SBI Clerk Prelims English Questions (Day-8)
Dear students, The State Bank of India conducts a two-tier examination to recruit Clerks (Junior Associates) at regular intervals. Thus, the English Language plays a crucial role in sailing through all the stages of SBI Clerk exam. Here is a quiz on the English Language to let you practice the latest pattern English Questions for SBI Clerk 2019-20.
Directions (1-10): Which of the following phrases (I), (II), and (III) given below each sentence will fit into the blank to make the sentence grammatically correct? Choose the best option among the five given alternatives that reflect the correct use of the phrase in the context of the grammatically correct sentence.
Q1. ____________________________________________ when I was called back to the head office 100 miles away.
(I) Hardly had I arrived there
(II) Hardly I had arrived there
(III) I had arrived there
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (I) and (II) are correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The sentence can be completed using either the phrase (I) or (III). It is to be noted that f a sentence is begun with a negative word like 'hardly, scarcely, no sooner etc. the word order should be reversed (Negative word + auxiliary + subject + verb) in that clause. Moreover phrase (III) “I had arrived there” also forms a grammatically viable sentence. Hence, option (d) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q2. ____________________________________________ my birthday, but also didn’t apologise for forgetting it.
(I) she did forget not only
(II) Not only did she forget
(III) Not only she forgot
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (I) and (II) are correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The sentence can be completed using either the phrase (I) or (II). It is to be noted that to add emphasis, we can use not only at the beginning of a clause. When we do this, we invert the subject and the verb. When there is no auxiliary verb or main verb be, we use do, does, did. Therefore, only phrases (I) and (II) can be used to form a grammatically viable sentence. Hence, option ( c) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q3. The innovation of brilliant minds ____________________________________________ an amazing technology such as space flight or the internet.
(I) is what grants humanity
(II) are what grant humanity
(III) what grant humanity
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (I) and (II) are correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
Alternative (I) precisely fills the blank to form a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence. While carefully reading the sentence, it is understood that the subject of the sentence is “the innovation” which is in its singular form rather than ‘beautiful minds’. Therefore the auxiliary verb associated with the subject should also be in its singular form. Since, alternative (I) satisfies this condition, option (a) becomes the most suitable answer choice.
Q4. She handed me the exhibit, ……………………………… with her to the deposition
(I) which she brings
(II) which she had brought
(III) which she brought
Only (III) is correct
Only (II) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
Phrase (II) is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful to fill the blank in order to form an accurate sentence. The past perfect is used when two events happened in the past, with one past action having occurred even before the other past action. To form the past perfect, use had and the past participle of a verb in one part of the sentence. Hence, Option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q5. The state carries the burden of proof, meaning ____________________________________________ the suspect guilty rather than the lawyer proving him innocent.
(I) lawyer has to prove
(II) a lawyer had to proof
(III) the lawyers have to prove
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The given sentence can be filled using the phrase (III) “the lawyers have to prove”. Phrase (I) is incorrect as it requires an article before ‘lawyer’, while phrase (II) is incorrect as “proof” is a noun while “prove” is a verb. Since only phrase (III) is correct, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q6. The chef looked for ways to make his business more profitable ____________________________________________ shut the doors for good.
(I) thus he didn’t have to
(II) as he didn’t want to
(III) so that he wouldn’t have to
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
All (I) (II) (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The given blank of the sentence can be filled using either of the three phrases given as all are qualified enough to frame a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence. Hence, option (d) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q7. Scientists believe that "zombie" cells ____________________________________________ problems like osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
(I) contribute for age related
(II) contribute with age related
(III) contribute to age related
Only (I) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
All (I) (II) (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The given blank can be filled using the phrase (III). It is to be noted that the appropriate preposition with the verb contribute is “to”. Thus, all the other alternatives stand incorrect. Hence, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q8. The commercial attempted ____________________________________________ the differences between the two products.
(I) to illustrate about
(II) to illustrate
(III) to illustrate in
Only (II) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
All (I) (II) (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The given blank can be filled using the phrase (III). It is to be noted that the verb illustrate means “provide (a book, newspaper, etc.) with pictures”. It doesn’t take the preposition ‘about’ after it as the words like “discuss/ describe/ illustrate” directly takes the object after them. Thus, all the other alternatives stand incorrect. Hence, option (a) is the most suitable answer choice.
