some solved English questions, which helps u lot in Bank Clerical & Probationary Officer Examination……….. (Q. 1-15) 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. Crude oil has had a long history, and interesting one. It is probably one single natural resource that has been instrumental in producing maximum conflicts and wars during the last century. With such a track record, it is surprising that in the given environment, where in oil prices are breaking all records, and has become the biggest cause of concern across the globe, why is it that there is silence from some parts of the world`? It is intriguing especially when some have been paying a much higher price on fuel, as compared to their poorer counterparts. It is surprising, more so, when one realizes that the number of oil producing nations is only a handful as compared to the number of oil consuming nations. While a proactive action from the mighty and powerful can bring in a huge respite for the world, why is it that they choose to be silent ? Also, keeping in mind the fact that a few nations”both powerful and weak have some of the largest unused oil reserves,their silence and lack of any serious action look all the more aberrant. Looking at the manner things are shaping up, it just cannot be ruled out that possibly these nations have a definite interest in the increasing prices of oil. The question then is what could their underlying interest be ? In all probability, what we are seeing right now is just a precursor to the larger picture, well laid out by them may be for the good. With rising prices, the OPEC might be delighted right now, but perhaps they are unable to see what is going to hit them. For this unprecedented rise in oil is creating a most demanding environment for alternative fuels. As and when the reserves deplete and demand really grows, more than anyone else, it is OPEC that would be badly hit, much to the glee of some nations having unused reserves which have the most to gain by using blackmailing tactics. Eventually, the countries at the receiving end would be forced to create an enabling environment for alternative energy. This trend is already visible, with India showing the way with its nuclear deal and other countries dangling the carrot of complete conversion to natural gas towards other countries in order to boost their own business. By doing so they are creating a tactical pressure on countries. As they know that the further the oil prices get pushed, the more the globe would become attracted and ready for alternative and non-conventional fuel. Moreover, for many of the countries, it might become more expensive to invest in newer technologies to conform to the emission norms than to shift to alternative sources, making the market even more attractive. And it is then that the organizations which have already invested billions of dollars in alternate fuels would mop up the global energy market completely. The second possible reason why some nations of the world are not too enthusiastic to mitigate the price of oil is because the rising oil price is perhaps one of the major deterrents to growth of other countries. Perhaps they were hand in glove in the mechanism to raise the oil price and knowing well that this would make these nations feel the pinch. And now, the rising oil prices have put these nations in a fix. As the pressure of inflationary tendencies increases these countries cannot afford either to sit back and remain entrapped in the larger conspiracy. No wonder then that these are frantically looking around the globe ” especially Africa ” for newer reserves ! As it is said, oil has a long history and the legacy continues. 1. What, according to the passage, is the step that the nations are likely to take with an intolerable rise in oil prices ? (A) Shift to alternate forms of energy (B) Come to a state of war with other nations (C) Put tactical pressure on countries having oil reserves (D) Formulate more stringent emission norms and apply these across the globe (E) None of these Ans : (A) 2. Why is the author surprised with the stance which various nations have taken pertaining to the current global oil crisis ? (A) The stance is leading to war among the nations for control over oil fields (B) Powerful nations have been selling oil at a very inflated rate to under developed nations (C) Many nations have shifted to alternative forms of energy boycotting the use of oil due to inflated prices (D) Even though oil has been a matter of conflict among the nations earlier, many nations have a kept a silence on the current crisis (E) None of these Ans : (D) 3. Which nations does the author refer to in the phrase ‘these nations have a definite interest in the increasing prices of oil’ ? (A) The mighty and powerful nations (B) Nations having unused oil reserves (C) Nations which have exhausted their oil reserves (D) The nations which have shifted to non-conventional fuels (E) None of these Ans : (A) 4. Which of the following is not true in context of the passage ? (A) Some nations have kept a silence upon the rising oil