PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK CLERK EXAM

Punjab National Bank Clerk Exam., 2009
English Language : Solved Paper
(Held on 20-9-2009)

Directions—(Q. 1–10) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

In a great Palace by the sea, there once dwelt a very rich old lord, who had only one little grand daughter, whose face he had never seen in all her life. He hated her bitterly, because at her birth his daughter died; and when the old nurse brought him the baby, he swore, that he would never look on her face as long as she lived. So he turned his back, and sat by his window looking out over the sea, shedding tears for his lost daughter. Meanwhile, his grand daughter grew up with no one to care for her, or clothe her. An old nurse would sometimes give her a dish of scraps from the kitchen, or an torn dress from the rag-bag. Soon she became known as “Tattercoats”, amongst all as she always wore torn out dresses. And so she grew up, with little to eat or wear, spending her days in the fields and lanes, with only a herd of parrots for a companion.

One day, people told each other that the King was travelling to their town and was to give a great party to all the lords and ladies of the country, where the Prince, his only son, was to choose a wife. Tattercoats had heard of the event in the town. She was excited as she had never been to a party. However, she was heartbroken when she soon realized that her grandfather would never take her to the party.

The parrots listened to her story and proposed that they should go together into the town but she looked sorrowfully down at her rags and bare feet. She said that in such attire, the king’s men would never let her enter the town. She sat under a tree crying and sobbing. Just then a handsome young man, splendidly dressed, rode up and stopped to ask the way to the town as he had lost it and had been wandering in the area for a long time without a clue about the directions. Tattercoats explained the way to the town to him. The young man was charmed by her beauty and simplicity but soon realized that she was upset. On asking the reason the parrots told him the whole story. The young man felt sad for Tattercoats. He returned the next day with a beautiful gown and jewels and gave her so that she could wear these to the king’s party. Tattercoats looked astonished and refused to accept the expensive gifts. The young man however insisted that she must accept these as a token of thanks for helping him finding the way to the town when he was lost.

Finally when night came, the hall in the castle was full of light and music and the lords and ladies were dancing before the King. Soon Tattercoats entered, followed by the flock of chirpy parrots. She walked straight up the party hall while the ladies whispered, the lords laughed, and the King seated at the far end stared in amazement. But as they came in front of the throne, a young man rose from beside the King and came to greet her. Much to Tattercoat’s surprise he was the same young man whom she had told the way to the town. Taking her by the hand he turned to the King.

“Father !” he said, for he was the Prince himself, “I have made my choice, and here is my bride, the loveliest girl in all the land, and the sweetest as well !” The king was proud of his son’s decision and as he rose to greet his daughter-in-law, the trumpets sounded loudly in honour of the new Princess.

The couple lived happily ever after. The parrot herd continued to be the best companion of the princess. Her grandfather, however, bound by his vow could never see his granddaughter – Tattercoats – the princess in his entire life.

1. What did the handsome young man ask Tattercoats on his way to the town ?
(A) He asked her to accompany him to the town.
(B) He asked her to accept the gifts he had brought for her.
(C) He promised her that the prince would choose her as his wife during the party.
(D) He asked for the directions to the town as he had lost his way.
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)


2. What was the King’s intention in throwing a party in the town ?
(A) To please the rich landlords and ladies of the town.
(B) So that his only son could select a wife for himself.
(C) He was happy that his son had chosen Tattercoats as his wife.
(D) He wanted to visit the town as he had never visited it before.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

3. Why did Tattercoats cry even when the parrots offered to accompany her to the King’s party ?
(A) She did not have good clothes and shoes to wear for the occasion.
(B) She feared that her grandfather would punish her for attending the party.
(C) She had lost her way to the town on her way to the town.
(D) The lords and the ladies at the party had made fun of her appearance.
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

4. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
(A) The rich landlord finally forgave her granddaughter.
(B) Tattercoats always had a comfortable childhood since her grandfather was a wealthy landlord.
(C) A prince had asked Tattercoats for the way to the town.
(D) Tattercoats was never able to attend the party held by the King.
(E) All are true
Ans : (C)

5. What did the young man do when Tattercoats refused to accept the gifts ?
(A) He had to take the gifts back.
(B) He was impressed by her self respect and decided to marry her.
(C) He said that unless she accepts the gifts she would not be able to attend the party.
(D) He promised to buy more expensive gifts for her.
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

