat Bose
   and Nehru was well known and cast a shadow on conduct of frank conversations between the two.

   Which of the following is the most suitable title for the passage?
   

   Politics of Bengal
   The mystery never solved
   Politics of India
   Netaji still alive
   Indian history
   Option B
   The passage states how the mystery of the death of Netaji never got solved and the reasons behind it. It mentions the various speculations revolving around the matter.

    

2. Which of the following expresses the meaning of the word ‘Rashomon moment’?
   An unimportant moment
   An important moment regarding history
   A situation in which an event is given contradictory interpretations
   An incident which triggers fights
   An event which can easily be forgotten
   Option C
   We can deduce from the context of the passage that the phrase ‘Rashomon moment’ must mean ‘a situation in which an event is given contradictory interpretations’.

    

3. Which of the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word ‘cynical’?
   Tolerating
   Deleterious
   Thoughtful
   Distrustful
   Believing
   Option D
   The word ‘cynical’ means ‘believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.’ Thus ‘distrustful’ is the word having
   a similar meaning.
   Deleterious => harmful
   Thoughtful => absorbed in or involving thought.

    

4. Which of the following is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word ‘unmasking’?
   Concealing
   Describing
   Threatening
   Peaceful
   Criticizing
   Option A
   The word ‘unmasking’ means ‘exposing’ thus ‘concealing’ which means ‘hiding’ is the word opposite in meaning.

    

5. Which of the following expresses the meaning of the word ‘credible’ in the passage?
   Postponed
   Unbelievable
   Repetitive
   Squandering
   Acceptable
   Option E
   Postpone – cause or arrange for (something) to take place at a time later than that first scheduled.
   Unbelievable – that which cannot be believed or easily believed
   Repetitive – characterized by repetition, especially when unnecessary or tiresome
   Squandering – waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner.

    

6. According to the passage, which of the following is a reason for Netaji’s death being a mystery?
   Everyone who survived that incident and the official power centres of the world had a different opinion about it.
   As time elapsed and the myths of Netaji being alive multiplied with reports of citings of the political and military figure, political parties of India benefited.
   Netaji’s demise or disappearance remained incomplete as it was not announced by a suitable person close to him.
   Both B and C
   All of the above
   Option E
   

    

7. Which of the following justifies the statement:
   ‘The years from 1937 to 1947 were landmark.’
   The political state of India was turbulent and cynical.
   Netaji’s disappearance led to a huge controversy.
   The breakdown of the internal mechanism of the Congress party started in this phase.
   Both A and B
   Both B and C
   Option D
   The years from 1937 to 1947 were landmark for various reasons. Apart from Partition, this period saw many dramatic violent incidents. Netaji’s disappearance was one of
   them. However, the author does a great job by unmasking how the cult of Netaji was used by cynical political forces of Bengal and at times of Delhi to mobilise supporters.
   As time elapsed and the myths multiplied with reports of citings of the political and military figure, political parties of India benefited. As a result, the myth of Netaji endured.

    

8. Which of the following is the author’s opinion on the death of Netaji?
   Netaji had not died but had been captured by the British as a result of the war.
   He had died as a consequence of the defeat of the Japanese forces during the Second World War.
   He had died in the plane crash but myths about his existence were kept alive.
   Both B and C
   Both A and C
   Option C
   It is mentioned in the passage ‘Ashis Ray has put an end to speculations around the air crash that probably was the first violent incident that left a permanent mark on the
   postcolonial history of India.
   As time elapsed and the myths multiplied with reports of citings of the political and military figure, political parties of India benefited. As a result, the myth of Netaji endured.’

    

Directions(9-10): In the following sentence, four words are given in bold. One of these words may be incorrectly spelled or inappropriate in the context. Find out that word. If all the words are correct, choose option 5 as your answer.

9. Out of the (plethora) of people (1)/ at their (wedding), (2)/ Roger (directed) (3)/ all his (affection) towards his new wife. (4)/ No Error. (5)

   1
   2
   3
   4
   5
   Option E
   

    

10. Rita was asked (repeatedly) (1)/ to work on her (pronounciations) (2)/; (nevertheless), she kept (3)/ making the same (frivolous) mistakes. (4)/ No Error. (5)
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    Option B
    “Pronounciations”, which is incorrectly spelled, has to be changed to “pronunciations”