English Language Quiz For IBPS Clerk Mains: 15th January 2019 |

English Language Quiz For IBPS Clerk Mains

IBPS Clerk Mains exam is round the corner. Thus, the English Language can be an impetus for your success by helping you save crucial time and score good points in lesser time and effort. So, instead of boiling the ocean, try building up a strong vocabulary, an effective knowledge of grammar, and efficient comprehension skills so as to be on the ball to face this particular section. Here is a quiz on English Language being provided by Adda247 to let you practice the best of latest pattern English Questions for IBPS Clerk Mains Exam. Also, few questions in the Quiz may be based on short Reading Comprehensions based on IBPS PO Mains pattern so as to make you aware of the latest exam pattern.

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Directions (1-7):Read the following passage and answer the following questions accordingly. Some of the words are given in bold to answer the questions given below in the passage.

Paragraph 1: Japan has announced that for the first time since World War II it is seeking aircraft carriers as part of a massive 5-year $242-billion military overhaul, primarily to counter what it perceives as a growing China threat, which is about $17.8 billion more than in an earlier defense budget. Japan is now ahead of the UK as the biggest non-US buyer of the stealth fighter F-35 jets produced by Lockheed Martin. Defense officials unveiled plans to refit its Izumo-class warships to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets, an advanced stealth fighter it hopes to purchase over forty of within the next decade, which have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. The stealth fighters will be deployable aboard two of Japan's largest ships, the JS Izumo and JS Kaga, which as flat-top ships more than 800 feet long and displacing 27,000 tons, can accommodate multiple fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The ambitious defense overhaul, called the National Defense Program Guideline, was approved by Japan's parliament on Tuesday and cited the “severity and uncertainty” of challenges with regional great power China, which are “increasing with extremely high speed.”

Paragraph 2: The approved defense guideline further emphasized close US-Japanese strategic relations, which it described as “more important than ever for our national security,” and authorized Japan to actively support American military operations in the region. Japanese law was recently updated to allow its military to give logistical aid to US forces, and is now expanded to protecting US vessels and aircraft. Readiness against the advancing technical capabilities of China were also noted in the defense guideline, which cited “Rapid expansion of new areas, such as space, cyber and electromagnetic waves, is fundamentally changing the ideal state of national security, which had placed importance on dealing with physical areas such as land, sea and air.”

Paragraph 3: In media statements, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga cited regional threats outlining the plan: "Under the drastically changing security environment around Japan, the government will take all possible measures to protect the lives and assets of Japanese people." Defense officials also noted frequent foreign military activity in the East China Sea and western Pacific Ocean. And just this week Russia announced that it is continuing build-up on a series of islands claimed by Japan, which Moscow calls the Kuril Islands. Currently there are only two Japanese airbases which can be used by conventional fighter jets: Naha Air Base and the Maritime Self-Defense Force base on Iwo Jima. This has left Japanese military planners feeling unprepared as waters in the region grow hotter, especially in light of increased US-China confrontations and the potential for a wider confrontation.

Paragraph 4: Ships and fighter jets are set to “increase operational flexibility” for the military in terms of protecting remote Japanese islands, specifically in the southern waters. “We have a very, very small [military] footprint” in the area between Okinawa and Taiwan, the official said. Japan has denied that it's seeking “full-fledged aircraft carriers,” noting instead, “We are not creating carrier air wings or carrier air squadrons” like the US Navy, but that its future F-35B squadron would be primarily stationed on land. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has lately signaled Japan's readiness to abandon its 20th pacifism which was part of the terms of its defeat after WWII, citing emerging “threats” from China and North Korea. This has new orientation has been manifest in the controversial procurement and testing of Tomahawk cruise missiles purchased from the US, which has angered nearby powers Russia and China.

Q1. “The world's major powers are developing more advanced combat jets as they seek to keep or gain an edge in the skies over potential adversaries.” Which is the US based fighter jet mentioned in the passage?

Eurofighter Typhoon

Dassault Rafale

Sukhoi T-50

Lockheed Martin F-35

Lockheed Martin F-22

Solution:

Option (d) is the most appropriate choice as the answer of the question. The answer can be inferred directly from the first paragraph of the passage where it is given that Japan is now ahead of the UK as the biggest non-US buyer of the stealth fighter F-35 jets produced by Lockheed Martin. Thus F-35 jets are produced by Lockheed Martin and these are the only stealth fighter jets mentioned in the passage.

Q2. What forte of a specific US designed fighter jet is mentioned in the passage? Answer only in reference to the passage.

Wide range of smart and discrete sensors.

Mission ready with low operating costs.

Short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.

Omni role by design.

A fully optimized airframe.

Solution:

Option (c) is the correct option. Other options can be correct on the basis of deduction but in reference to the passage only option (c) stands out as only it is mentioned in the passage. Refer to the first paragraph , sixth line where it is given , “Defense officials unveiled plans to refit its Izumo-class warships to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets, an advanced stealth fighter it hopes to purchase over forty of within the next decade, which have short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.”

Q3. What is the threat posed on Japan with its ambitious defense overhaul?