price in order to inhibit the growth of other nations (B) It is more cost effective to shift to alternative forms of energy than to invest in technology for conforming to the emission norms (C) Some nations have unused oil reserves which would earn these nations heavy profits once the oil reserves elsewhere deplete (D) India has had a nuclear deal for its energy needs (E) All are true Ans : (E) 5. What does the author mean by ‘dangling the carrot’ in the passage ? (A) Some countries are stringently opposing the conversion to alternative forms of fuel (B) Some countries have been luring other countries to change over to alternate fuels in order to boost their own business (C) Some countries are making the effort to save environment by using natural gas instead of oil as a fuel (D) Both (A) and (B) (E) None of these Ans : (B) 6. Which of the following is intended in the given passage ? (A) To highlight the plight of OPEC with rising fuel prices (B) To urge to the government to shift from oil to natural gas since it is more environment friendly (C) To highlight the vested interest of some nations in maintaining the indifference to rising oil prices (D) To urge to save the environment by conforming to the emission norms and using alternate energy sources (E) None of these Ans : (C) 7. Why, according to the author, OPEC though delighted currently, would be in difficult situation later ? (A) All the oil reserves on the earth will soon be exhausted (B) Powerful nations will try and dominate OPEC later on (C) As the oil reserves which are being used currently deplete in the time to come, nations having unused oil reserves would arm-twist OPEC (D) Nations will lose faith in OPEC owing to very high fuel prices (E) None of these Ans : (C) 8. What, according to the author, makes the market of alternative sources very attractive ? (A) Many countries have already made a substantial profit in the industry of alternative fuel (B) Such measures do not cause harm to the environment (C) Only a few countries of the world will have the access to alternative forms of fuel (D) The use of alternative sources has been forced upon certain countries by powerful countries (E) None of these Ans : (D) 9. Which of the following can be the most appropriate title for the given passage ? (A) Reasons behind silence on increase in oil prices (B) Nuclear power as an alternative source of energy (C) The monopoly of oil reserves by powerful countries (D) The repercussion of shifting to alternative forms of energy (E) Oil reserves as deterrent of growth of the nations Ans : (A) (Q. 10-12) Choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage. 10. INSTRUMENTAL (A) Non-vocal (B) Reasonable (C) Creditable (D) Responsible (E) Liable Ans : (D) 11. ABERRANT (A) Curious (B) Abnormal (C) Spoilt (D) Inferior (E) Nonfunctional Ans : (B) 12. PUSHED (A) Dominated (B) Pressed (C) Diverted (D) Thrown (E) Increased Ans : (E) (Q. 13-15) Choose the word / phrase which is MOST OPPOSITE in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage. 13. PROACTIVE (A) Quick (B) Over powered (C) Dormant (D) Delicate (E) Brittle Ans : (C) 14. GLEE (A) Disappointment (B) Dishonour (C) Appreciation (D) Disillusion (E) Defeat Ans : (A) 15. MITIGATE (A) Fright (B) Decline (C) Degeneration (D) Worsen (E) Deprivation Ans : (D) (Q. 16-25) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence, the letter of that part will be the answer. If there is no error, mark (E) as the answer. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any) 16. The merchant counted (A) / the number of pearls (B) / to make sure that (C) / none of them were missing. (D) No error (E) Ans : (D) 17. When deep sea diving, (A) / one should always take care (B) / that oxygen cylinder is (C) / tied to the back tightly. (D) No error (E) Ans : (A) 18. As the salary (A) / did not match (B) / his expectations, he did not (C) / accept the job. (D) No error (E) Ans : (B) 19. The reason behind his success (A) / in the recent past (B) / is due to hard-work (C) / and presence of mind. (D) No error (E) Ans : (C) 20. No sooner did the students (A) / seen the principal approach (B) / than they ran (C) / from the playground. (D) No error (E) Ans : (B) 21. My elder sister and I am (A) / interested in painting (B) / and therefore have joined (C) / the coaching classes. (D) No error (E) Ans : (A) 22. Only after a lot of persuasion, (A) / did the illiterate villager allow (B) / himself’s girl child (C) / to study in the school. (D) No error (E) Ans : (C) 23. The need for alternate (A) / sources of energy are (B) / essential to conserve (C) / the environment. (D) No error (E) Ans : (B) 24. I have being working (A) / in that organization for five years (B) / but now I work (C) / for a different company. (D) No error (E) Ans : (A) 2011 25. There is no argument against (A) / the fact that (B) / humans are the most intelligent (C) / of all other species. (D) No error (E) Ans : (E) (Q. 26-30) 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 and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer. 26. We have accepted