SBI Clerk Prelims English Questions
Dear students, The State Bank of India conducts a two-tier examination to recruit Clerks (Junior Associates) at regular intervals. Thus, the English Language plays a crucial role in sailing through all the stages of SBI Clerk exam. Here is a quiz on the English Language to let you practice the latest pattern English Questions for SBI Clerk 2019-20.
Directions (1- 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Colour is a powerful thing, and it often lies at the heart of our perception of the world. Colours help us identify specific objects and associate properties to them. Colours also help us interpret emotions and recognise real world threats. However, an interesting question is where did this sense of colour come from? It all starts with your eyes. Unlike many other living animals, human eyes are designed to interpret a wide range of light wavelengths which helps us identify colours. On a technical level, colours are simply different spectrums of wavelengths either travelling faster or slower towards our eyes and into our brain. We are good at it, but before you get big headed, we aren't the best at interpreting colours: Many animals have a colour perception ability that is far beyond our comprehension, for example, the Mantis Shrimp: Believe it or not the mantis shrimp has 4 times better colour vision than humans do.
However, seeing a colour is one thing, interpreting it is something else. So how did we come to associate different colours with different emotions, and physical reactions, even physical danger triggers? That is a completely different science altogether. Naturally, we (and many other animals in the kingdom) associate brighter colours like red and yellow to danger signs. Colour in this sense has the power to alert us to dangers before we are fully aware of them.It all boils down to the fact that many brightly-coloured animals, bugs and insects tend to be either poisonous or toxic, and we have learnt, probably through a few nasty accidents, that they should be avoided. The same thing, all designed by mother nature, applies to plant life too: Mushrooms for example tend to be dangerous if they are brightly coloured, and berries. This, combined with millions of years of social adaptation, means we have developed the instinct to avoid brightly coloured objects, and we have applied this principle to the things we create.
We associate many colours with specific emotions or human traits, which can vary across cultures. Here in the west you might hear of someone having the blues: Having “the blues” means feeling sad and lonely. The colour has even been applied to a genre of music; the blues. Maybe you have seen red (felt very angry), and yet the colour red is often associated with love, as well as danger, which might make sense in a strange kind of way. Being given a red rose is often an expression of romance, and red hearts cover every surface around Valentine's Day. Have you ever been green with envy? Yellow is associated with cowardice, and white with purity. In history, black and white are historically associated with good and evil, the colour black abounds over Halloween, but it is also the colour of mourning. As you can see colours have been given meaning by our society, and we often assign them roles based on our own experience. You must have a favourite colour.
The fact is colours hold a great importance in our perception of the outside world. Our ability to see in colour helps us navigate the obstacles around us better, and they play a major role in threat/danger detection. If you have difficulty perceiving certain colours (we call it being colour blind) several careers are closed to you. Though not so important in adults, for children the basic ability to separate danger from safety using colour, plays an important role in keeping safe!
However, seeing a colour is one thing, interpreting it is something else. So how did we come to associate different colours with different emotions, and physical reactions, even physical danger triggers? That is a completely different science altogether. Naturally, we (and many other animals in the kingdom) associate brighter colours like red and yellow to danger signs. Colour in this sense has the power to alert us to dangers before we are fully aware of them.It all boils down to the fact that many brightly-coloured animals, bugs and insects tend to be either poisonous or toxic, and we have learnt, probably through a few nasty accidents, that they should be avoided. The same thing, all designed by mother nature, applies to plant life too: Mushrooms for example tend to be dangerous if they are brightly coloured, and berries. This, combined with millions of years of social adaptation, means we have developed the instinct to avoid brightly coloured objects, and we have applied this principle to the things we create.
We associate many colours with specific emotions or human traits, which can vary across cultures. Here in the west you might hear of someone having the blues: Having “the blues” means feeling sad and lonely. The colour has even been applied to a genre of music; the blues. Maybe you have seen red (felt very angry), and yet the colour red is often associated with love, as well as danger, which might make sense in a strange kind of way. Being given a red rose is often an expression of romance, and red hearts cover every surface around Valentine's Day. Have you ever been green with envy? Yellow is associated with cowardice, and white with purity. In history, black and white are historically associated with good and evil, the colour black abounds over Halloween, but it is also the colour of mourning. As you can see colours have been given meaning by our society, and we often assign them roles based on our own experience. You must have a favourite colour.
The fact is colours hold a great importance in our perception of the outside world. Our ability to see in colour helps us navigate the obstacles around us better, and they play a major role in threat/danger detection. If you have difficulty perceiving certain colours (we call it being colour blind) several careers are closed to you. Though not so important in adults, for children the basic ability to separate danger from safety using colour, plays an important role in keeping safe!
Q1. How the Human eye is isn’t the best as mentioned in the passage?
Our inability to interpret a wide range of light wavelengths
We have difficulty in perceiving certain colours
Our colour perception ability is lesser than many animals
Both (B) and (C)
All are correct
Solution:
Referring to the last few lines of the 1st paragraph of the passage, “Many animals have a colour perception ability that is far beyond our comprehension, for example, the Mantis Shrimp: Believe it or not the mantis shrimp has 4 times better colour vision than humans do”
Q2. How the bright colors like red and yellow became the symbol of danger?
As historically it is associated with good and evil.
As bright colors look distinct as compared to other colors
by brightly colored insects and plants which are poisonous
As red is most visible to human eye due to long wavelength
All are true
Solution:
Refer the second paragraph that mentions that some brightly colored insects, bugs and Plants were avoided due to their poisonous nature, hence they became the symbol of danger.
Q3.In what way color often lays at the heart of our perception of the world?
It makes our communication easier.
It elucidates the emotions.
As it helps to identify the objects and associate the properties with it.
