English Quiz for IBPS PO Mains: 2nd November, 2019

IBPS PO Mains English Quiz on Miscellaneous Topics

Directions (1-5): Given below are six sentences (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) and (F). Answer the following questions after rearranging the following sentences into a coherent paragraph.

(A) The tirade Mike Pence launched against China last week doubled down on that commitment.

(B) This may turn out to be Mr Trump’s most significant mark on the world. America’s new adversarial posture towards China is overdue, popular and probably irreversible.

(C) Where its predecessors lauded the merits of co-operation with the emerging superpower, Mr Trump’s document promised competition and resistance to Chinese trade and other abuses.

(D) The National Security Strategy released by President Donald Trump’s administration last year augured a major change in China-US relations.

(E) In a speech delivered at the Hudson Institute, a short walk from Congress and the ongoing Kavanaugh brouhaha, the vice-president castigated the Chinese for bullying investors, buying allies with cheap loans, “tearing down crosses” and much else.

(F) It was disorientating to witness such tawdry politics at such a potentially momentous moment.

Q1. If sentence (A) ‘The tirade Mike Pence launched against China last week doubled down on that commitment.’ is the THIRD sentence of the coherent paragraph, then which of the following sentences doesn’t fit into the paragraph, formed after rearranging other sentences?
(a) C
(b) F
(c) D
(d) E
(e) B


Q2. Which of the following pairs fall correctly as it is in the final coherent sequence of the sentences, formed after rearrangement?
(a) C-B
(b) B-C
(c) A-D
(d) C-A
(e) E-D

Q3. Considering the statement (A) ‘’ as the THIRD sentence of the rearranged paragraph, identify the correct sequence of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph (excluding the incoherent one)?
(a) FCAEB
(b) BCADE
(c) DCAEB
(d) FEABD
(e) EBACD

Q4. Considering the statement (A) ‘’ as the THIRD sentence of the rearranged paragraph, which of the following statement should be the FIFTH sentence after the rearrangement (excluding the incoherent sentence)?
(a) B
(b) A
(c) F
(d) D
(e) C

Q5. Considering the statement (A) ‘’ as the THIRD sentence of the rearranged paragraph, which of the following statement should be the FIRST sentence after the rearrangement (excluding the incoherent sentence)? 
(a) F
(b) B
(c) E
(d) C
(e) D

Directions (6-10): In the following questions, a sentence is divided into five parts, with one of the parts given in bold which is grammatically and contextually correct. Choose the alternative reflecting the combination of parts which contain errors. If all the parts of the sentence are correct or the combination of erroneous parts is not given, choose option (e) i.e., “none of these” as your answer choice.

Q6. Amazon had the largest not only (A)/ quantity of their own devices, (B)/ but it also had special deals (C)/ that you do not generally see (D)/ at Best Buy and other retailers. (E)
(a) Only A-B
(b) Only C-B
(c)  Only A-D
(d) Both A-B and C-D
(e) None of these

Q7. The number of children who has not received (A)/ vaccines for preventable diseases has quadrupled since 2001, (B)/ to an estimate 100,000 individuals, (C)/ according to a report released by (D)/ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (E)
(a) Only A-E
(b) Only A-C
(c)  Only E-D
(d) Both A-E and C-D
(e) None of these

Q8. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Friday (A)/ visited Katra and took stock of (B)/ the security measures in view for Navratri festival (C)/ which attracts huge rush of pilgrims (D)/  in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, a police spokesman said. (E)
(a) Only A-E
(b) Only A-C
(c)  Only C-E
(d) Both A-E and C-D
(e) None of these

Q9. The Nationalists Congress Party Thursday claimed that rural areas in Maharashtra (A)/ are facing extended power cuts every day (B)/ along with the coal supply meant for the state(C)/  is being “diverted” to poll-bound Rajasthan, (D)/ Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh–all ruled by the BJP. (E)
(a) Only A-E
(b) Only A-C
(c)  Only C-E
(d) Both A-E and C-D
(e) None of these

Q10. In Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala, (A)/ the waste management system is so poor (B)/ that often piles of garbage (C)/ flow into local streams, choking and polluting (D)/ the natural drainage system. (E)
(a) Only B-E
(b) Only B-C
(c) Only D-E
(d) Both C-E and B-D
(e) None of these

Directions (11-15): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage followed by three clauses/phrases. One or more of those clauses/phrases may fit the blank appropriately. Choose the best set of alternatives among the five options given below each question which fill the blanks most appropriately.