Risks from US on the Japanese waters.

The proliferation of email-based cyber-attacks targeting specific businesses and organizations in Japan has made the threat of data leaks greater than ever.

Severity and Apprehensions of China Threat in Seeking Aircraft Carriers.

Japan's affluence and increased interest in leisure have put a different type of strain on the natural environment.

All of these.

Solution:

Option (c) is the most apt choice. This is so as whole of the paragraph is based on this theme that Japan faces the risks of the challenges from regional great power China, which are “increasing with extremely high speed.” This statement is supported by the facts given in third paragraph as well as the first paragraph where it is given, “The ambitious defense overhaul, called the National Defense Program Guideline, was approved by Japan's parliament on Tuesday and cited the “severity and uncertainty” of challenges with regional great power China, which are “increasing with extremely high speed.”

Q4. According to NDPG, why is it necessary for Japan to deal with its national security?

As Japan’s defense policies and weapons are weak in comparison to other countries.

As China is expanding in terms of areas such as space, cyber and electromagnetic waves.

Underscoring the sensitivity of the issue that South Korea is trying to attack the Japanese waters.

Because of the increasing rapid pace at which cross domain strategy is implemented.

None of these.

Solution:

Option (b) is the most suitable option to be suited as the answer for the question. Refer to the second paragraph of the passage from where the text can be quoted as, “Rapid expansion of new areas, such as space, cyber and electromagnetic waves, is fundamentally changing the ideal state of national security, which had placed importance on dealing with physical areas such as land, sea and air.”

Q5. What is some of the examples of the changing security environment observed in relevance to Japan lately?

Russia’s announcement of its building up on a series of islands claimed by Japan.

Frequent foreign military activity in the East China Sea and western Pacific Ocean.

Increased US-China confrontations.

Both (b) and (c)

All (a),(b) and (c)

Solution:

Option (e) is the correct option. All of the options can be deduced from the second last paragraph of the passage where it is given (i) “Defense officials also noted frequent foreign military activity in the East China Sea and western Pacific Ocean.”

(ii) “Russia announced that it is continuing build-up on a series of islands claimed by Japan.”

(iii) “This has left Japanese military planners feeling unprepared as waters in the region grow hotter, especially in light of increased US-China confrontations and the potential for a wider confrontation.”

Q6. Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Overhaul

Rupture

Splintering

Crumble

Revamp

Disintegration

Solution:

Option (d) is the correct option.

Overhaul means periodic maintenance on a car or machine.

Revamp means an act of improving the form, structure, or appearance of something.

Rupture means drastically alter or destroy the structure of.

Splintering means break or cause to break into small sharp fragments.

Crumble means cause (something) to break apart into small fragments.

Disintegration means the process of losing cohesion or strength.

Q7. Choose the word which is most nearly the OPPOSITE in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Manifest

Apparent

Obscure

Evident

Conspicuous

Overt

Solution:

Manifest means clear or obvious to the eye or mind.

Obscure means not discovered or known about; uncertain.

Hence it is the word which is opposite in meaning to the word given in bold.

Apparent means clearly visible or understood; obvious.

Evident means clearly seen or understood; obvious.

Conspicuous means clearly visible.

Overt means done or shown openly; plainly apparent.

Directions (8-10): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow the passage. Some words may be highlighted to help you some of the questions.

Over 56,000 kilometres of ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats could not be earmarked as ‘no-go’ zones due to State governments’ ‘insensitivity’, a parliamentary committee has said. The panel has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to constitute a committee to address the issues and grievances of local people.

The recent monsoon floods in Kerala and parts of Karnataka should serve as alarm bells for the administrations in the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which have failed to mark ESA in the Western Ghats, the Committee on Government Assurances in the Rajya Sabha has said.

The panel, which keeps track of assurances given by ministers on the floor of the Upper House, presented its latest report on Monday. The panel had examined issues regarding the categorisation of the Western Ghats as ESA as per the recommendations of two committees led by Madhav Gadgil and K. Kasturirangan

Q8. What is the imperative which is being talked about in the passage?

Administration in the states of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka learn from the recent monsoon floods in Kerala and parts of Karnataka and take appropriate steps to protect the Western Ghats.

Constituting a committee to address the issues and grievances of local people living in the Western Ghats.

Earmarking ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats as ‘no-go’ zones.

Options (b) and (c)

Options (a) and (c)

Solution:

Upon reading the passage, one understands that the passage talks about the need to protect the Western Ghats. Option (c) is correct.

Also, upon reading the second paragraph, one understands that options (a) and (c) are talking about the same thing—need to protect the Western Ghats.

Hence, option (e) is the correct answer.

Q9. Which of the following states has its area being a part of the Western Ghats?

(I) Goa

(II) Odisha

(III) Maharashtra

(IV) Kerala

(V) Chennai

(I), (III) and (IV)

(I), (III), (IV) and (V)

(I), (II), (III), (IV) and (V)

(II), (IV) and (V)

(I), (III) and (V)

Solution:

The answer to the question can be derived from the second paragraph. The second paragraph mentions the names of some states and say that the floods in Kerala and Karnataka should serve as alarm bells administrations which failed to mark ESA in the Western Ghats.