Q9. Model 3 is basically ____________________________________________, and is cooler than anything even $10,000–20,000 near it in price.
(I) quick, safe, has high tech
(II) quickest, safe, has high tech
(III) quicker, safer, has higher tech
Only (II) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (II) and (III) are correct
All (I) (II) (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
The appropriate phrase to fill the blank is phrase (III) “quicker, safer, has higher tech” as the sentence has provided a comparison between Model 3 and other models between $10,000–20,000. Thus, only in phrase (III) all the adjectives are in comparative degree form. Hence, option (b) is the most viable answer choice.
Q10. Researchers have proposed a new idea ____________________________________________ Antarctic icebergs are tinged emerald green rather than the normal blue, potentially solving a decades-long scientific mystery.
(I) that will explain why some
(II) that may explained why some
(III) that may explain why some
Only (II) is correct
Only (III) is correct
Both (I) and (III) are correct
All (I) (II) (III) are correct
None is correct
Solution:
Both the alternatives (I) and (III) are grammatically correct and contextually meaningful to fill the blank of the sentence. It is to be noted that Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) like can, will, could, shall, must, would, might, and should. After a modal verb, the root form of a verb is generally used. Therefore, option (c) is the most viable answer choice.
Directions (11-15): Each of the following questions has a paragraph from which one sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.
Q11. The SCO’s relevance for India lies in geography, economics and geopolitics. Its .................., where India has important economic and security interests.
members occupy a huge landmass adjacent to India’s extended neighbourhood
constrained by lack of overland access through Pakistan and Afghanistan/Iran
agenda to include political, economic and security cooperation
perspectives in the SCO’s initiatives on Afghanistan
Central Asian countries border Afghanistan, Pakistan and China
Solution:
Although, all the options can fit in the context of the passage, but only (a) makes the sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. Therefore, we can omit the other options.
Q12. While India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no domestic asylum law, ........................... , including the UN General Assembly.
the system should be made transparent to enable trust
there is a need to reassess India’s approach to refugee protection
are at the mercy of touts and traffickers even within their own community
it has reiterated its commitment towards the protection of refugees at various international fora
it is five years since Nargis first arrived in Delhi
Solution:
Options (a), (c) and (e) do not fit in the context of the passage as they have no reference to the the refugees protection. Although option (b) and (d), both refer to the similar theme, option(b) makes the sentence contextually incorrect. Hence, option (d) is the correct choice.
Q13. Were the court to enter into an analysis of these rival claims, by conducting something ....................... , it would be exceeding the remit of its authority, effectively causing it to shoulder dogmatic power over theology.
anathema to the tenets of a constitutional democracy
defer to an association’s leaders in matters such as these
akin to a trial on whether there exists a tradition as claimed that is essential to the practice of religion
making a meaningful difference to people’s civil rights across spectrum of caste, class, gender and religion.
subject to common community exceptions of public order
Solution:
Apart from options (a) and (c), all other options make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Also, in option (a) states about something opposed to the tenet of democracy therefore, it will be omitted. Hence, option (c) which is the correct choice which makes the sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful.
Q14. As India takes a long-term view on sustainability and energy security, it is .......................... and make their energy choices based on the nature of the fuel and not because of socio-economic constraints.
provided on the basis of household income levels and local variables
not available for biogas and PNG
important to create an environment where its citizens are aware of the options
essential not only for reducing health and environmental impacts
based on the estimation of life cycle emissions, feedstock processing, fuel processing
Solution:
Here, only option (c) can make the sentence grammatically correct. Though other options are based on similar theme, they do not fit in the context of the sentence. Hence, option (c) is the correct choice.
Q15. At a time when India’s relationships with big powers like the U.S., Russia, China and Europe are ................., the country needs to follow its traditional policy of strategic autonomy.
responding to this different behaviour by working with all our options
increasingly being complicated by their rivalries with each other
not available from other sources
capital goods or components and parts rather than finished goods
expanding, the U.S. won’t want to undercut its relationship
Solution:
Option (c) and (d) does not fit in the context of the passage, therefore can be omitted. Option (b) clearly states the relations between the mentioned countries. Hence, option (b) is the correct choice.
English Quiz For NIACL AO Mains 2024 Exa...
