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IBPS Clerk Mains General English

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IBPS Clerk Mains General English

shape Introduction

IBPS Clerk 2018 – Main Examination, conducted in online Mode, has: a duration of 160 minutes, 4 Sections, a total of 190 questions, a Maximum score of 200 marks, The 4 Sections are timed: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude. The section wise details are as shown below.

shape Pattern

S.No Sections No. of Questions Maximum marks Time allocate
1 General/Financial Awareness 50 50 35 minutes
2 General English 40 40 35 minutes
3 Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 50 60 45 minutes
4 Quantitative Aptitude 50 50 45 minutes
Total 190 200 160 minutes

The IBPS Clerk General English, section has a total of 40 questions, Maximum marks of 40 and a duration of 35 minutes. Below mentioned are the different categories of expected questions in the Main Exam of IBPS Clerk General English Section.

shape Syllabus

S.No. Topics
1 Reading Comprehension
2 Cloze Test
3 Fillers
4 Sentence Errors
5 Vocabulary based questions
6 Sentence Improvement
7 Jumbled Paragraph
8 Paragraph Based Questions (Paragraph Fillers, Paragraph Conclusion, Paragraph /Sentences Restatement)

shape Samples

Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Financial Inclusion (FI) is an emerging priority for banks that have nowhere else to go to achieve business growth. The viability of FI business is under question, because while banks and their delivery partners continue to make investments, they haven't seen commensurate returns. In markets like India, most programmes are focused on customer on-boarding, an expensive process which people often find difficult to afford, involving issuance of smart cards to the customers. However, large-scale customer acquisition hasn't translated into large-scale business, with many accounts lying dormant and therefore yielding no return on the bank's investment. For the same reason, Business Correspondent Agents, who constitute the primary channel for financial inclusion, are unable to pursue their activity as a full-time job. One major reason for this state of events is that the customer on-boarding process is often delayed after the submission of documents (required to validate the details of the concerned applicant) by the applicant and might take as long as two weeks. By this time the initial enthusiasm of applicants fades away. Moreover, the delivery partners don't have the knowledge and skill to propose anything other than the most basic financial products to the customer and hence do not serve their banks"' goal of expanding the offering in unbanked markets.
Contrary to popular perception, the inclusion segment is not a singular impoverished, undifferentiated mass and it is important to navigate its diversity to identify the right target customers for various programmes. Rural markets do have their share of rich people who do not use banking services simply because they are inconvenient to access or have low perceived value. At the same time, urban markets, despite a high branch density, have multitude of low wage earners outside the financial net. Moreover, the branch timings of banks rarely coincide with the off-work hours of the labor class.
Creating affordability is crucial in tapping the unbanked market. No doubt pricing is a tool, but banks also need to be innovative in right-sizing their proposition to convince customers that they can derive big value even from small amounts. One way of doing this is to show the target audience that a bank account is actually a lifestyle enabler, a convenient and safe means to send money to family or make a variety of purchases. Once banks succeed in hooking customers with this value proposition they must sustain their interest by introducing a simple and intuitive user application, ubiquitous access over mobile and other touch points, and adopting a banking mechanism which is not only secure but also reassuring to the customer. Technology is the most important element of financial inclusion strategy and an enabler of all others. The choice of technology is therefore a crucial decision, which could make or mar the agenda. Of the various section criteria, cost is perhaps the most important. This certainly does not mean buying the cheapest package, but rather choosing that solution which by scaling transactions to huge volumes reduces per unit operating cost. An optimal mix of these strategies would no doubt offer an innovative means of expansion in the unbanked market.
1. Which of the following facts is true as per the passage?
    A) People from rural areas have high perceived value of banking services. B) Cost is not a valid criterion for technological pack selection for financial-inclusion initiatives. C) The inclusion segment is a singular impoverished_ undifferentiated mass. D) The branch timings of banks generally do not coincide with the off-work hours of the labour class in urban markets E. All the given statements are true
Answer: D
2. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons do the delivery partners fail to serve their bank-‘s goal to expand in the unbanked markets?
I) They do not have adequate client base to sell they financial products. II) They do not have adequate knowledge and skills explain anything beyond basic financial products to the customers. III) They do not have the skills to operate advanced technological aids that are a prerequisite to tap the unbanked-market.
    A) Only (II) B) Only (III) C) All (I), (II) & (III) D) Only (I) E) Both (II) and (III)
Answer: A
3. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons is the viability of financial inclusion under question?