Both (B) and (C)
All are correct.
Solution:
Refer the first few lines of the paragraph where it has been mentioned that “Colours help us identify specific objects and associate properties to them. Colours also help us interpret emotions and recognise real world threats.” Hence option (d) is the correct choice.
Q4. Which of the following statement is/are true as given in the passage?
(I) The ability to separate danger from safety using colour has no significance in adults.
(II) bright colour is mostly associated with danger.
(III)Our own experience plays an important role in assigning roles to various colours.
(I) The ability to separate danger from safety using colour has no significance in adults.
(II) bright colour is mostly associated with danger.
(III)Our own experience plays an important role in assigning roles to various colours.
Only (I)
Only (II)
Both (I) and (II)
Both (II) and (III)
All are correct
Solution:
Only statement (I) is incorrect as “not so important” doesn’t mean it has no significance at all. Other statements can be easily inferred from the passage.
Q5. Choose the appropriate title.
Use of colors as symbols.
Color perception in human beings and animals
The power of colour
Colour and emotions
Coloring the world
Solution:
The whole paragraph revolves around the theme of various uses of colors. Hence the title ‘the power of colour’ is the appropriate title of the paragraph.
Q6. Which of the color is used for two different meanings according to the passage?
blue
white
green
red
violet
Solution:
‘red’ is the color that is used as a symbol of anger but at the same time is associated with love.
Q7. Choose the word/group of words which is most SIMILAR in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in passage.
Perception
gash
impediment
wrangle
snag
discernment
Solution:
Perception means the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. Hence it has same meaning as discernment.
Snag means an unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback.
Gash means a long, deep cut or wound.
Snag means an unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback.
Gash means a long, deep cut or wound.
Q8. Choose the word/group of words which is most SIMILAR in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in passage.
Mourning
elate
moron
feeble
lament
annex
Solution:
Mourning means the expression of sorrow for someone's death. Hence it has same meaning as lament.
Moron means a stupid person.
Feeble means lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
Annex means appropriate.
Moron means a stupid person.
Feeble means lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
Annex means appropriate.
Q9. Choose the word/group of words which is most OPPOSITE in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in passage.
Abounds
candid
candor
meagre
rife
credibility
Solution:
Abounds means exist in large numbers or amounts. Hence it has opposite meaning as meagre.
Candor means the quality of being open and honest, frankness.
Candid means truthful and straightforward.
Rife means abundant.
Candor means the quality of being open and honest, frankness.
Candid means truthful and straightforward.
Rife means abundant.
Q10. Choose the word/group of words which is most OPPOSITE in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in passage.
Instinct
pervasive
Inability
obnoxious
laudable
proficient
Solution:
Instinct means an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior. Hence it has opposite meaning to inability.
Directions (11-15): In the following passage there are words highlighted in bold, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, four words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case. If the word highlighted in bold does not require any replacement, choose (E) as your answer.
Q11. In a complex, chaotic world, living a virtuous, equitable (11) life is a challenge. Despite this, many people are apparently immersed (12) in doing good and are trying to lead meaningful plan (13). They are doing charity, are dutiful towards their families and jobs, are creating (14) integrity in their day-to-day dealings, adhering to truth and doing all that comes within the ambit (15) of an ideal life.
standard
standard
scrupulous
impeccable
upright
No improvement required
Solution:
‘upright’ is the correct word to be replaced as it is similar meaning as virtuous.
Q12. In a complex, chaotic world, living a virtuous, equitable (11) life is a challenge. Despite this, many people are apparently immersed (12) in doing good and are trying to lead meaningful plan (13). They are doing charity, are dutiful towards their families and jobs, are creating (14) integrity in their day-to-day dealings, adhering to truth and doing all that comes within the ambit (15) of an ideal life.
enlivened
engaged
swamped
consumed
No improvement required
Solution:
‘engaged’ best suits the purpose.
Swamped means overwhelm with an excessive amount of something; inundate.
Enlivened means make (something) more entertaining, interesting, or appealing.
Swamped means overwhelm with an excessive amount of something; inundate.
Enlivened means make (something) more entertaining, interesting, or appealing.
Q13. In a complex, chaotic world, living a virtuous, equitable (11) life is a challenge. Despite this, many people are apparently immersed (12) in doing good and are trying to lead meaningful plan (13). They are doing charity, are dutiful towards their families and jobs, are creating (14) integrity in their day-to-day dealings, adhering to truth and doing all that comes within the ambit (15) of an ideal life.
action
lives
occupation
movement
No improvement required
Solution:
‘lives’ is the correct word as the paragraph is talking about leading a righteous life.
Q14. In a complex, chaotic world, living a virtuous, equitable (11) life is a challenge. Despite this, many people are apparently immersed (12) in doing good and are trying to lead meaningful plan (13). They are doing charity, are dutiful towards their families and jobs, are creating (14) integrity in their day-to-day dealings, adhering to truth and doing all that comes within the ambit (15) of an ideal life.
recognizing
observing
knowing
gaining
No improvement required
Solution:
‘observing’ is the correct word to be replaced making the sentence meaningful.
Q15. In a complex, chaotic world, living a virtuous, equitable (11) life is a challenge. Despite this, many people are apparently immersed (12) in doing good and are trying to lead meaningful plan (13). They are doing charity, are dutiful towards their families and jobs, are creating (14) integrity in their day-to-day dealings, adhering to truth and doing all that comes within the ambit (15) of an ideal life.
verge
extremity
beginning
confinement
No improvement required
Solution:
No improvement is required here.
English Language Quiz For Bank Foundatio...
English Language Quiz For SBI Clerk Prel...
English Language Quiz For SBI Clerk Prel...
