Corporation Bank Specialist Officer’s 2004 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 55 (Level 1)

Jet Airways announced a new scheme, check Fares ‘ that enables passengers to avail substantial savings on air tickets on select flights.

  These fares are 30 to 45 per cent lower than the normal economy class fares and will be available to passengers close to the date of travel in two levels. Available in the economy class of specific flights, ‘Check Fares’ will complement the existing 15-day and 21-day apex fares and the 30-day super apex fares. However, unlike the apex fares, these need not be booked in advance. All a passenger is required to do is to check the availability of tickets at the time of booking on the website, www.jetairways.com, or at any Jet Airways ticketing counter.

  Travel agents across the country can book these fares on Global Distribution Systems. Waitlisted reservations and open date’s tickets will not be allowed on ‘Check Fares ‘ booking. These fares can be sold on tickets only in India. Similarly, extension of validity and group travel is not permitted on this new pricing initiative. The tickets can be reissued only at Jet Airways offices after deduction of Rs. 500 as cancellation charges, a jet Airways release said.

  The ‘Check Fares’ between Bangalore and Delhi will be available on flight numbers 801 and 802 costing Rs. 5,855 per ticket in Ievel-1 and Rs. 7,150 a ticket in level-2. On the Delhi-Mumbai sector, the new price will be avail bale on flight numbers 302, 305, 306 and 353 with the cost being Rs. 4,250 in level-1 and Rs. 5,150 in levet-2. The level-1 fares between Mumbai and Bangalore will be Rs. 3,250 and Rs. 3,750 in level-2 on flight numbers 443, 417, 444 and 418. In the Delhi- Hyderabad sector, the Ievel-1 and level-2 ‘.Check Fares’ are priced at Rs. 4,750 and Rs. 5,950 respectively on flight numbers 825 and 828. The flight between Delhi and Chennai will now cost Rs. 5,850 in level-1 and Rs. 7, !50 in level-2 on flights 822, 831 and 725. The Chennai-Hyderabad sector will now cost Rs. 2,890 in level-1 and Rs. 3,350 in level-2 on flight numbers 3502 and 493. Between Delhi and Guwahati, a ticket will cost Rs. 5, 750 and Rs. 6, 750 in level-1 and level-2 flights 601 and 602.

QUESTIONS:

1. The name of Fares of Jet Airways which was announced a new scheme is

(A) Check Fares

(B) Check Rates

(C) Check Lists

(A) Only A 

(B)  Only B 

(C) Only A & B 

(D) Only B & C 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (A)

2. Fares are ……. …… lower than the normal economy class fairs.

(A) 20 to 35 per cent 

(B) 25 to 40 per cent 

(C) 30 to 45 per cent 

(D) 40 to 50 per cent 

(E) 10 to 15 per cent 

Answer: (C)

3. Which of the following is/are required to check the availability of tickets at the time of booking?

(A) Website

(B) Jet Airways ticketing counter

(C) Global Distribution systems.

(A) Only A 

(B) Only B 

(C) Only C 

(D) Only A & C 

(E) All of above 

Answer: (E)

4. Which tickets are not allowed on ‘Check Fares’ bookings?

(A)  Waitlisted reservations 

(B) Open-dated tickets 

(C) Ticket taken before two months of the date of journey 

(D) Only 1 & 2 

(E) All 1, 2 & 3 

Answer: (C)

5. On the Delhi-Mumbai sector, the new price will be available on flight numbers 302, 305, 306 and 353 with the cost being Rs. 4,250 in Ievel-1 and Rs ………. in level-2.

(A)  Rs. 5,150 

(B) Rs. 4,295 

(C) Rs. 6,150 

(D) Rs. 6,820 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (A)

(Source: Corporation Bank Specialist Officer’s Exam – 2004)

Corporation Bank Specialist Officer’s 2004 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 54 (Level 1)

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which tits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

          If you’ve ever watched a documentary, where a cheetah is (1) a gazelle tor its next meal, you know what agility is. As. The two animals (2) in a sixty-mile-an-hour life-and-death race, agility and speed determined how the (3) will end. Whether the gazelle can (4) the cheetah or the cheetah can feed her cubs will be (5) by which animal is faster and more agile. Both animals have skeletal and muscle structures that enable them to be (6) swift and nimble. South-west Airlines, like the cheetah and the gazelle, is lean and muscular and has quick (7) Its agility in quickly (8) people and reconfiguring resources comes in part from its (9) communication style. And its open communication is partly a function of its lean structure and (10) code of conduct.

QUESTIONS:

1.

(A) proceeding

(B) leading

(C) pursuing

(D) racing

(E) investigating

Answer: (C)

2.

(A) bind

(B) engage

(C) conflict

(D) interlock

(E) pledge

Answer: (B)

3.

(A) debate

(B) controversy

(C) life

(D) confrontation

(E) fun

Answer: (E)

4.

(A) refrain

(B) void 

(C) quash

(D) please

(E) baffle

Answer: (A)

5.

(A) determine

(B) ended

(C) claimed

(D) defined

(E) intended

Answer: (A)

6.

(A) incredibly

(B) excitedly

(C) ironically

(D) expectedly

(E) believably

Answer: (A)

7.

(A) stimulation

(B) actions

(C) positions

(D) manifestation

(E) reflexes

Answer: (B)

8.