A panel of state finance ministers formed (11) ____________________________________________ for natural calamities and disasters has sought the view of the GST Council on (12) ____________________________________________. Acknowledging the fact that the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) was inadequate in lessening the blow of natural calamities, the panel wants the states’ view (13) ____________________________________________. Collections from the National Calamity Contingent Duty—a major contributor to the NDRF—(14) ____________________________________________  Rs 6,450 crore in FY17 to Rs 3,660 crore in FY18. However, a cess may not be the best way to it. Funding disaster management will be better served if done through budget provisioning. Cess collections (15) ____________________________________________ —as per an Indiaspend report, just 29% of the clean energy cess on coal was transferred to the National Clean Energy and Environment Fund between 2010-11 and 2016-17.

Q11. (i) to distribute the fund collected for
(ii) to collect the outstanding taxes 
(iii) to recommend ways to mobilise funding
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) Both (ii) and (iii)

Q12. (i) whether a disaster cess/tax should be imposed nationwide or in a state-specific manner
(ii) the scale of damage caused from a natural calamity
(iii)  disaster management, apart from generating revenues
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) Both of (ii) and (iii)

Q13. (i) on the contravention of any law through such cess/tax
(ii) on whether such a cess/tax violates the law
(iii) if enacting such a cess/tax would violate any law 
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) Both (ii) and (iii)

Q14. (i) have been declining, having fallen from
(ii) have been declining
(iii) have fallen from
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) Both (i) and (iii)

Q15. (i) have tended to become cesspools of inefficient spending
(ii) were in huge loss after 2016
(iii) must rely on scientific data and prepare for worst-case scenarios
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) Both (ii) and (iii)

SOLUTIONS:
 S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. The sentence (F) doesn’t gel well with any of the sentences. The sentence (F) seems to be an opinion of a person about the righteousness of the events happening while the sentences (A) to (E) provides facts about what actions have been taken and possible effects of the actions taken.
Hence, the sentence (F) is the incoherent sentence.
The correct sequence of the coherent paragraph is ‘DCAEB’.
The sentence (D) introduces the theme of the passage which is ‘the National Security Strategy released last year by President Donald Trump’s administration auguring a major change in the China-US relations’. So, the sentence (D) should be the FIRST sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (C) informs a reader about the idiosyncrasy of the National Security Strategy and about how does the present strategy is different from the strategy of the predecessors of the US.
The sentence (A) introduces a new sub-topic of the coherent paragraph which is ‘the tirade which Mike Pence launched against China’ while the sentence (E) elaborates the new sub-theme. So, the sentence (E) must immediately follow the sentence (A) to give us a coherent sub-sequence ‘AE’. This sub-sequence ‘AE’ complements the information provided in the sentence (C). So, the sub-sequence ‘AE’ must follow the sentence (C), and the sentence (C) must be the SECOND sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (B) provides a possible conclusion to the paragraph which is about the possible effect of the new security strategy released by Trump. So, the sentence (B) should be the LAST sentence of the coherent paragraph, making the sub-sequence ‘AE’ to immediately follow the second sentence ‘C’ of the coherent paragraph.
Hence, the final sequence is ‘DCAEB’.
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.

S2. Ans. (d)
Sol. The sub-sequence which would occur in the final coherent sequence is ‘C-A’.
The correct sequence of the coherent paragraph is ‘DCAEB’.
The sentence (D) introduces the theme of the passage which is ‘the National Security Strategy released last year by President Donald Trump’s administration auguring a major change in the China-US relations’. So, the sentence (D) should be the FIRST sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (C) informs a reader about the idiosyncrasy of the National Security Strategy and about how does the present strategy is different from the strategy of the predecessors of the US.
The sentence (A) introduces a new sub-topic of the coherent paragraph which is ‘the tirade which Mike Pence launched against China’ while the sentence (E) elaborates the new sub-theme. So, the sentence (E) must immediately follow the sentence (A) to give us a coherent sub-sequence ‘AE’. This sub-sequence ‘AE’ complements the information provided in the sentence (C). So, the sub-sequence ‘AE’ must follow the sentence (C), and the sentence (C) must be the SECOND sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (B) provides a possible conclusion to the paragraph which is about the possible effect of the new security strategy released by Trump. So, the sentence (B) should be the LAST sentence of the coherent paragraph, making the sub-sequence ‘AE’ to immediately follow the second sentence ‘C’ of the coherent paragraph.
Hence, the final sequence is ‘DCAEB’.
Hence, the option (d) is the correct answer.

