Latest Pattern Reading Comprehension Based on IBPS PO Mains
IBPS has conducted the Mains Examination for the recruitment process of Probationary Officers yesterday i.e. on the 18th of November. The structure of the paper was changed from the last couple of years and hence new pattern questions were observed in almost all the sections. In this post we are providing you with new pattern of Reading Comprehension Questions which were asked in IBPS PO Mains 2018. The paper consisted of small passages based on a single topic (savings) and around 3 to 4 questions were asked from those paragraphs. Going through it will help aspirants who are appearing in upcoming Mains and other examination.
Directions (1-4)- Read the following passage and answer the questions as directed.
Paragraph 1- One of the easiest ways to establish a savings habit is to participate in your employer's 401(k) plan. Funds are withheld from each paycheck and deposited into your account. If your employer matches part of your contribution — and many do! — you will accumulate yet more. A second way to consistently save is with an automatic savings transfer program with your financial institution. You decide how much and when you want funds transferred from your checking account into a savings account. You can also use a payroll deduction plan from your employer and get the same results.
Paragraph 2- Along with how much and how often you save, what you earn on your funds will determine how fast your money grows. You cannot control what happens with interest rates or the stock market, but you can consider different types of savings vehicles that provide different returns. The simplest savings vehicle to consider is buying certificates of deposit (CDs) instead of leaving funds in a savings account. CDs usually offer higher interest rates, but they are time deposits and have ............... for early withdrawal. If you can accept not having immediate access to your funds, CDs can be an attractive savings vehicle.
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred as the theme of the passage?
Certificate of deposits is the best way to establish savings habit.
Establishing a consistent saving habit and also smart saving with CDs.
Employer's 401(k) plan provides a convenient way for consistent and smart savings.
Your savings decide how well you flourish and grow.
None of the Above
Solution:
The first paragraph of the passage is about the ways to establish a consistent saving habit through various ways and the second paragraph further gives a smarter way to save through the use of certificates of deposit (CDs). Hence, option (b) is the correct theme of the passage.
Q2. Which of the following can replace the word given in bold in the passage?
though
even
quiteLY
accrue
more
Solution:
'Even' will be the correct word to replace 'yet'.
Q3. What is the tone of writing in the passage?
Satirical
Critical
Didactic
Sarcastic
Nostalgic
Solution:
The tone of writing in the passage is Didactic because the author tries to teach or instruct through his writing.
Q4. Which of the following words can fill in the blank to make it meaningful?
gifts
lucrative
causalities
penalties
None of the Above
Solution:
Before the blank it is given that CDs usually offer higher interest rates, which is a positive phrase. Further, 'but' is used which means that next part of sentence will be something contradictory. Hence, 'penalties' will the correct word.
Directions (5-7)- Read the following paragraph and answer the questions as directed.
Budgeting is an important tool for saving. First, you need to segregate all your income and expenses. Now, categorise your expenses as least important, important and very important to prioritise them while settling them through your income, which is limited. Try to figure out ways in which you can increase expenses. Ensure that your income exceeds the expenses with as wider a margin as possible. The surplus fund after meeting all the expenses would be your saving. It is only after you have assured savings that you can thinking about investment. Q5. Which of the followings is the correct chronology of steps as can be inferred from the passage?
Saving-Budgeting-Investment
Investment-Budgeting-Saving
Budgeting-Saving-Investment
Budgeting-Investment-Saving
None of the Above
Solution:
The correct chronology of steps is Budgeting-Saving-Investment.
Q6. Which of the following words, opposite of the word given in bold, should replace the word given in bold in the passage?
Enhance
Curtail
Damage
Lengthen
Leverage
Solution:
The paragraph deals with improving savings and limiting expenses. 'Curtail' means reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on. So, 'curtail' should replace 'increase'.
Q7. Which of the following is the best way of writing the line given in italics in the paragraph, without changing its intended meaning?
Surely, the income will exceed the expenses by a wider margin.
The income will be greater than the expenses is not a possibility.
Make sure that the income is greater than the expenses by a margin as wide as possible.
If the income does not exceed the expenses by a wider margin, it will be useless.
None of the Above
Solution:
The correct way of writing the line without changing its intended meaning is 'Make sure that the income is greater than the expenses by a margin as wide as possible.'
Directions (8-10)- Read the following paragraph and answer the questions as directed.
The way most of us save is to put away whatever is left after all expenses are taken care of, or put away any surplus income. But that is not the best way of saving and there are chances of us falling short. A very stringent savings plan that favours future demands over current aspirations is also likely to fail. Instead, a better approach is where due consideration is given to current and future needs. This will help divide the available income between current consumption and future saving. If an expense or a need is too large to be met out of the regular income, earmark it for the future. So the ................. way to buy a coveted watch is not to swipe the credit card and commit yourself to debt, but to set aside money from your current income and buy the watch when you have the required funds.
Q8. Which of the following can be best inferred from the paragraph?
The better way to save is to give due consideration to current and future needs and plan accordingly.
It's better to buy the things that you require at present than to save money and buy them later.
Buying a watch is more important than saving for the future.
A stringent savings plan will produce a good result for the future.
None of the Above
Solution:
The paragraph tells about the better ways to save and what all should be considered while spending or maintaining your expenses. So, the statement in option (a) can be the best inference from the passage.
Q9. Which of the following word should fill in the blank in the paragraph?
stringent
bad
unethical
moneywise
Both (a) and (d)
Solution:
'Moneywise' here means in regard of money and so it is the perfect fit for the blank.
Q10. Which of the following can be next line after the last line of the given paragraph?
Most of us never have enough money for immediate expenses as well as saving.
There will be a lot of unwanted expenses that can creep in every now and then.
If we had enough money to meet our current expenses and future goals, there would be no problem.
Expenses or needs that have to be met at a point of time in the future are called goals.
Just as we segregate the essential and less important things in our shopping list, do the same with your goals.
Solution:
"Expenses or needs that have to be met at a point of time in the future are called goals." This will be the last line in continuation to the last line of the passage as the last line is an example to set aside money to buy a watch in the future.