(A) rendering

(B) mobilizing

(C) serving

(D) preparing

(E) changing

Answer: (A)

9. 

(A) smooth

(B) complex

(C) defined

(D) streamlined

(E) resistant

Answer: (A)

10.

(A) lively

(B) lax

(C) informal

(D) non-existent

(E) vague

Answer: (C)

(Source: Corporation Bank Specialist Officer’s Exam – 2004)

Central Bank of India PO Held on: 25-07-2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 53 (Level 1)

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Hundreds of plants and animals are (1) every day due to deforestation and urbanization. What might happen if this continues in the future? The last mass extinction of plant and animal species occurred 65 million years ago with the dinosaurs. In all, five mass extinctions have occurred and scientists (2) earth is in the sixth mass extinction. The world as it is now is threatened, including people, who are responsible for earth’s (3). Pesticides contaminating water; overharvesting of animals and plants; air pollution; illegal fishing and the clearing of land are direct results of urbanization and deforestation. People have (4) and damaged almost half of earth’s land, at a very unsustainable rate.

                   Global warming is having a serious impact as well. A sixdegree Celsius increase in global temperature killed 95% of all species on Earth 251 million years ago. An increase of sixdegree Celsius is forecast this century if a change is not made to (5) the damage done to earth. Humans will be one of the 95% of species lost. Noticeable, changes of global warming include migration (6) and the change in season timings. Migrating birds are migrating earlier which in turn is causing them to hatch eggs and (7) young earlier than they did at the beginning of this century. While this is just the tip of the iceberg many other (8) regarding the extinction of plant and animal species need addressing. It is more important now than ever before to pull our heads out of the sand and make changes for the (9) of the earth. Future generations are (10), as they are a species as well.

QUESTIONS:

1. 

(A) killing

(B) alive

(C) born

(D) left

(E) lost

Answer: (E)

2.

(A) speak

(B) told

(C) estimation

(D) believe

(E) consider

Answer: (D)

3. 

(A) shape

(B) development

(C) deterioration

(D) warmth

(E) expansion

Answer: (C)

4.

(A) altered

(B) created

(C) produced

(D) made

(E) brought

Answer: (A)

5.

(A) void

(B) dissipate

(C) augment

(D) reverse

(E) increase

Answer: (D)

6.

(A) delay

(B) birds

(C) slowdown

(D) hasten

(E) acceleration

Answer: (D)

7.

(A) spare

(B) bear

(C) destroy

(D) amend

(E) generation

Answer: (B)

8.

(A) animals

(B) difficulty

(C) issues

(D) humans

(E) problem

Answer: (C)

9.

(A) extinction

(B) better

(C) wealth

(D) stigma

(E) demand

Answer: (B)

10.

(A) endangered

(B) threaten 

(C) evaluated

(D) living

(E) compared

Answer: (A)

(Source: Central Bank of India PO Held on: 25-07-2010)

Baroda Rajsthan Gramin Bank Scale-I 2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 52 (Level 1)

PASSAGE-55

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word/phrase in each case.

When we sit down for a meal of market bought products, we like to think we’re getting a reasonable (1) of the body’s nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not (2) the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.

Plants (3) with the help of soluble chemical fertilizers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the (4). In addition, the micro organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are (5) by chemical bombardment and violent mechanized manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we’re getting robbed, and having to pay for it in (6) health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.

Unfortunately, agriculture’s single minded focus on increasing (7) at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid (8) of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite (9) in some crops but has sadly gone largely (10) by scientists, tanners, government and consumers.

1.

(A) yield

(B) number

(C) amount

(D) deficiency

(E) strength

Answer: (C)

2.

(A) grow

(B) specify

(C) inhabit

(D) cultivate

(E) contain

Answer: (E)

3.

(A) growing

(B) eaten

(C) suffering

(D) arising

(E) rising

Answer: (A)

4.

(A) pesticides

(B) plants

(C) food

(D) soil

(E) crop

Answer: (D)

5.

(A) increased

(B) absorbed

(C) added

(D) wounded

(E) killed

Answer: (B)

6.

(A) improving

(B) declining

(C) better

(D) simplifying

(E) defective

Answer: (B)

7.

(A) yields

(B) fertilizers

(C) chemicals

(D) quality

(E) soil

Answer: (A)

8.

(A) immigration

(B) improvement

(C) return

(D) progression

(E) deterioration

Answer: (E)

9.

(A) more

(B) inadequate

(C) significant

(D) inferior

(E) resistant

Answer: (A)

10.

(A) improved

(B) unnoticed

(C) eradicated

(D) alarming

(E) unaware

Answer: (B)

(Source: Baroda Rajsthan Gramin Bank Scale-I Exam-2010)

Bank of India Clerk 2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 51 (Level 1)

PASSAGE-53

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage, against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Long ago, in a …(1)… forest there were many tall and beautiful trees. They were happy and proud of themselves. There was one tree …(2)… them whose branches were twisted and its roots had uneven curves. All the trees made fun of that tree. Everyone including the tree itself felt that it was ugly “How are you, hunch-back ?” the other trees always shouted and their laughter made the ugly tree feel sad. But, it never raised a voice against them. They ugly tree thought, “I …(3)… I was as beautiful as them. Why did God do this to me ? Neither can I provide shade to the travellers nor can the birds make their …(4)… on me. Nobody needs me.” One day, a woodcutter came to the forest. He took a look at the trees and said, “These trees are lovely. I must cut them.” As soon as he …(5)… up his axe the trees got frightened. “None of us are going to be spared.” screamed one of the beautiful trees. Soon all the trees were brought to …(6)… by the woodcutter’s axe.

