English Quizzes, for SBI/IBPS PO Mains 2021

Directions (1-5): In the following questions a sentence is given, some parts of the sentence are given in bold which may have grammatical or spelling error or they may be contextually incorrect. Two columns (A) and (B) are given, column (A) consists of bold parts of the sentence and column (B) consists of the appropriate replacement for the bold parts. Match the correct replacements. If the sentence is correct mark no error as your answer.

Directions (6-10): In each of the following questions, a paragraph is given with three blanks and these blanks have to be filled with the same word. You are provided with four options which may or may not fill the given blanks. Choose the option which can fill all three blanks. If none of the option is suitable then choose option (e) ‘None of these’ as your answer.

Q6. The ASEAN’s _________________ is aimed at placating China by not allowing it to align with the U.S.’s vision for the region completely. India has welcomed the ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific as it sees “important elements of convergence” with its own _________________ towards the region. But there was soon a realisation that such an/a _________________might allow others to shape the regional architecture and marginalise the ASEAN itself.
(a) Dregs
(b) Approach
(c) Strait
(d) Abject
(e) None of these

Q7. The liquidator filed proceedings against the Company’s directors, Christopher and Andrew Thaler, alleging that the debts owing to the ATO and Ausgrid were incurred while the Company was _________________. The Court ultimately found that the liquidator had made out the _______________trading claim and questioned whether any liability for _________________ trading should be apportioned between the two directors to reflect their different periods of directorship.

(a) Insolvent
(b) Fawning
(c) Aegis
(d) Doggerel
(e) None of these

Q8. Many bacterial species have been found to exist in a/an _________________but non-culturable state. Jeanne Moldenhauer discusses this phenomenon and makes suggestions as to why we don’t often see an increase in _________________cells when using several methods. Moldenhauer discussed some changes in how clinical microbiologists are evaluating samples for _________________ cultures.

(a) Venal
(b) Opulent
(c) Chortle
(d) Viable
(e) None of these

Q9. Councillors decided to _________________a controversial mill extension after they were unsure about the effect it would have on close neighbours. Amid criticism of inaccuracy in drawings accompanying the application, councillors voted to _________________the plans pending clarification about some issues. A bid by Coun David Kirton (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) to approve the application was defeated and Coun Faisal Shoukat’s proposal to _________________the application was supported.

(a) Platitude
(b) Defer
(c) Reticent
(d) Buoyant
(e) None of these

Q10. “Today is just a spill over of what we saw on Friday after _________________US jobs numbers. Despite the _________________numbers, market is expecting rate cut just not as aggressive it would be but $1,400 is pretty _________________support level for gold,” said Howie Lee, an economist at OCBC Bank.

(a) Eloquent
(b) Precarious
(c) Strong
(d) Impound
(e) None of these

Solutions

S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. Here, phrases (A) and (C) are grammatically correct whereas improvement is required in (B). Here, there is an error of preposition where “insistence of” will be replaced by “insistence on”. Hence, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.

S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. Here, the error lies in both the (B) and (C) part of the paragraph and thus requires improvement. Here, “constitute” will be replaced by “constituted” as the sentence is in past tense. Also, “bedewelling” will be replaced by “bedevelling”, due to spelling error. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice.

S3. Ans. (e)
Sol. All the highlighted phrases are grammatically and contextually correct and therefore do not require any improvement. Hence, option (e) is the most suitable answer choice.

S4. Ans. (c)
Sol. The phrases given in (A) and (C) are grammatically incorrect and therefore require changes. As from the former part of the statement, we can infer that the paragraph is in present tense, therefore, we will replace “impacted” with “impact. Hence, A-D will be the correct replacement. Also, in the concluding lines, “firms” which is a noun will not be qualified by a noun [India] and will instead be qualified by an adjective [Indian]. Therefore, C-F is also the correct replacement. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice.

S5. Ans. (d)
Sol. In the highlighted phrases, (B) and (C) are incorrect and therefore need replacements. In the statement (B), “nonchalant” which means “showing or having a relaxed manner
free from concern or excitement” will be replaced by “notified” which means “give notice of or report (something) formally or officially.” Also, in statement (C), “dispiriting” will be replaced by “encouraging” as we can infer that the bill was passed to promote investments. Hence, option (d) is the most suitable answer choice.

S6. Ans. (b)
Sol. The word that fits in the given blanks correctly is “Approach”. Using “Approach” makes the paragraph contextually meaningful and grammatically correct.
Dregs means a small residue
Strait means a difficult situation, especially because of financial problems
Abject means showing lack of self-respect

S7. Ans. (a)
Sol. Reading the paragraph one can infer that “Insolvent” fits in the given blanks. Hence, option (a) is correct answer choice.
Fawning means praise someone too much
Aegis means with the protection or support of someone or something, especially an organization
Doggerel means poetry that is silly or badly written

S8. Ans. (d)
Sol. “Viable” means “capable of working successfully; feasible”. In terms of biology “Viable” means “capable of surviving or living successfully, especially under particular environmental conditions.” Hence, option (d) is the correct answer choice.
Venal: quality of being open to bribery or overly motivated by money
Chortle: to chuckle, laugh merrily, often in a breathy, muffled way
Opulent: ostentatiously costly and luxurious

S9. Ans. (b)
Sol. “Defer” means “put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone”. The Councillors decided to defer a controversial mill extension. Hence, option (b) is correct answer choice.
Platitude: a statement that has been repeated so often that it is meaningless
reticent: disinclined to talk, not revealing one’s thought
buoyant: cheerful and optimistic.

S10. Ans. (c)
Sol. The word “strong” is correct choice. All other words don’t go with the theme of the given passage.
Eloquent: fluent in speaking or writing.
Precarious: in a way that is not securely in position and is likely to fall or collapse
Impound: seize and take legal custody of (something, especially a vehicle, goods, or