over two billion dollars from them yet it is been used to build hospital in the area— (A) that is yet to use (B) although it has been used (C) not yet being used (D) which will be used (E) No correction required Ans : (C) 27. People have respond in favour the government’s efforts to resolve the budget crisis— (A) favourably responded (B) response in favour of (C) responded favourably to (D) been responding favourably (E) No correction required Ans : (C) 28. Striking this deal will enable the company to expand its operations in Europe— (A) strike this deal that (B) to strike off this deal (C) by striking this deal to (D) this deal was struck which (E) No correction required Ans : (E) 29. We admire they are taking this step despite the numerous risks involved— (A) them to take (B) them for taking (C) that they have taken over (D) how their taking of (E) No correction required Ans : (B) 30. The management has been left with no option else to change the branch timings to avoid losing business. (A) but to change (B) except the change of (C) unless it changes with (D) other than the changing (E) No correction required Ans : (A) (Q. 31-35) Rearrange the following sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) to make a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions which follow (1) For instance, if we measure the room temperature continuously and plot its graph with time on X-axis and temperature on the Y-axis,we get a continuous waveform, which is an analog signal. Analog is always continuous. (2) The absence or presence of something can be used to plot a digital signal. (3) An analog signal is a continuously varying signal, similar to a sinusoidal waveform. (4) Any signal can be classified into one of the two types : analog and digital. (5) In contrast, a digital signal takes the form of pulses,where we have something or nothing. 31. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 Ans : (D) 32. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 Ans : (B) 33. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 Ans : (E) 34. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 Ans : (A) 350. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5 Ans : (C) (Q. 36-40) Each question below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. 36. One of the TV cameramen was …………. in the leg by a bullet when he was ……………. in the middle of a gun fight between two gangs. (A) hurt, entered (B) shot, caught (C) injured, came (D) stabbed, trapped (E) beaten, engulfed Ans : (B) 37. Although the fire was very small everyone ………….. and rushed out of the cinema hall …………….. complete chaos. (A) shouted, leading (B) died, producing (C) injured, resulting (D) scared, making (E) panicked, causing Ans : (E) 38. The ……………. of pesticides and fertilizers while growing the vegetables and fruits is one of the greatest ……………… to the health these days. (A) production, dangers (B) consumption, problem (C) overuse, threats (D) application, rewards (E) amount, injury Ans : (C) 39. The group’s mission is to ……………. peace between the nations and help different people ……….. each other better. (A) maintain, understand (B) remain, address (C) keep, interact (D) advise, find (E) communicate, friendly Ans : (A) 40. History ……………….. the Kings and influential leaders whereas the real battle was …………… by the soldiers who remain little known and celebrated in the texts. (A) remembers, played (B) highlights, underwent (C) biased, lead (D) glorifies, fought (E) writes, done Ans : (D) (Q. 41-50) 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. A poor man was once traveling through the desert. Feeling thirsty and tired, he began to …(41)… for water. At last finding a stream, he …(42)… to his knees and drank the water which …(43)… very sweet. He filled up his bottle …(44)… continued on. After several days journey, he …(45)… the palace and got an opportunity to …(46)… the King. As a mark of …(47)… he presented the King with the bottle …(48)… water. The King tasted the water, and …(49)… rewarded the man. All the courtiers …(50)… to taste the water but the King refused. When the man had left overjoyed, the king explained why he had acted so strangely. “After such a long journey, the water was foul tasting. I could not risk anyone showing, his disgust for a gift which was so sincerely given! For this reason alone I reserved the tasting of the water for myself.” 41. (A) desire (B) pursue (C) need (D) obtain (E) search Ans : (E) 42. (A) fell (B) drop (C) jumped (D) leaped (E) sat Ans : (D) 43. (A) looked (B) tasted (C) flavour (D) became (E) sample Ans : (B) 44. (A) before (B) soon (C) and (D) that (E) however Ans : (C) 45. (A) came (B) reached (C) built (D) seen (E) arrived Ans : (B) 46. (A) meet (B) receive (C) homage (D) acquaint (E) welcome Ans : (A) 47. (A) rebuke (B) regards (C) regret (D) respect (E) reverend Ans : (D) 48. (A) had (B) of (C) filled (D) contained (E) full Ans : (B) 49. (A) foolishly (B) hasty (C) similarly (D) selfishly (E) generously Ans : (E) 50. (A) began (B) hoping (C) begged (D) anxious (E) wish Ans : (C)