By now, the woodcutter had come near the ugly tree. He had just raised his axe when suddenly he noticed how …(7)… the ugly tree was. “This crooked tree seems to be useless for me. I cannot make long straight logs out of this ugly tree,” he thought. And he moved towards another beautiful tree. The ugly tree …(8)… a huge sigh of relief. It realized that by making it ugly, God had actually given it a boon.

From that day the ugly tree never …(9)…. It was happy with its crooked branches. It never forgot how it was …(10)… from the woodcutter’s axe, only because it was crooked and ugly .

QUESTIONS:

1.

(A) old

(B) short

(C) dense

(D) entertaining

(E) stout

Answer: (C)

2.

(A) on

(B) at

(C) below

(D) far

(E) among

Answer: (E)

3.

(A) want

(B) demand

(C) wish

(D) request

(E) think

Answer: (C)

4.

(A) house

(B) palaces

(C) burrows

(D) nests

(E) buildings

Answer: (D)

5.

(A) shows

(B) picked

(C) summoned

(D) threw 

(E) measured

Answer: (B)

6.

(A) ground

(B) hell

(C) heaven

(D) surface

(E) down

Answer: (A)

7.

(A) tall

(B) sensible

(C) frightened

(D) green 

(E) crooked

Answer: (E)

8.

(A) thought

(B) said

(C) commented

(D) smiled

(E) heaved

Answer: (E)

9.

(A) prayed

(B) laughed

(C) lived

(D) complained

(E) cursed

Answer: (D)

10.

(A) given

(B) spared

(C) stolen

(D) killed

(E) taken

Answer: (B)

(Source: Bank of India Clerk Exam Paper 2010)

Allahabad Bank P.O Exam-2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 50 (Level 1)

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Seed quality is an (1) aspect of crop production. For ages, farmers have traditionally been selecting and (2) good quality seed, since it was in their interest to do so. They knew and understood : the importance of quality seed in production.

However, with the advent of green revolution technology, based (3) on the high-yielding dwarf varieties of wheat and rice, mainstream thinking changed Agricultural scientists, for reasons, that remain (4), began to doubt, the ability of farmers to maintain seed quality (5). Aided by the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a National Seeds Project in 1967. Under the project; spread into three phases, seed processing plants were (6) up in nine states. Six states were, covered under phase three. All that the huge processing plants were (7) to do was to provide ‘certified’ seeds of food crops, mainly self-pollinating crops, to farmers. In mid-1980s, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines concluded a study which (8) that there was hardly any difference in the crop yields from transplanted rice and from the crop sown by broadcasted seeds. One would wonder why, in the first instance, were the, farmers, asked to (9) over to transplanting paddy? The answer is simple. Probably, to help the mechanical industries grow. Since rice, is the staple food in Asia, tractor sales could only grow if there was a way to move the machine, in the rice fields. No wonder, the sale of tractors, peddlers, reapers and other associated (10) soared in rice growing areas.

QUESTIONS:

1.

(A) irrational

(B) main

(C) brilliant

(D) important

(E) empathe

Answer: (D)

2.

(A) maintaining

(B) trusting

(C) selling

(D) processing

(E) creating

Answer: (A)

3.

(A) necessarily

(B) exceptionally

(C) primarily

(D) regularly

(E) truly

Answer: (C)

4.

(A) unexplained

(B) doubt

(C) some

(D) true

(E) sad

Answer: (A)

5.

(A) himself

(B) sometimes

(C) proper

(D) improve

(E) themselves

Answer: (E)

6.

(A) established

(B)  created

(C) set

(D) wound

(E) thought

Answer: (C)

7.

(A) tried

(B) mattered

(C) meaning

(D) supposed

(E) expect

Answer: (D)

8.

(A)  renounced

(B) showed

(C) passed

(D) negated

(E) directed

Answer: (B)

9.

(A) shift

(B) make

(C) turn

(D) mull

(E) switch

Answer: (E)

10.

(A) sell

(B) equipments

(C) people

(D) techniques

(E) creatures

Answer: (B)

Allahabad Bank P.O Exam-2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 49 (Level 1)

Read the following passage 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.

The great recession hasn’t been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The U.S., though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, included “buy American” clauses in its stimulus package and propped, up its flailing auto industry with handouts.

But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash-Asia -, the number of Free-Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to 56 by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region Become a powerful trading bloc.

The drive lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined – and as Asian consumers become wealthier- regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asia trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.

          Of course, Asia is still dependent on sales to the West. But FTAs could reduce the region’s exposure to the U.S. by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. These benefits could come with downsides, however. According to experts, FTAs create a “non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries”. If the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the U.S. restricted acess it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the U.S. left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages when trying to tap fast-growing Asian markets. This’ in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the U.S. and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. An Asia, the only thing everyone agrees upon is business. If it does, the world economy may never be the same.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do the Asian Development Bank  statistics indicate?