    A) Banks always prefer the cheapest package (to cut cost) while making a choice of technology to be used. B) The Business Correspondent Agents are highly demotivated to pursue their activity as a full-time job. C) The investments made by banks and their delivery partners are not yielding equal amounts of returns. D) Banks do not have adequate number of delivery partners required to tap the unbanked market. E) Banks do not have adequate manpower to explore the diversity of the unbanked market and thereby identify the right target customers for various programs.
Answer: C
4. In the passage, the author has specified which of the following characteristics of the customer on-boarding process?
    A) It involves collection of documents from the applicants in order to validate their details. B) It involves issuance of smart cards to the customers. C) It suffers from latency as it takes a long time after submission of documents by the customer D) It is an expensive process which people find difficult to afford. E) All of the given characteristics have been specified
Answer: E
5. What did the author try to highlight in the passage?
I) The ailing condition of financial inclusion business at present II) Strategies that may help banks expand in the unbanked market III) Role of government in modifying the existing financial-inclusion policies
    A) Both I & II B) All I, II, & III C) Only III D) Only I E) Only II
Answer: A
Directions(1-10): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
In economics, the term recession generally describes the reduction of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for at least two quarters. A recession is ___(1)___ by rising unemployment, increase in government borrowing, ___(2)___, of share and stock prices, and falling investment. All of these characteristics have effects on people. Some recessions have been anticipated by stock market declines. The real – estate market also usually ___(3)___ before a recession. During an economic decline, high ___(4)___ stocks such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and tobacco ___(5)___ to hold up better. However, when the economy starts to recover growth, stocks tend to recover faster. There is significant disagreement about how health care and utilities tend to ___(6)___
In 2008, an economic recession was suggested by several important indicators of economic downturn. These ___(7)___ high oil prices, which led to ___(8)___ high food prices due to a dependence of food production on petroleum, as well as using food crop products such as ethanol and biodiesel as an ___(9)___ to petroleum; and global inflation; a substantial credit crisis investment blanks as well ___(10)___ as commercial banks in various, and signs of contemporaneous economic downturns in major economics of the world, a global recession.
1.
    A) Imagined B) Depict C) Shown D) Visualized E) Characterized
Answer: E
2.
    A) Increase B) Variance C) More D) Decrease E) Abundance
Answer: D
3.
    A) Weakens B) Initiates C) Awakens D) Strengthens E) Volatile
Answer: A
4.
    A) Maintained B) Yield C) Heavy D) Result E) Payment
Answer: B
5.
    A) Are B) Want C) Tend D) Yearn E) Made
Answer: C
6.
    A) Distribute B) Recover C) Wait D) Increased E) Fight
Answer: B
7.
    A) Meant B) Show C) Numbered D) Included E) Encompass
Answer: D
8.
    A) Fearful B) Dangerous C) Abnormally D) Healthy E) Nutritious
Answer: C
9.
    A) Alternative B) Variant C) Substitute D) Element E) Integral
Answer: A
10.
    A) Wealthy B) Costly C) Stand D) Created E) Established
Answer: E
Directions (1 - 5): In the Questions given below, there are two statements, each statement consists of a blank. You have to choose the option which provides the correct set of words that fits in the blanks in both the statements appropriately making them meaningful and grammatically correct.
1. I. The administration ______ protesters by agreeing to consider their demands. II. The angry customer was not _____ by the clerk's apology.
    A) poked B) incite C) aggravate D) placated E) evoke
Answer: D
2. I. There are some questions about the applicant's mental ____. II. Test the platform for ____ before using it.
    A) investigate B) keenness C) stability D) sharpness E) durability
Answer: C
3. I. The five men, their Land Rover, and their supplies were loaded into the _____military aircraft. II. A _____ solar storm could fry power grids, knocking out electricity for months.
    A) minute B) gigantic C) contented D) concise E) analogy
Answer: B
4. I. Have a plan but be _____ and adjust to emerging realities. II. She's been doing exercises to become stronger and more ____.
    A) rigid B) wise C) smart D) flexible E) innate
Answer: d
5. I. In science, it only takes one exception to ____ a rule. II. Can we commission a poll to confirm or ____ that thesis?
    A) distinguish B) put above C) disprove D) trivial E) maintain
Answer: c
Directions (1 - 5): In each of the following sentences, find if any part of the sentence (1), (2), (3) or (4) contains error. If there is no error mark “No Error” as you answer.
1. (1)Part of the enthusiasm for this /(2) 22-stock basket can no doubtedly be traced /(3) to the timing of this offer during /(4) a euphoric phase in the stock market.
    A) (1) B) (2) C) (3) D) (4) E) NE
Answer: B
2. (1)One-shot disinvestment is also /(2) cost-effective, reduces investor /(3) fatigue and can be more easily timed /(4) to favourable market conditions.
    A) (1) B) (2) C) (3) D) (4) E) NE
Answer: E
3. (1)The CPSE ETF has managed to deliver a near 70 per cent gain for its original / (2) investors till date, but only with considerable help from fortuitous / (3) timing (March 2014) and sweeteners / (4) such as a 5 per cent discount and 1:15 bonus.