From above, it could be deduced that the states of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka do have its land forming part of the Western Ghats. The usage of ‘and’ prior to Karnataka hints that the list of states given is exhaustive, meaning no other state which is not mention has its land forming a part of the Western Ghats.

In the list, Odisha and Chennai are not mentioned but other states are mentioned. So, (II) and (V) won’t be part of the correct answer.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. Which of the following words has a meaning which is an ANTONYM of the given word ‘grievances’?

Aberrations

Venality

Grumbles

Amusement

Predilection

Solution:

Grievance [noun] means ‘a real or imagined cause for complaint, especially unfair treatment; a feeling of resentment over something believed to be wrong or unfair’.

Aberration [noun] means ‘a deviation from what is normal or expected’;

Venality [noun] means ‘the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption’;

Grumble [noun] means ‘a complaint’;

Amusement [noun] means ‘something that causes laughter or happiness’;

Predilection [noun] means ‘a strong liking’;

From above, it can be inferred that the word ‘amusement’ has a meaning which is OPPOSITE to the meaning of the word ‘grievances’.

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Directions (11-15): Select the phrase/connector (STARTERS) from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same meaning as expressed in the statement sentences.

Q11. (I)The SEBI Chief pointed out that trust was the backbone of finance.

(II) The SEBI chief said that public trust in functioning of financial markets had of late declined due to some financial reporting scandals.

(i) The SEBI Chief said pointing that trust was the backbone…….

(ii) Pointing out that trust was the backbone of finance………

(iii) The SEBI Chief pointed that public trust in functioning of financial markets………

Only (i)

Both (ii) and (iii)

Only (ii)

Only (iii)

None of the above

Solution:

Option (c) is the correct choice. Statement (ii) is the one that can join both of the statements such as follows, “Pointing out that trust was the backbone of finance, the SEBI chief said that public trust in functioning of financial markets had of late declined due to some financial reporting scandals.”

Q12. (I)There are a combination of factors, including unnecessary imports, market restrictions and oversupply in some commodities.

(II)Agricultural prices are also declining as a result of severe demand deflation in the economy, particularly the rural economy.

(i)Summing up a combination of factors, including unnecessary imports…….

(ii)In accordance with confirms a combination of factors, including unnecessary imports…..

(iii)While there are a combination of factors, including unnecessary imports ,..

Only (iii)

Both (ii) and (iii)

Both (i) and (iii)

Both (i) and (ii)

None of the above

Solution:

Option (a) is the most appropriate choice. Statement (iii) is the which will connect two sentences in a way as follows , “While there are a combination of factors, including unnecessary imports, market restrictions and oversupply in some commodities, agricultural prices are also declining as a result of severe demand deflation in the economy, particularly the rural economy.”

We can use while to talk about two longer events or activities happening at the same time. We can use either simple or continuous verb forms.

Q13. (I) Some of the deals date back as far as 2010.

(II) The deals remained active as late as 2017 and some were still in effect this year.

(i) While some of the deals date back……

(ii) Whereas some of the deals date back as far as……..

(iii) Though the deals remained active as late as 2017………

Only (ii)

Both (i) and (iii)

Both (ii) and (iii)

Both (i) and (ii)

None of the above

Solution:

Option (d) is the most appropriate choice. The sentences can be combined using both the connectors in the following way: (i)“While some of the deals date back as far as 2010 , they remained active as late as 2017 and some were still in effect this year.”

(ii) “Whereas some of the deals date back as far as 2010, they remained active as late as 2017 and some were still in effect this year.”

Q14. (I)All banks issue debit cards.

(II)The rate of issuance for some banks is higher vis-à-vis their own ATM network and its expansion.

(i)The rate of issuing debit cards for some banks……

(ii)Though all banks issue debit cards………

(iii)Despite the fact of issuance for some banks being higher………

Only (iii)

Both (i) and (iii)

Both (ii) and (iii)

Only (ii)

None of the above

Solution:

Option (d) is the most suitable choice. Both of the sentences can be combined using statement (ii) that is, “Though all banks issue debit cards, the rate of issuance for some banks is higher vis-à-vis their own ATM network and its expansion.”

Q15. (I) Digitization and Internet connectivity are the driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

(II) The initiative aims to create shared, safe global digital networks that encourage organizations to take action to create stable economies and societies.

(i)Accordingly the initiative aims to create shared, safe global digital networks………

(ii)Specifically digitization and Internet connectivity are the driving force………

(iii)Because digitization and Internet connectivity are the driving force………….

Both (i) and (ii)

Only (iii)

Both (ii) and (iii)

Only (ii)

None of the above

Solution:

Option (b) is the most appropriate choice. Only statement (iii) is the one which can help in joining two of the sentences given. The sentences can be joined in the following way: “Because digitization and Internet connectivity are the driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the initiative aims to create shared, safe global digital networks that encourage organizations to take action to create stable economies and societies.”