(A) Asian economies are financially more sound than those of the developed world 

(B) The financial crisis impacted the West far more than it did Asia 

(C) Asian countries have aligned themselves on lines similar to the European Union 

(D) Western countries are skeptical about trading with developing countries 

(E) Asian countries have been actively opening their markets to one another 

Answer: (E)

2. What has given rise to the large number of trade agreements between Asian countries?

(A) The need to insulate Asian economies from over exposure to the American economy 

(B) Angry reaction among Asian countries owing to America’s protectionist policy 

(C) The aim of empowering the poorer Asian economies and bring them on par with Western economies 

(D) The desire to achieve conditions conductive to global consensus on trade regulations and trait 

(E) Widespread panic in Europe and Asia as Asian economies are yet to recover from the recession 

Answer: (E)

3. Which of the following is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?

(A) Political and economic rivalries between Asian countries are non-existent today.

(B) Asian countries hold America responsible for the recession and have imposed economic sanctions against the U.S.

(C) America has adopted a protectionist strategy after the recession.

(A) Only (A) 

(B) Only (B) & (C) 

(C) Only (A) & (B) 

(D) Only (C) 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (C)

4. Which of the following describes expert predictions about trade pacts between Asian countries

(A) These will be beneficial and are likely to give rise to a common Asian currency 

(B) Tariffs will be lowered and bureaucratic regulations will become transparent 

(C) Widening of differences between participant and non-participant countries will hamper glob stability 

(D) Regional conflicts will increases as competition and inequities between Asian nations will intensify 

(E) They are likely to be short-lived as it will be difficult to get participating nations to arrive a consensus 

Answer: (C)

5. Which of the following has/ have not been (an) impact(s) of the recession?

(A)    Various trade agreements signed between developed and Asian countries have not been honoured.

(B)     The U.. government has restructured the automobile industry.

(C)     Regional conflict in Asia have substantially reduced.

(A)  Only (C) 

(B) Only (A) 

(C) Only (A) & (B) 

(D) All (A), (B) & (C) 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (B)

6. According to the author what danger does creating an Asian trading bloc pose?

(A) Political instability in Asia will rise as some countries are wealthier than others 

(B) American consumers have ceased their demand for Asian goods 

(C) Unemployment in Asian countries will rise as many plant will be forced to close down 

(D) It will alter the balance of power in the World with small Asian countries becoming most dominant 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (E)

7. What is the author trying to convey through the phrase “In the past Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia”?

(A) The number of wealthy consumers in Asia outnumber those in America and Europe together 

(B) Asian countries do not support free trade and continue to trade among themselves despite the recession 

(C) Goods manufactured in Asian countries often fail to meet the standards set by developed counties 

(D) Asian countries no longer export to Western markets alone and now cater to Asian markets as well 

(E) Interregional trade barriers between Europe and Asia have weakened considerably 

Answer: (D)

(Source: Allahabad Bank P.O Exam-2010)

Allahabad Bank P.O Exam-2010 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 48 (Level 1)

Today, with a Noble Prize to its credit, Grameen is one of the largest microfinance organizations in the world. It started out lending small sums to poor entrepreneurs in Bangladesh to help them grow from a subsistence living to a livelihood. The great discovery its founders made, was that even with few assets, these entrepreneurs repaid on time. Grameen, and microfinance have since becomes financial stapels of the developing world.  Grameen’s approach, unlike other microfinancer’s uses the group-lending model. Costs are kept down by having borrowers vet one another, tying together their financial fates and eliminating expensive loan officers entirely. The ultimate promise of Grameen is to use business lending as a way for people to lift themselves out of poverty.

          Recently Grameen has taken on a different challenge – by setting up operations in the U.S. Money say be tight in the waning recession, but it is still a nation of 1,00,000 bank branches. Globally, the working microfinance equation consists of borrowing funds cheaply and keeping loan defaults and overhead expenses sufficiently low. Micro lenders, including Grameen, do this by charging. Colossal interest rates – as high as 60% or 70% – which is necessary to compensate for the risk and attract bank funding. But loans at rates much above the standard 15% would most likely be attacked as usurious in America.

          So, the question is whether there is a role for Third World lender in the world’s largest economy? Grameen America believes that in a few years it will be successful and turn a profit, thanks to 9 million U.S. households untouched by mainstream banks and 21 milion using the likes of payday loans and pawn shops for financing. But enticing the unbanked won’t be easy. After all, profit has long eluded U.S. microfihancers and it is not lucrative, it is not micro lending- but charity. When Grameen first went to the U.S., in the late 1980s, it tripped up. Under Grameen’s tutelage, Banks started micro loans to entrepreneurs with a shocking 30% loss. But Grameen America sayathat this time results will be different because Grameen employees themselves will be making the loans, not training an American bank to do it. More often than not, the borrows, Grameen finds in the U.S. already have jobs (as factory worker for example) or side businesses –selling toys, cleaning houses etc. the loans from Grameen, by and large, provide a steadier source of funding, but they don’t create businesses out of nothing. But money isn’t everything. More importantly for many entrepreneurs, group members are tremendous sources of support to one another. So even if studies, are yet to determine if Grameen is a clear-cut pathway out of poverty, it still achieves something useful.

QUESTIONS:

1. What has adversely affected the success of microfinance institutions in the U.S?

(A) The focus of these institutions is on making a profit at any cost instead of being chartable to the needy 

(B) American banks engaged in microlending were the most severely hit during the recession. 