S3. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct sequence of the coherent paragraph is ‘DCAEB’.
The sentence (D) introduces the theme of the passage which is ‘the National Security Strategy released last year by President Donald Trump’s administration auguring a major change in the China-US relations’. So, the sentence (D) should be the FIRST sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (C) informs a reader about the idiosyncrasy of the National Security Strategy and about how does the present strategy is different from the strategy of the predecessors of the US.
The sentence (A) introduces a new sub-topic of the coherent paragraph which is ‘the tirade which Mike Pence launched against China’ while the sentence (E) elaborates the new sub-theme. So, the sentence (E) must immediately follow the sentence (A) to give us a coherent sub-sequence ‘AE’. This sub-sequence ‘AE’ complements the information provided in the sentence (C). So, the sub-sequence ‘AE’ must follow the sentence (C), and the sentence (C) must be the SECOND sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (B) provides a possible conclusion to the paragraph which is about the possible effect of the new security strategy released by Trump. So, the sentence (B) should be the LAST sentence of the coherent paragraph, making the sub-sequence ‘AE’ to immediately follow the second sentence ‘C’ of the coherent paragraph.
Hence, the final sequence is ‘DCAEB’.
Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.

S4. Ans. (a)
Sol. The FIFTH sentence of the coherent paragraph is the sentence (B).
The correct sequence of the coherent paragraph is ‘DCAEB’.
The sentence (D) introduces the theme of the passage which is ‘the National Security Strategy released last year by President Donald Trump’s administration auguring a major change in the China-US relations’. So, the sentence (D) should be the FIRST sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (C) informs a reader about the idiosyncrasy of the National Security Strategy and about how does the present strategy is different from the strategy of the predecessors of the US.
The sentence (A) introduces a new sub-topic of the coherent paragraph which is ‘the tirade which Mike Pence launched against China’ while the sentence (E) elaborates the new sub-theme. So, the sentence (E) must immediately follow the sentence (A) to give us a coherent sub-sequence ‘AE’. This sub-sequence ‘AE’ complements the information provided in the sentence (C). So, the sub-sequence ‘AE’ must follow the sentence (C), and the sentence (C) must be the SECOND sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (B) provides a possible conclusion to the paragraph which is about the possible effect of the new security strategy released by Trump. So, the sentence (B) should be the LAST sentence of the coherent paragraph, making the sub-sequence ‘AE’ to immediately follow the second sentence ‘C’ of the coherent paragraph.
Hence, the final sequence is ‘DCAEB’.
Hence, the option (a) is the correct answer.

S5. Ans. (e)
Sol. The first sentence of the coherent paragraph is the sentence (D).
The correct sequence of the coherent paragraph is ‘DCAEB’.
The sentence (D) introduces the theme of the passage which is ‘the National Security Strategy released last year by President Donald Trump’s administration auguring a major change in the China-US relations’. So, the sentence (D) should be the FIRST sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (C) informs a reader about the idiosyncrasy of the National Security Strategy and about how does the present strategy is different from the strategy of the predecessors of the US.
The sentence (A) introduces a new sub-topic of the coherent paragraph which is ‘the tirade which Mike Pence launched against China’ while the sentence (E) elaborates the new sub-theme. So, the sentence (E) must immediately follow the sentence (A) to give us a coherent sub-sequence ‘AE’. This sub-sequence ‘AE’ complements the information provided in the sentence (C). So, the sub-sequence ‘AE’ must follow the sentence (C), and the sentence (C) must be the SECOND sentence of the coherent paragraph.
The sentence (B) provides a possible conclusion to the paragraph which is about the possible effect of the new security strategy released by Trump. So, the sentence (B) should be the LAST sentence of the coherent paragraph, making the sub-sequence ‘AE’ to immediately follow the second sentence ‘C’ of the coherent paragraph.
Hence, the final sequence is ‘DCAEB’.
Hence, the option (e) is the correct answer.

S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. The parts (A) and (B) are incorrect in the sentence. It is to be noted that while using ‘not only…but also’ parallelism should be the goal. It means that the words following both parts of this correlative conjunction (i.e., not only and but also) should belong to the same parts of speech. Therefore, the correct part (A) should be “Amazon had not only the largest”.
In the part (B) “their” should be replaced by ‘its’ as ‘its’ is a third person singular determiner and is used when something belongs or relates to a thing, place, or animal that has just been mentioned or whose identity is known. Therefore, the option (a) is the most suitable answer choice.