6. Why did the rich landlord swear never to see his granddaughter’s face ?
(A) He was upset that she had married the prince against his wish.
(B) He always wanted a grandson and not a granddaughter.
(C) He held her responsible for the death of his daughter.
(D) He was upset with her since she did not take good care of him.
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

7. How did the King react to his son’s decision to marry Tattercoats ?
(A) He was upset since his son had chosen her over the rich and wealthy ladies present in the party.
(B) He was very happy with his son’s decision and gladly welcomed Tattercoats.
(C) He was unhappy with the marriage as he had sworn never to see Tattercoats’s face in his life.
(D) He stared in amazement and laughed at his son’s choice.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

8. Which of the following best describes Tattercoats ?
(A) Shrewed
(B) Manipulative
(C) Opportunist
(D) Clever
(E) Beautiful
Ans : (E)

9. Why did the rich landlord’s granddaughter become known as Tattercoats ?
(A) She was named so by her parents.
(B) Her grandfather named her so as he hated her and wanted her to be mocked around by the people
(C) She liked to play around with parrots who were her only companions
(D) She was always dressed in old and torn out clothes.
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

10. Which of the following statements regarding the prince is true ?
(A) He wanted to marry a rich and wealthy lady.
(B) He did not allow Tattercoats to attend the party hosted by the king.
(C) He made a joke of Tattercoats’ attire and condition
(D) A herd of parrots were his only friends in the whole world
(E) None of the above statements is true
Ans : (E)

Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. BITTERLY
(A) Tastelessly
(B) Intensely
(C) Rudely
(D) Eagerly
(E) Purposefully
Ans : (B)

12. ASTONISHED
(A) Happy
(B) Shocked
(C) Embarrassed
(D) Surprised
(E) Frightened
Ans : (D)

13. VOW
(A) Pledge
(B) Sacrifice
(C) Assurance
(D) Declaration
(E) Announcement
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 14 –15) Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. SPLENDIDLY
(A) Wisely
(B) Unfairly
(C) Rudely
(D) Reluctantly
(E) Unimpressively
Ans : (E)

15. CHARMED
(A) Offended
(B) Stunned
(C) Repulsed
(D) Jealous
(E) Outraged
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 16–25) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)

16. They asked him (A) / how did he received (B) / the wound but he (C) / refused to answer. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

17. Babar was not only (A) / a great soldier, (B) / but also a (C) / very wisest ruler. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

18. Weather permitting, (A) / there will be a (B) / garden party on (C) / the farm house tomorrow. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

19. As the airplane was (A) / ready for takeoff, (B) / the passengers and the crew (C) / fastened themselves’ seatbelts. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

20. The teacher admires Rahul (A) / as he has always (B) / admired students which (C) / speak the truth. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

21. Instead of running (A) / as fast as possible (B) / he could not (C) / win the race. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

22. The meeting was not (A) / of much help (B) / as there was too much talk (C) / and little work. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

23. Reema is the tallest (A) / of my two daughters (B) / eventhough she is (C) / 5 years younger. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

24. The walls of the house (A) / are made of stone (B) / whereas the floor (C) / is made of wood. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

25. His son has make (A) / much progress in life (B) / owing to his (C) / hard work and determination. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following Six sentences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them—
(a) It can be done in many simple ways such as turning off the taps, fixing leaks on time and reusing used water etc.
(b) Only 1% of all the water on the Earth is usable.
(c) With such growth rate it is important that we conserve water, use it wisely and not waste it.
(d) The rest is either salt water or permanently frozen.
(e) If everyone makes efforts to follow these simple ways, the water crisis would be solved to a great extent.
(f) As population grows, more and more people are using this limited resource.

26. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (c)
(C) (d)
(D) (e)
(E) (f)
Ans : (A)

27. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (c)
(C) (d)
(D) (e)
(E) (f)
Ans : (C)

28. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (d)
(D) (e)
(E) (f)
Ans : (E)

29. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (b)
(B) (c)
(C) (e)
(D) (d)
(E) (f)
Ans : (B)

30. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (e)
(E) (f)
Ans : (D)

Directions—(Q. 31–35) In each of the following questions Six words are given which are denoted by (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f). By using all the six words, each only once, you have to frame a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. The correct order of words is the answer. Choose from the five alternatives, the one having the correct order of words and mark it as your answer.