(C) Widespread perception among bankers that these institutions are better suited to developing countries. 

(D) Americans are too proud to accept sid from third world countries. 

(E)  Americans are too proud to accept sid from third world countries. 

Answer: (D)

2. Why has Grameen made a second attempt to launch itself in the U.S.

(A) The willingness of U.S. banks to provide the necessary staff and funds to facilitate the spread of microfinance. 

(B) The rates of interest on loans in the U.S. are exorbitant making it easier to recover capital. 

(C) The realization that a large percentage of the Amrican population not reached by mainstream banks can be tapped. 

(D) Recognition of the fact that disbursing credit in developing counties during the recession is too risky. 

(E)  None of these 

Answer: (E)

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(A) Microfinance, has been successful only in Asian countries 

(B) Microfinance makes individual borrowers dependent rather than independent. 

(C) America has the largest number of banks in the world 

(D) There is scope for microfinance institutions to be profitable in developed countries 

(E) There are no informal sources of credit in developed countries 

Answer: (D)

4.According to the author, what has enhanced the likelihood of success for Grameen America at present.

(A) Its success in Bangladesh and other developing countries 

(B) Absence of other microfinance institutions for competition 

(C) The fact that America is currently in the midst of recession 

(D) It provides loans at nominal rates of interest i.e. below 15 percent 

(E) None of these 

Answer: (E)

5.Which of the following can be said about Grameen?

(A)   Its success in developing countries will ensure its success in developed countries.

(B)   It ensures that the poor in developing countries enjoy a subsistence standard of living.

(C)     It has demonstrated that the poor are far more likely to repay loans than the affluent.

(A) None

(B) Only (A) 

(C) Only (A) & (C) 

(D) Only (B) 

(E) Only (C) 

Answer: (E)

6. What is the central theme of the passage?

(A) The contention that Grameen is doomed to fail in developed countries 

(B) A comprehensive evaluation of the current status of the American economy 

(C) A discussion about the prospects of Grameen and microfinance in the U.S. 

(D)  The role of banks in facilitating microlending efforts in developed nations 

(E)  Microfinance efforts are useful in developing countries but are futile in developed ones. 

Answer: (C)

7. Why was Grameen America’s initial U.S. initiative a flop?

(A)    Lack of proper training to Grameen America personnel.

(B)     Grameen’s refusal to adapt their system to meet the needs of the American poor.

(C)     It ended up given loans at half their customary rates of interest.

(A) None

(B) Only (A) 

(C) Only (A) & (C) 

(D) Only (B) 

(E) Only (C) 

Answer: (A)

8. Which of the following is a benefit of the Grameen system of microfinance?

(A) If a single member is unable to repay a loan other group members will repay it 

(B) Dispensing with the expense of technology networks to monitor advances 

(C)  It utilizes the vast bank network already existing in a country 

(D)  Group members can sanction loans and verify if borrowers have sufficient collateral 

(E) Backing that borrowers receive from other group members 

Answer: (E)

9. Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word “ELUDED” as used in the passage

(A) Avoided

(B) Duped

(C) Abandoned

(D) Intangible

(E) Betrayed

Answer: (B)

10. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word “COLOSSAL” as used in the passage?

(A) Short

(B) Lavish

(C) Minority

(D) Frugal

(E) Insignificant

Answer: (E)

(Source: Allahabad Bank P.O Exam-2010)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 47 (Level 1)

Many doctors flatly refused to believe Jenner when he announced that he had found a preventive against smallpox. They declared vaccination to be a dangerous practice. Bu the dread of smallpox was in everybody’s heart, and people flocked to Jenner to be vaccinated. The Latin word for cow is ‘vacca’; it is the root from which the word vaccination was formed. Some of the ‘vacca’ used by Jenner were not pure and some harms were done; but when supplied of pure vaccine were available, the practice of vaccinating spread all over England and from England to other countries. We hardly hear of outbreaks of smallpox now.

1. The passage describes

(a)   how smallpox may be treated

(b)   how vaccines were manufactured in England

(c)   the dangers of vaccination especially for children

(d)   the gradual acceptance of vaccination as a preventive against smallpox

Ans: ()

2. Vaccination sometimes proved harmful because

(a)   vaccination was a dangerous practice

(b)   some of the vaccines used were of a poor hygienic standard

(c)   there are physiological differences between cows and human beings

(d)   vaccination is given at a very early age

Ans: ()

3. People hastened to get themselves vaccinated because

(a)   many doctors supported Jenner’s claims

(b)   fear the terrible disease drove them to take the risk of vaccination

(c)   supplies vaccine had now become available

(d)   the practice of vaccinating had spread all over the world  

Ans: ()

4. Vaccination was intended by Jenner to

(a)   cure people suffering from smallpox

(b)   delay the death of smallpox victims

(c)   build up a defence against smallpox germs

(d)   prevent cows from spreading the disease

Ans: ()

5. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements :

Many doctors did not believe that Jenner was a doctor.

There are no outbreaks of smallpox nowadays.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct  ?

