IBPS RRB PO/Clerk Mains English Quiz: 5th October 2019

IBPS RRB PO/Clerk Mains English Quiz

Directions (1-5): In the following passage against each number four words are suggested in bold which may or may not fit into the sentence contextually. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five options are given. Find out the most appropriate alternative reflecting the word which doesn’t fit into the blank appropriately and thus fail to give a contextual meaning to the paragraph. If no such error is there mark (e) i.e. “all are correct” as your answer choice.

(1) The decision by the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee to raise benchmark interest rates again by 25 basis points is a reckless one. This is the second successive rate increase in as many months, a response to mounting uncertainties on the inflation front. (2) Continuing volatility in crude oil prices, the recent softening regarding, and its vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions is one of the main risks to the inflation outlook. (3) Among the RBI’s other concerns are volatile global financial markets, possibilities of fiscal stabilization at the Central and State levels, the likely impact of the increase in the minimum support price for kharif crops, and the staggered impact of upward revisions to house rent allowance paid by State governments. (4) Rainfall has so far been 6% below the long-period average and deficient over a wider area than last year — more than a fifth of the country’s 36 sub-divisions have reported shortfalls. This has resulted in a drop in the total sown area under kharif. (5) The monetary authority has generated the need to keep a close watch on rain over the remainder of the season, given the risks regional imbalances may pose to paddy output and CPI inflation. The June round of the RBI’s own survey of household inflation expectations reveals that families see prices hardening even further over both the three- and 12-month horizons.

Q1.
(a) benchmark
(b) reckless
(c) mounting
(d) front
(e) no error

S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. The paragraph is describing about the issues undertaken by the RBI and formulation of policies to benefit the society in whole. Among the given highlighted words, ‘reckless’ is incorrectly used as the later part of the sentence has mentioned about the policies to fight inflation. Thus, the most suitable word in place of reckless should be “prudent” as it means acting with or showing care and thought for the future. All the other words are completely adhering to the theme of the paragraph. Hence, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.
Benchmark means a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared.
Mounting means grow larger or more numerous.

Q2.
(a) volatility
(b) regarding
(c) vulnerability
(d) disruptions
(e) no error

S2. Ans. (b)
Sol. Among the highlighted words, ‘regarding’ does not fit into the theme of the paragraph. Also, the sentence mentions about the “volatility” as well as “recent softening” of crude oil prices. Thus, the most appropriate that would justify replacing “regarding” is “notwithstanding” as it means “in spite of”. All the other words are grammatically as well as contextually correct. Therefore, option (b) becomes the most suitable answer choice.
Volatility means liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
Vulnerability means the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
Disruptions means disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.

Q3.
(a) volatile
(b) stabilization
(c) staggered
(d) revisions
(e) no error

S3. Ans. (b)
Sol. The inaccurate word among the highlighted words is “stabilization”. It is to be noted that the sentence of the paragraph is illustrating about the concerns or issues to be considered by RBI. Therefore, a word similar meaning of “slippage” should be used in place of “stabilization” as “Slippage” means ‘the action or process of slipping or subsiding’. All the other words are grammatically and contextually correct. Hence, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.
Staggered means walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
Revisions means the action of revising.

Q4.
(a) deficient
(b) shortfalls
(c) resulted
(d) sown
(e) no error

S4. Ans. (e)
Sol. The paragraph is describing about the issues undertaken by the RBI and formulation of policies to benefit the society in whole. All the given words are correct with reference to the theme of the paragraph. Hence, option (e) becomes the most suitable answer choice.
Deficient means not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient.
Sown means plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth.

Q5.
(a) generated
(b) remainder
(c) imbalances
(d) hardening
(e) no error

S5. Ans. (a)
Sol. The previous sentence has mentioned about the shortfalls of rain in many parts of the country. Due to shortfalls, the authority has marked to pay attention towards the rain for the remaining season. Thus, to make the next sentence coherent to the paragraph, replace the word “generated” by “flagged” or a word similar in meaning. “flagged” means mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way. However, all the other words are precisely in context of the paragraph. Hence, option (a) is the most suitable answer choice.
Imbalances means lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things.
Hardening means make or become more severe and less sympathetic.

Directions (6-10): Pick out the words opposite or nearly so in the meaning of the given words.

Q6.
CHURLISH
(a) Boorish
(b) Coarse
(c) Courteous
(d) Niggardly
(e) Modest

S6. Ans.(c)
Sol. courteous is an antonym of Churlish.
Churlish means rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
Courteous means polite, respectful, or considerate in manner.

Q7.
INGENUITY
(a) articulate
(b) achievement
(c) creativity
(d) Glossy
(e) abundant

S7. Ans.(c)
Sol. Creativity is a synonym of Ingenuity.
Ingenuity means the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Creativity means the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.