31. (a) IS
(b) LIVING
(c) HE
(d) GREATEST
(e) POET
(f) THE
(A) CAFBDE
(B) CAFEDB
(C) CAFDBE
(D) FDBEAC
(E) FDBCEA
Ans : (C)

32. (a) CAR
(b) YOURS
(c) IS
(d) THAN
(e) MY
(f) FASTER
(A) EACFBD
(B) BACFDE
(C) BACFED
(D) EAFCDB
(E) EACFDB
Ans : (E)

33. (a) A
(b) HONOUR
(c) HE
(d) OF
(e) IS
(f) MAN
(A) AFDBCE
(B) CEAFDB
(C) AFDBEC
(D) CEAFBD
(E) CEFADB
Ans : (B)

34. (a) YOUNGER
(b) DOCTOR
(c) IS
(d) MY
(e) A
(f) SISTER
(A) DAFCEB
(B) EABCDF
(C) EABDCF
(D) DAFECB
(E) DABCDF
Ans : (A)

35. (a) SUPPORTED
(b) HE
(c) CLAIMS
(d) FRIEND’S
(e) HIS
(f) FULLY
(A) BFADEC
(B) BFAEDC
(C) EDCBFA
(D) EDBCFA
(E) BFACDE
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 36–40) In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word, if any, which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E), i.e., ‘All correct’ as your answer.

36. Although (A) it was the first time the King had lead his troupes (B) to the battle, he showed (C) remarkable (D) courage. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

37. As the dinner was ready (A) the hosts requested (B) everyone to procede (C) to the dining (D) hall. All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

38. The police stopped (A) him and asked for the lisence (B) which he unfortunately (C) did not carry while going (D) for the drive. All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

39. His father thought (A) that he had moe potential (B) to become (C) an engineer then (D) a doctor. All correct (E)
Ans : (D)

40. The doctors at the hospital says (A) that he will be absolutely (B) fine within a week’s time, given (C) that he follows their advice. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 41–50) 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.

One day in the King’s Court, Birbal happened to have an argument with Akbar. The casual argument soon became very hot. Akbar, being a very sensitive king, got very angry and …(41)… Birbal to get out of his Palace and also his kingdom. Birbal had to …(42)… the King’s order and left the court immediately. After a couple of days, Akbar couldn’t stop …(43)… about Birbal. He …(44)… him very much and wanted to bring him back to the court. But, Birbal was missing and could not be …(45)… anywhere. Soon Akbar got an idea and made an …(46)… to the kingdom saying “I would reward 1,000 gold coins to the person who can walk in the Sun with half shade on him.”

The very next day a villager came to the court. It was a hot sunny day and the villager was holding a String Cot above his head. He came to Akbar and said “Oh’ King ! I walked in the sun and by holding this string cot over my head, I have half shade on me. So, please …(47)… over my reward” At once Akbar understood that it must be the plan of Birbal. He asked the villager who taught him this idea. The Villager …(48)… that it was Birbal’s …(49)…. On hearing this Akbar was very happy. He requested Birbal to come back to the palace and they had a happy …(50)….

41. (A) proposed
(B) requested
(C) invited
(D) ordered
(E) arrange
Ans : (D)

42. (A) defy
(B) obey
(C) adhere
(D) comply
(E) deny
Ans : (B)

43. (A) missing
(B) disappointing
(C) hating
(D) consider
(E) thinking
Ans : (E)

44. (A) missed
(B) hated
(C) avoided
(D) ignored
(E) scolded
Ans : (A)

45. (A) met
(B) placed
(C) gathered
(D) found
(E) familiarized
Ans : (D)

46. (A) appeal
(B) order
(C) announcement
(D) enquiry
(E) suggestion
Ans : (C)

47. (A) give
(B) hand
(C) provide
(D) supply
(E) deliver
Ans : (B)

48. (A) confessed
(B) pleaded
(C) appealed
(D) ashamed
(E) appreciated
Ans : (A)

49. (A) conspiracy
(B) indication
(C) fraud
(D) trap
(E) suggestion
Ans : (E)

50. (A) unite
(B) joining
(C) recovery
(D) reunion
(E) retrieval
Ans : (D)