(a)   1 only

(b)   2 only

(c)   Both 1 and 2

(d)   Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 46 (Level 1)

A little girl was learning a history lesson with her governess. All the morning she had been reading it over and hearing it explained by her governess, but no good came of either the reading or the teaching. The governess went over the lesson several times, explained the meaning, and for the last time, asked her pupil to read it over. After due time had been given,, the girl was examined as her knowledge of the lesson; but not a single answer could she give correctly. The governess lost patience with her, and threatened to punish her unless she could state where a certain treaty was signed.

1. According to the passage, the little girls read the lesson and heard it explained all the morning because

(a)   the girl did not like  her governess

(b)   the governess could not explain it long enough

(c)   the girl could not understand it

(d)   the girl read the lesson only once

Ans: ()

2. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements :

  1. The governess taught the same lesson several times.
  2. The governess wanted to completed her teaching work quickly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a)   1 only

(b)   2 only

(c)   Both 1 and 2

(d)   Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: ()

3. After reading the whole passage, which of the following impressions do you think correct but the inability of the girl to answer questions correctly ?

(a)   The dullness of the girl

(b)   The incompetence of the governess

(c)   The difficulty of the language

(d)   The lack of time

Ans: ()

4. Which of the following correctly expresses the meaning of lost patience with her ?

(a)   The inability of the governess to endure further the girl’s failure to answer

(b)   The governess lost her enthusiasm to teach the girl

(c)   The governess felt that the girl cannot be taught the lesson

(d)   The governess felt that she was not good enough to teach the girl

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 45 (Level 1)

I came home from one vacation to find that my brother Ron and brought a dog while I was away. A big burly, choleric dog, he always acted as if he thought I wasn’t one of the family. There was a slight advantage in being one of the family. For he didn’t bite the family as often as he bit strangers. Mother used to send to box of candy every Christmas to the people he b it. The list finally contained forty or more names. Nobody could understand why we didn’t get rid of the dog !

1. Which of the following descriptions fits the dog ?

(a)   The dog was tiny and delicate

(b)   The dog was sturdy and short tempered

(c)   The dog was hug and cool

(d)   The dog was small and sweet tempered

Ans: ()

2. The dog did not consider the writer as one of the family. What do you think was the consequence of this ?

(a)   The dog barked at him all the time

(b)   The dog drove him out of his own house

(c)   The dog behaved with him in an unfriendly way

(d)   The dog bit him more than he bit others in the family

Ans: ()

3. The Christmas list contained more than forty names. What does this suggest ?

(a)   The writer’s mother had a lot of friends

(b)   The writer’s family celebrated Christmas well

(c)   The writer’s dog had bitten at least forty people

(d)   The writer’s mother sent them candy boxes

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 44 (Level 1)

Even in the most primitive societies the great majority of people satisfy a large part of their material needs by exchanging goods and services. Very few people indeed can make for themselves everything they need-all their food, their clothes, their housing, their tools. Ever since men started living in communities, they have been satisfying their needs by means of specialization and exchange; increasingly each individual has concentrated on what he can do best, and has produced more of the special goods or services in which he has concentrated, than he can consume himself. The surplus he has exchanged with other members of the community, acquiring, in exchange the things he needs that others have produced.

1. Very few people can satisfy their needs today by

(a)   providing things for themselves

(b)   exchanging goods and services

(c)   concentrating on what they can do best

(d)   individual specialization

Ans: ()

2. Exchange of goods becomes possible only when

(a)   there is no specialization

(b)   the goods are produced in surplus

(c)   primitive societies  becomes modern

(d)   individuals make things for themselves

Ans: ()

3. Specialization and exchange began when men started

(a)   big industries

(b)   concentrating on their work

(c)   producing things for individual use

(d)   living in communities

Ans: ()

4. Exchange of goods and services becomes necessary because

(a)   man is a social animal

(b)   reciprocity is the law of life

(c)   trade and commerce are means of progress

(d)   we cannot produce everything we need ourselves

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 43 (Level 1)

Discussions on drug addiction should also be concerned with the vast majority of people who are not addict. Their homes and lives are insecure because our narcotics laws drive such people to crime. The drug addict is almost never dangerous when he is under the influence of drugs. What makes him dangerous is the desperate need for money to buy the next does. Drugs are available only in an illegal black marked. The costs are stupendous, and this is what drivers the addict to steal, rob and even kill.

1. According to the author, discussions of drug addiction are generally concerned with

(a)   addicts

(b)   non-addicts

(c)   criminals

(d)   black marketers

Ans: ()

2. Addicts take to criminal acts because

(a)   drugs make them lose self-control

(b)   the habit robbing and stealing is heard to break

(c)   they need large sums of money to buy drugs

(d)   law is powerless against them     

Ans: ()

3. The author seems to criticize the narcotics laws for

(a)   being too lenient

(b)   being too complicated

(c)   being ineffective

(d)   driving addicts to crime

Ans: ()

4. The word ‘stupendous’ in the passage means

(a)   very high

(b)   foolish

(c)   shocking

(d)   illegal

Ans: ()

5. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements :

  1. Addiction to drugs is a criminal act.
  2. Drug addicts cannot be rehabilitated.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct

(a)   1 only

(b)   2only

(c)   Both 1 and 2

(d)   Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 42 (Level 1)

Cozette could have been a pretty child, but she was thin and pale and her eyes were stained with weeping. She was dressed in her  thin torn cotton dress and she shivered all the time. Here and thee on her body were blue marks from the beatings that her mistress had given her. Her naked legs were red and rough. When she spoke, her voice trembled. Everything about the child, her looks, her behaviour, her speech, her silence, every small gesture she made, showed a terrible fear. She was so afraid that, even though she was wet through, she dared not go near the firs to warm herself, but sat shivering in a corner of the room.