S7. Ans. (b)
Sol. The parts (A) and (C) of the sentence contain errors. It is to be noted that the most important relative pronouns for our purposes are “who”, “which” and “that”. In this case, the rule is that the verb that follows the relative pronoun must agree in number with the word that comes immediately before the relative pronoun. Since “children” is plural noun, the verb “has” should be replaced by “have”. In the part (C) “estimate” should be replaced by “estimated”.  This can be understood from the highlighted the part (B) as it indicates that the sentence is in the past perfect tense. Thus, the option (b) becomes the most suitable answer choice as it reflects the appropriate combination of incorrect parts.

S8. Ans. (c)
Sol. The parts (C) and (E) are erroneous in the given sentence. Both the parts consist of prepositional error. In the part (C), “for” should be replaced by “of” as “In view of” is a phrase which means ‘because or as a result of.’
In the part (D) “in” should be replaced by “at”. ‘in’ is used to describe a general location which is large in context, whether indoor or outdoor while ‘at’ describes a specific location. Thus, the option (c) becomes the most suitable answer choice as it reflects the appropriate combination of the incorrect parts.

S9. Ans. (b)
Sol. The error lies in the parts (A) and (C) of the sentence. It is to be noted that in the part (A), the preposition “on” is missing before ‘Thursday’.  “On” is used as a function word to indicate a time frame during which something takes place.
In the part (C), ‘along with’ should be replaced by ‘because’ as the conjunction of reasons are ‘since’, ‘as’ or ‘because’. Thus, the option (b) becomes the most suitable answer choice as it reflects the appropriate combination of incorrect parts.

S10. Ans. (e)
Sol. All the parts of the given sentence are grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. Therefore, they do not require any corrections. Hence, option (e) is the most viable answer choice.

S11. Ans. (d)
Sol. The paragraph is describing about the methods for the collection and dispersion of funds in case of disasters and calamities. Since the collection has been declining, the panel has suggested that cess/tax should be imposed for disaster relief fund.  The most suitable phrase to fill the given blank is “to recommend ways to mobilise funding“ as the later part of the sentence “has sought the view of the GST Council” indicates that, the funds collected through taxes should be considered for the disaster relief fund. The other alternatives are irrelevant. Hence, the option (d) is the most suitable answer choice.

S12. Ans. (a)
Sol. The paragraph is describing about the methods for the collection and dispersion of funds in case of disasters and calamities. Since the collection has been declining, the panel has suggested that cess/tax should be imposed for disaster relief fund. The most suitable phrase that fills the given blank appropriately is “whether a disaster cess/tax should be imposed nationwide or in a state-specific manner” as it fits appropriately in the context of the paragraph.  It should be noted that a panel of ministers has sought a view from GST councils regarding the collection of the disaster fund. Thus, the alternative (i) perfectly fits in the given context. The other two alternatives are irrelevant to the theme of the paragraph. Hence, the option (a) is the most suitable answer choice.

S13. Ans. (c)
Sol. The paragraph is describing about the methods for collection and dispersion of funds in case of disasters and calamities. Since the collection has been declining, the panel has suggested that cess/tax should be imposed for the collection disaster relief fund. Therefore, all the alternatives aptly fit into the given blank as all of them convey the similar meaning regarding violation of any law for such a cess or tax. As earlier in the passage it has been mentioned that a panel of ministers has sought the view of GST council. The most relatable reason for such a discussion with the GST council could be the laws for tax or cess for disaster fund. Hence, the option (c) is the most suitable answer choice.

S14. Ans. (e)
Sol. The paragraph has described about the methods for generating more funds to counter natural calamities. Since the collection has been declining, the panel has suggested that cess/tax should be imposed for disaster relief fund. The preposition “from” is required to form a grammatically viable sentence. Hence, the option (e) is the most suitable answer choice.

S15. Ans. (a)
Sol. Since the paragraph is describing about the fund collection or mobilizing of funds for disasters through tax/cess, therefore, the alternative (i) “have tended to become cesspools of inefficient spending” appropriately fits in the blank. The later part of the sentence provides hint for the given blank by quoting an example of inaccurate transfer of the funds into National clean Energy and Environment Fund. The other alternatives are irrelevant in the context of the passage. Hence, the option (a) is the most suitable answer choice.