    A) (1) B) (2) C) (3) D) (4) E) NE
Answer: A
4. (1)In recent years, state-owned firms /(2) have been made to cough high dividends, enter into complex /(3) cross-holdings and make political appointments to their boards, /(4) undermining their credibility with public investors.
    A) (1) B) (2) C) (3) D) (4) E) NE
Answer: B
5. (1)Generally, when there is heavy rain, /(2) it is the natural lakes, ponds, tanks, rivers and inter-linked drainage systems /(3) that help replenish the groundwater, hold back some water /(4) and release the excess to the ocean.
    A) (1) B) (2) C) (3) D) (4) E) NE
Answer: E
Directions (1 - 5): Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold.
1. Ubiquitous
    A) Quintessential B) Popular C) Omnipresent D) Simplified E) Abnormal
Answer: C
2. Multitude
    A) Impoverished B) Handful C) Acknowledged D) Plenty E) Solitude
Answer: D
3. Outweigh
    A) Control B) Venture C) Perish D) Determine E) Surpass
Answer: E
4. Heralded
    A) Suspected B) Publicised C) Dragged D) Objective E) Benefit
Answer: B
5. Abate
    A) Rise B) Gear C) Hurl D) Lessen E) Retreat
Answer: D
Directions (1 - 5): Which of the phrases A, B, C, and D given below each statement should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is given, mark E as the answer.
1. The improvement in rankings resulted into coordinated efforts made by the government over the past few years.
    A) resultant into B) is the resultant of C) resultant of D) is the result of E) No Correction Required
Answer: D
2. India is at fourth globally in this category. This is a huge achievement and the government and the securities market regulator deserve credit.
    A) at fourth position B) at the fourth position C) to fourth position D) positioned fourth E) No Correction Required
Answer: B
3. Some of the biggest hurdles that businesses face like in registering property or securing construction permits fall under the realm of States.
    A) as such B) likely C) such as D) same as E) No Correction Required
Answer: C
4. While the government deserves credit for this impressive improvement in the DB rankings, it should not lose sight of the distance still India needs to cover.
    A) india needs B) India still needs C) india needing D) india still needing E) No Correction Required
Answer: B
5. Policymakers should build on recent gains with an accelerated pace of reforms in areas such as land, labour and contract enforcement, which will help in push investment and growth in the medium to long run.
    A) help push B) help in pushing C) help to pushing D) help for pushing E) No Correction Required
Answer: A
Directions (1 - 5): Rearrange the following five sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) , (E) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below.
(A) Man’s mind is complex and a crucial entity and its capabilities are far-reaching in respect of its power to dictate and shape each one’s lot in samsara.
(B) While one learns to accept the inevitability of ageing and death that affect the body, hunger and thirst that pertain to one’s prana are perceived as natural demands that are to be met.
(C) Old age and death, hunger and thirst, sorrow and delusion — are the basic challenges of human life.
(D) The very purpose of human life is lost and defeated by failing to hold the mind in check. .
(E) To lead the mind in the right direction is a tall order, for it is the source of endless desires.
1. Which of the following would be the 'Second' sentence after rearrangement?
    a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
Answer: b
2. Which of the following would be the 'First' sentence after rearrangement?
    a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
Answer: c
3. Which of the following would be the 'Fourth' sentence after rearrangement?
    a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
Answer: e
4. Which of the following would be the 'Third' sentence after rearrangement?
    a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
Answer: a
5. Which of the following would be the 'Last' sentence after rearrangement?
    a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
Answer: d
Directions (1 – 5): Which of the phrases A, B, C, and D given below each statement should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is given, mark E as the answer.
1. The improvement in rankings resulted into coordinated efforts made by the government over the past few years.
    A) resultant into B) is the resultant of C) resultant of D) is the result of E) No Correction Required
Answer: D
2. India is at fourth globally in this category. This is a huge achievement and the government and the securities market regulator deserve credit.
    A) at fourth position B) at the fourth position C) to fourth position D) positioned fourth E) No Correction Required
Answer: B
3. Some of the biggest hurdles that businesses face like in registering property or securing construction permits fall under the realm of States.
    A) as such B) likely C) such as D) same as E) No Correction Required
Answer: C
4. While the government deserves credit for this impressive improvement in the DB rankings, it should not lose sight of the distance still India needs to cover.
    A) india needs B) India still needs C) india needing D) india still needing E) No Correction Required
Answer: B
5. Policymakers should build on recent gains with an accelerated pace of reforms in areas such as land, labour and contract enforcement, which will help in push investment and growth in the medium to long run.
    A) help push B) help in pushing C) help to pushing D) help for pushing E) No Correction Required
Answer: A
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