1. Cozette could not be a pretty child because

(a)   she was pale and emaciated

(b)   she was weeping

(c)   she was scantily dressed

(d)   she was trembling with fear

Ans: ()

2. Cozette’s voice trembled because

(a)   she was feeling cold

(b)   she was frightened

(c)   there was no fire near her

(d)   she was wearing  a thin, cotton dress

Ans: ()

3. Cozette’s terrible fear is conveyed most vividly by the description of

(a)   her constant shivering

(b)   her tear-stained eyes

(c)   her trembling voice

(d)   her inability to go near the fire

Ans: ()

4. The cause of Cozette’s fear is explained by

(a)   her pale appearance

(b)   her torn dress

(c)   the blue marks on her body

(d)   her speech      

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-I 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 41 (Level 1)

One of the most serious problems confronting our country is that of a fast-growing population. In fact, it is at the root of many other problems. At the moment, thanks to planning, we are able to produce food and cloth sufficient for our people and even in some excess. But if the population continues to grow at this rate, it will not be long before the surplus turns into a bare minimum and even a deficit. The position in regard to accommodation is even now far form satisfactory in spite of our efforts.

“It is at the root of many other problems” mean that

(a)   it is found along with many other problems

(b)   it is caused by many other problems

(c)   it gives rise to many other problems

(d)   it is buried under many other problems

Ans: ()

The present satisfactory position in regard to food and cloth is due to

(a)   the fact that the population has been controlled

(b)   our good luck

(c)   good rainfall

(d)   our economic planning

Ans: ()

If the population of India continues to increase at this rate, the situation in regard to food and cloth

(a)   is likely to remain the same

(b)   is likely to become less satisfactory

(c)   is likely to improve

(d)   is likely to vary up and down

Ans: ()

The situation in respect of accommodation

(a)   is less than satisfactory

(b)   is quite satisfactory

(c)   is improving rapidly

(d)   is the result of total neglect

Ans: ()

At present Indians have

(a)   more provision for cloth than accommodation

(b)   more provision for accommodation than cloth

(c)   abundance of cloth and accommodation

(d)   scarcity of cloth and accommodation

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-I Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-I 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 40 (Level 1)

As the tortoise lucks its feet nd head inside the shell and will ot come out even though you may break the shell into pieces, even so the character of the man who has control over his motives and organs, is unchangeably established. He controls his own inner forces, and nothing can draw them out against his will. By this continuous reflex of good thoughts and good impressions moving over the surface of the mind, the tendency to do good becomes strong, and in consequence, we are abet to control the Indriyas or sense organs.

1. The author uses the phrase ‘inner forces’ in this passage. Which of the following would be its most correct meaning in the context ?

(a)   Emotional disturbances in man

(b)   Strength of the internal organs

(c)   Forces produced by sense organs

(d)   Reflection of the intellect

Ans: ()

2. Which of the following statements would illustrate the metaphor in the passage ?

(a)   Man is slow-moving and slow-witted

(b)   A man of character refuses to be influenced by outside compulsions against his will

(c)   Man confines himself to a life of isolation

(d)   Man cannot have a good character or strong will

Ans: ()

3. Which of the following statements may be assumed to reflect the central theme of the passage ?

(a)   Good thoughts lead to the control of the sense organs

(b)   Control of the sense organs leads to good thoughts

(c)   Character, though established, may be disturbed by outside forces

(d)   NO man can achieve success in destroying the inner forces

Ans: ()

4. Which of the following statements would be most correct in explaining the metaphorical meaning of ‘break the shell into pieces ?

(a)   Destruction of the human body

(b)   Breaking of the physical environment of man

(c)   Attempt of destroy man’s character

(d)   Inflicting physical and mental agony on man

Ans: ()

5. The passage consists of two long sentences and a short one. The suppose of this style could be to suggest that

(a)   it is impossible for man to attain perfection of character

(b)   the attainment of perfect character is the result of a long process of mental discipline

(c)   the whole life process in clumsy

(d)   there is a lot of confusion in our understanding of sense organs, character, etc.

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-I Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-I 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 39 (Level 1)

During his early days as editor of the popular magazine, Saturday Evening Post, George Lorimer did much of the reading of unsoliocited stories. This meant endless hours of sitting at the desk, pouring over big stacks of manuscripts, trying to decide which were worthy of publication and which were not. Lormier became an expert at making these decisions.

One day he received a huffy letter from a would-be writer who had a complaint. “Last week you rejected my story,” she wrote, “I am positive you did no read it, because, as a test, I pasted together pages 14, 15 and 16. The manuscript came back with the pages still pasted. There is no questions in my mind but that you are a sham and a disgrace to your profession.”

Lorimer’s reply was succinct : “Madam, at breakfast when I crack open an egg, I don’t have to eat the whole egg to know it is bad.”

