English Questions For IBPS RRB PO Exam 2017

Directions (1-5): In each of the given sentences select the sentence which would either follow or precede the given sentence in grammatically and conceptually appropriate manner. The instruction is given at the end of every statement.

Q1. Unfortunately, however, these slum dwellers are looked upon by the society as an appendix causing ills in the urban society.
Which of the following sentences would immediately precede the above sentence?

(a) Health officials have been warning the government against the transmission of contagious diseases from the slum areas to other parts of the city
(b) Slum dwellers not only play a significant role in urban economy but also provide cheap labor for everyday work of the cities
(c) A recent report suggested that 34 percent of government land is illegally occupied by the slum dwellers
(d) The slum dwellers live in subhuman, unhygienic conditions in their tiny shanties and are very often hubs for criminal activities
(e) None of these

Q2. However, since the beginning of the nineties, free market forces have been allowed to play for ensuring all round development in Indian markets as well. Which of the following sentences would immediately precede the above sentence?
(a) Entry of various market forces increased the competition faced by the indigenous organizations manifold
(b) The severe shortage of newest technology and products in the late 1980s ended with the entry of foreign players in the Indian market
(c) A major roadblock faced by the foreign investors was the poor infrastructural facilities which were however overtaken by the prospects seen in the huge market
(d) India had been following a very selective and conservative economic policy during the late 1980s
(e) None of these

Q3. That was mainly because only two percent of the total farmers could actually comprehend the lengthy procedures to obtain the loan and be benefited from it.
Which of the following sentences would immediately precede the above sentence?
(a) Many moneylenders have been making the most out of this situation and providing loans to the rest of the farmers at inflated prices
(b) There is thus an urgent need to make the schemes and policy as simple and farmer friendly as possible
(c) A new loan scheme started by the government a couple of months ago proved to be a huge failure and utterly  unpopular among the farmers
(d) This situation can be improved by providing mediators to carry out and follow-up of the length official procedure for the farmers
(e) None of these

Q4. The foreign embassy has put forward a demand to the government that prosecution may be carried out on a foreign land and not in the country to which the terrorists belong.
Which of the following sentences would immediately follow the above sentence?
(a) Army arrested the terrorists responsible for kidnapping four foreign tourists after a daylong operation
(b) The foreign ministry has offered all possible help to the government for hunting down the terrorists involved in it.
(c) Government has politely declined the request to hand over the arrested terrorists for prosecution outside the country
(d) The arrested terrorists were sentenced to life imprisonment after being prosecuted by a panel of international judges
(e) None of these

Q5. This is because most of the institutes for higher learning lack the basic infrastructure, trained staff, and equipment necessary for the physically challenged.
Which of the following sentences would immediately precede the above sentence?
(a) Many physically challenged people have been performing as well as other students perform in their studies.
(b) The percent of illiterate, physically challenged people in rural areas is considerably more than that in the urban areas
(c) According to a recent survey, only two out of nearly 200 universities in India have adequate number of books in Braille
(d) Although government has been making many provisions to improve higher education in India, no attention has been paid to the education of the physically challenged students
(e) None of these

Directions (6-15): Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

PASSAGE – I Despite the economic crunch worldwide that saw pulverization of some of the largest banking and finance giants, Indian banking houses have managed to show positive growth this quarter. Some of India’s leading national banks have posted a net profit rise of more than 40% over the last quarter amid global turmoil. This would come as a big shot in the arm for the investors and consumers of these banks even though apprehension is mounting on other banking and broking firms worldwide. One of the main reasons behind the success of these banks this quarter would be their direct banking by the Government India. People take solace in their investments in public sector watching the bailout packages being cashed out by governments all over the world to save big business houses.

PASSAGE – II Other private banks in India have also reported a substantial net profit over the last quarter. Given the international and domestic scenario, one cannot put this down as a mundane achievement. While others are on a cost cutting spree and firing employees, Indian Companies are actually working on boosting staffing in banking and broking sectors. This can be seen as a big boon in the days to come when the current recession eases and the economy gradually comes back on to the fast track. The finance minister has assured Indian public about the sound health of all Indian banks. This could also be evident from the fact that there have been no mergers and takeovers in Indian Banking sector in a contrast to world scenario where finance houses are looking for mergers to cut costs on operations. We definitely are not looking to thrive; rather we are looking for growth, It is just that the pace of growth is a little slow now as compared to a year or two before. These are hard times of test the hard. The weak in business and career will be weeded out and it is sometimes very beneficial for business on the long run.

Q6. What, according to the author, is the reason for the success for Indian national banks in this quarter?
(a) Indian national banks do not have any commitments in troubled foreign markets.
(b) These banks can never face the financial crisis because of their sheer size.
(c) These banks are ready to give loans at a very low rate of interest.
(d) The public is ready to invest in these banks because of the knowledge that these banks get strong support from the Government.
(e) None of these

Q7. What does the phrase ‘shot in the arm’ as used in the passage mean?
(a) Shock
(b) Fear
(c) Encouragement
(d) Anxiety
(e) None of these

Q8. How, according to the author, is the current recession beneficial?
(a) Worldwide, companies have realized that India is a strong power to reckon with
(b) India is surging ahead of the other companies throughout the world
(c) After the recession is over international companies will turn to India for investments.
(d) Recession is bringing down the prices of essential commodities
(e) None of these

Q9. What, according to the author, will be a big boon in the days to come?
(a) The economy coming back on the fast track
(b) The slowing down of the economy
(c) Increased hiring in Indian financial sector in times of economic slowdown
(d) The cost cutting carried out by all the companies
(e) None of these

Q10. Which of the following statements is definitely true in the context of the passage?
(A) India has not been affected by the economic slowdown.
(B) Indian Banks are showing growth in this quarter despite the recession.
(C) While banking industry in the West was severely affected by the recession in the past, it is now gradually recovering and showing a positive growth.
(a) Only (A)
(b) Only (B)
(c) Only (C)
(d) Only (A) and (B)
(e) Only (B) and (C)

Q11. Which of the following strengthens the finance minister’s statement about the sound health of Indian Banks with respect to the passage?
(A) There have been no acquisitions and mergers of Indian Banks.
(B) The Indian Banks are recording a positive growth.
(C) Layoffs have been observed worldwide.
(a) Only (A) and (B)
(b) Only (A) and (C)
(c) Only (A)
(d) Only (B)
(e) All (A), (B) and (C)

Directions (12-13): Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

Q12. TURMOIL
(a) danger
(b) shock
(c) sadness
(d) fear
(e) chaos

Q13. PULVERIZATION
(a) polarisation
(b) mashing
(c) debasement
(d) fall
(e) crushing

Directions (14-15): Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

Q14. THRIVE
(a) succeed
(b) deteriorate
(c) worry
(d) tremble
(e) strive

Q15. MUNDANE
(a) extraordinary
(b) regular
(c) severe
(d) visionary
(e) routine

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