Q8.
FACSIMILE
(a) Reproduction
(b) Sincere
(c) Original
(d) Fact finding
(e) Engineered

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. Original is an antonym of Facsimile.
Facsimile means an exact copy, especially of written or printed material.

Q9.
Augury
(a) Beguile
(b) Omen
(c) Exhort
(d) Incite
(e) Barge

S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. Augury means a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen.

Q10.
FELICITOUS
(a) Effeminate
(b) Canine
(c) Sensuous
(d) Notorious
(e) Inappropriate

S10. Ans.(e)
Sol. Inappropriate is an antonym of felicitous.
Felicitous means well-chosen or suited to the circumstances.

Directions (11-13): In each question, the word at the top of the table is used in four different ways, numbered (a) to (d). Choose the option in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE. If it is used correctly in every sentence choose option (e) as your choice.

Q11. APPRAISE
(a) The President appropriately appraised Russell and Financial Times readers that he had already signed into law the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Act.
(b) In cooperation with other professionals, social workers will appraise the individual’s needs.
(c) He coolly appraised the situation, deciding which person would be most likely to succeed.
(d) This prompted many employers to appraise their selection and recruitment policies
(e) All are correct.

S11. Ans.(a)
Sol. Option (a) is incorrect as apprised should be used here.
Appraise means to ascertain the value of and does not mean to apprise or to inform. Correct: “I appraised the jewels.” / “I apprised him of the situation.”

Q12. CREDULOUS
(a) Because my brother is a credulous consumer, he is a salesperson’s dream.
(b) Even though there was very little evidence, the credulous jury decided the defendant was guilty.
(c) Reference credulous sources to strengthen your argument.
(d) Because the credulous public wanted to believe the killer was off the streets, they never questioned the arrest of an innocent man.
(e) All are correct.

S12. Ans.(c)
Sol. Option (c) is incorrect as credible should be used in place of credulous.
Credible means believable and does not mean credulous or gullible. Correct: “His sales pitch was not credible.” / “The con man took advantage of credulous people.”

Q13. FLAUNT
(a) While many people love to flaunt their possessions, I prefer people that keep a low profile.
(b) The orchestra decided to flaunt convention/tradition, and wear their everyday clothes for the concert.
(c) Donald Trump loves to flaunt his wealth and grandiose, whenever he has the chance.
(d) Flavio was flaunting his tan in a pair of white trunks.
(e) All are correct.

S13. Ans.(b)
Sol. In option (b) the use of flaunt is incorrect and must be replaced with flout.
Flaunt means to show off and does not mean to flout. Correct: “She flaunted her abs.” / “She flouted the rules.”

Directions (14-15): Rearrange the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions that follow.(A)Indian policymakers need to step on the reforms pedal.
(B)The past few years have seen important changes such as macroeconomic stability, a new monetary policy framework, the goods and services tax, and the bankruptcy law.
(C)The goal of inclusive growth in terms of job creation in the organized sector remains elusive.
(D)Economic history tells us that only a handful of countries have been able to sustain 8%-plus growth over two decades.
(E)India needs to join this exclusive club—since the window of opportunity will slowly close as the labour force peaks and automation begins to destroy jobs on a bigger scale.

Q14. If “Structured thinking on India’s economic transformation is still needed.” is the LAST sentence of the paragraph that can be formed after rearranging the other sentences in sequence to form a coherent paragraph, which one of the above sentences may not be the part of the coherent paragraph?
(a)B
(b)D
(c)A
(d)C
(e)None

S14. Ans. (e)
Sol. If “Structured thinking on India’s economic transformation is still needed.” is the last sentence of the paragraph, the above sentences in the sequence of DEABC form a coherent paragraph. This implies that all the given sentences belong to the coherent paragraph so formed. The paragraph talks about the economic challenge that India needs to work upon to obtain the economic transformation. Hence option (e) is the correct choice.

Q15. If “Structured thinking on India’s economic transformation is still needed.” is the last sentence of the paragraph that can be formed after rearranging the other sentences in sequence to form a coherent paragraph, which of the above statements is the THIRD sentence of the coherent paragraph?
(a)D
(b)A
(c)B
(d)E
(e)C

S15. Ans. (b)
Sol. If “Structured thinking on India’s economic transformation is still needed.” is the last sentence of the paragraph, the above sentences in the sequence of DEABC form a coherent paragraph. The sentence (D) forms the opening statement as it provides the fact related to economic history. The sentence (E) should follow (D) which can be verified by the phrase, “India needs to join this exclusive club” of the sentence (E). Sentences (B) and (C) form a combination.  Thus, the statement (A) should be the THIRD sentence of the coherent paragraph so formed. Hence option (b) is the correct choice.

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