1. Lormier did much reading of the stories

(a)   if they were the solicited ones

(b)   when they appeared to be bad

(c)   when they were from women writers

(d)   when they came unsolicited

Ans: ()

2. Lorimer was a good editor because

(a)   his reply to the angry writer was polite

(b)   he apologized for rejecting the story without reading it

(c)   he could find the worth of a story with a little effort

(d)   he was prompt, in writing letters

Ans: ()

The lady wrote a huffy letter because

(a)   her story was rejected

(b)   her story was rejected unread

(c)   her story was rejected although it was good

(d)   Lormer was biased in his decision

Ans: ()

3. Lorimer’s reply was

(a)   irrelevant

(b)   rude

(c)   witty

(d)   funny

Ans: ()

4. Lormier read the stories

(a)   because he enjoyed reading them

(b)   in order to publish them

(c)   only to find fault with them

(d)   in order to review them

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-I Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-I 2011 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 38 (Level 1)

Literature and history are twin sisters, inseparable. IN the day so fur own grandfathers, and for many generations before them, the basis of education was the Greek and Roman classics for the educated, and the Bible for all. In the Classical authors and in the Bible, history and literature were closely intervolved, and it is that circumstance which made the old form of education so stimulating to the thought and imagination of our ancestors. To read the classical authors and to read the Bible was to read at once the history and the literature of the three greatest races of the ancient world. No doubt the classical and the Bible were read in a manner we now consider uncritical but they were read according to the best tenets of the time and formed a great humanistic education. Today the study both the classis and of the Bible was dwindled to small proportions. What has taken their place ? To some extent the vacuum has been filled by a more correct knowledge of history and a wider range of literature. But I fear that the greater part of it has been filled up with rubbish.

1. Which of the following statements best reflects the underlying tone of the passage ?

(a)   Literature and history are mutually exclusive

(b)   Literature and history are complementary to each other

(c)   The study of literature is meaning less without any knowledge of history.

(d)   Literature and history are inseparably linked together in the classics and the Bible

Ans: ()

2. The author of the above passage says that in the past the basis of education for all people, irrespective of their intellectual caliber, was

(a)   Greek and Roman classics

(b)   The Bible

(c)   A correct knowledge of history

(d)   A wider range of literature

Ans: ()

3. The author of the above passage say that the classics and Bible were read by this ancestors

(a)   methodically and with discretion

(b)   in a manner that broadened their view of life

(c)   with great emphasis of their literary values

(d)   without critical discrimination but in the light of their humanistic culture

Ans: ()

4. According to the author of the above passage the old form of education, based on the study of the classics and of the Bible, has

(a)   succeeded in creating interest in history

(b)   laid the gradual decline in our time

(c)   had a gradual decline in our time

(d)   been rejuvenated in the context of modem education

Ans: ()

5. The author of the above passage fears that the greater part of the vacuum created by lack of interest in the classics and the Bible has been filled up by

(a)   a richer sense of history

(b)   a wider range of literature

(c)   worthless ideas

(d)   a news philosophy of life

Ans: ()

(Source: CDS-I Exam Paper English – 2011)

CDS-II 2012 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 37 (Level 1)

Martin had many little tricks highly entertaining to his son. On an evening, returning from the market, he would buy a paper mask, the head of a hissing dragon. He would put it on and knock at the door. On opening the door, the boy would be terrified for a moment, but only for a moment, for he would soon remove it and the two would roll with laughter. Tom would, then go out with the mask and knock at the door for his father to open. Martin and to act as if he was paralysed with fear.

QUESTIONS:

1. Martin played his little tricks because

(A) he was very much interested in them 

(B) he wanted to terrify his son 

(C) his son got pleasure from them 

(D) it was his habit to make tricks 

Answer: (C)

2. Which of the following statements is the most appropriate description of the mask?

(A) It is a mask looking like a dragon with long tail and covering the whole body of Martin 

(B) It is a mask looking like the head of a dragon with its tongue hanging out 

(C) It is a mask looking like an animal with horns, wings and a pair of ferocious eyes emitting fire 

(D) It is a mask looking like the head to a king cobra 

Answer: (B)

3. The father and son rolled with laughter after the

(A) father put on the mask 

(B) opening of thedoor 

(C) son saw the mask 

(D) father remove the mask 

Answer: (D)

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2012)

CDS-II 2012 English comprehension Question Paper Passage 36 (Level 1)

For day I trudged from one property-dealer to another, from one “to-et” notice to another, with the estimated advance money tucked safely in the inner lining of my handbag, but in vain. At one place they needed a couple, at another  a young man, and at another they wished to know my employment status. And I realized that I was a freak called the single woman and the job status being nothing more than a freelance writer with hardly any assignments in hand, only dreams of making it some day. So the dream-house remained far away, gradually turning into a fantasy.

QUESTIONS:

1. The author “trudged from one property-dealer to another” mean that the author

(A) had to walk a lot of distance 

(B) had to do a brisk walk to save the time 

(C) visited several property-dealers without any success 

(D) acquired a good knowledge about the property-dealers of that area 

Answer: (C)

2. acquired a good knowledge about the property-dealers of that area

(A) a novelist 

(B) an independent writer 

(C) a publisher of journals 

(D) an unemployed person 

Answer: (B)

3. Which of the following statements best reflects the underlying tone of the passage ?

(A) People always let out their houses to well employed persons only 

(B) People always let out their houses only to couples 

(C) Single jobless women find it difficult to rent a house 

(D) Women always dream of a house 

Answer: (C)

(Source: CDS-II Exam Paper English – 2012)

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