Corporation Bank Clerk Exam., 2009

Corporation Bank Clerk Exam., 2009

(Held on 29-11-2009)

English Language : Solved Paper


Directions—(Q. 1–15) 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.

Once upon a time, there lived a herd of elephants at the bottom of the majestic Himalayas. Their leader was a rare white elephant who was an extremely kind-hearted soul. He greatly loved his mother who had grown blind and feeble and could not look out for herself. Each day this white elephant would go deep into the forest in search of food. He would look for the best of fruits to send to his mother through other elephants of the herd. But his mother never received any. This was because the other members of the herd would always eat them up themselve. Each night, when he returned home he would be surprised to hear that his mother had been starving all day. He was absolutely disgusted with his herd. Then one day, he decided to leave them all behind and disappeared in the middle of the night along with his dear mother. He took her to Mount Candorana to live in a cave besides a beautiful lake.

It so happened that one day, when the white elephant was feeding, he heard loud cries. A forester from Benaras had lost his way in the forest and was absolutely terrified. The white elephant told him not to worry as he knew every inch of this forest and could take him to safety. He then lifted him on to his back and carried him to the edge of the forest from where the forester went on his merry way back to Benaras.


On reaching the city, he heard that King’s personal elephant had just died and the King was looking for a new elephant. His heralds were roaming the city, announcing that any man who had seen or heard of an elephant fit for a king should come forward with the information. The forester was very excited and immediately went up to the King and told him about the white elephant that he had seen on Mount Candorana. The King was quite pleased with the information and immediately dispatched a number of soldiers and elephant trainers along with the forester. After travelling for many days, the group reached the lake besides which the elephants resided. They slowly crept down to the edge of the lake and hid behind the bushes. The white elephant was collecting lotus shoots for his mother’s meal and could sense the presence of humans. When he looked up, he spotted the forester and realized that it was he who had led the King’s men to him. He was very upset at the ingratitude but decided not to put up a struggle as many of the men would be killed. And he was just too kind to hurt anyone. So he decided to go along with them to Benaras and then seek a solution to this problem.

On reaching the beautiful city of Benaras, the trainers laid out a feast for their new State elephant but he refused to touch a morsel. He did not respond to any kind of stimuli, be it the fragrant flowers or the beautiful and comfortable stable. He just sat there looking completely despondent. The King was extremely concerned. He offered the elephant food from the royal table and asked him why he grieved in this manner. The white elephant replied that he would not eat a thing until he met his mother back home on Mount Candorana as she must be hungry because she was blind and had no one to feed her and take care of her. He was afraid that she would die. The compassionate King was touched by the elephant’s story and assured him that his soldiers would bring his old mother to the palace as soon as possible. The king kept his promise and his soldiers took good care of his mother as well for as long as she lived. She blessed the kind King with peace, prosperity and joy till the end of his days. In this way the white elephant could serve the king and also enjoy the royal perks at the king’s palace along with his mother.

1. What did the white elephant do when he realised that his mother had been starving even though he had been sending food for her ?
(A) He punished his herd members and told them to leave the jungle
(B) He went to Benaras to report the happenings of the herd to the King
(C) With the help of the King’s soldiers, he got the herd members killed
(D) He and his mother left the herd behind
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

2. What did the King do when the forester told him about a white elephant ?
(A) He rewarded the forester with lots of valuables
(B) He sent his soldiers to the forest to bring the white elephant to Benaras
(C) He sent his soldiers to the forest to hunt down the white elephant
(D) He ordered the forester to bring the white elephant to him from the forest
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

3. Why did the white elephant’s mother never receive the fruits sent by her son ?
(A) The other members of the herd would eat up the fruits themselves instead of taking them to her
(B) The King’s soldiers blocked her food supply in order to make her weak and capture her to be taken to the King
(C) Because the King would never let any food sent by the white elephant reach his mother
(D) Because the ungrateful forester sold the fruits collected by the white elephant in Benaras
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

4. Why was the forester terrified and crying for help in the forest ?
(A) He was scared to see a white elephant
(B) The elephant had lifted him forcefully to his back
(C) He wanted to warn the white elephant against the King’s men
(D) He had lost his way and wanted someone’s help
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

5. Why did the white elephant collect food for his mother daily ?
(A) The king did not provide food to the elephant’s mother
(B) All the elephants from the herd refused to collect food for the old mother elephant
(C) The elephant’s mother could not fend for herself
(D) The white elephant’s mother would not accept food from anyone but her son
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

6. Why did the white elephant not put up a struggle against the King’s soldiers ?
(A) He did not want anyone to get hurt in the struggle
(B) He was blind and feeble and thus could not put up a struggle
(C) He surrendered as he realised that he would not be able to fight so many soldiers
(D) He feared that the King may kill his mother if he did not go to the palace
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

7. Why was the white elephant upset to see the forester alongwith the King’s soldiers ?
(A) He had invited only the forester and not the King’s soldiers to the forest
(B) The king’s soldiers had arrested the forester for concealing the whereabouts of the white elephant
(C) He did not expect such ingratitude from the forester as he had helped him once
(D) The forester, alongwith the soldiers had captured the white elephant’s mother
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

8. Why was the white elephant unhappy and refused to eat in the King’s palace ?
(A) He was unhappy with the royal treatment and expected more comforts
(B) He was worried about his mother who was blind and weak
(C) He was protesting against the forester’s ingratitude towards him
(D) The King’s soldiers had injured him and his mother while captivating both of them
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

9. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(A) The forester could never go back to Benaras from the forest
(B) The white elephant’s herd members were co-operative and honest
(C) The forester ultimately became a good friend of the white elephant
(D) The white elephant’s mother was finally left alone in the forest
(E) None is true
Ans : (E)

10. Which of the following best describes the King as mentioned in the passage ?
(A) Ungrateful
(B) Weak & feeble
(C) Dishonest
(D) Sympathetic
(E) Ingenious
Ans : (D)

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. DISAPPEARED
(A) Hid
(B) Departed
(C) Escaped
(D) Disintegrated
(E) Strayed
Ans : (C)

12. SPOTTED
(A) Blemished
(B) Experienced
(C) Appeared
(D) Projected
(E) Saw
Ans : (E)

13. STRUGGLE
(A) Hardship
(B) Adversity
(C) Fight
(D) Striving
(E) Argument
Ans : (C)

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. FEEBLE
(A) Strong
(B) Intense
(C) Unbreakeable
(D) Preserved
(E) Substantial
Ans : (A)

15. EDGE
(A) Blunt
(B) Beginning
(C) Indoors
(D) Interiors
(E) Rim
Ans : (D)

Directions—(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is given and no correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.

16. If you would have taken the medicine, you could have gone to school today.
(A) If you would take
(B) Had you taken
(C) If you would be taking
(D) If you been taking
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)

17. Earning lots of money is one of the desires which are never satisfied—
(A) which are never satisfy
(B) who are never satisfied
(C) who is never satisfies
(D) which is never satisfied
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

18. The passage was so difficult that I could not comprehend it in the first reading—
(A) as difficult that
(B) so difficult as
(C) as difficult as
(D) very difficult that
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

19. Besides his wife, his children and other relatives also attends the function—
(A) too attends
(B) also attending
(C) also attended
(D) too attending
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)

20. Good leaders are always attentive towards his subordinates’ needs
(A) A god leader is
(B) Good leaders is
(C) Some good leader are
(D) All good leaders are
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 21–25) 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 misspelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate if any. 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.

21. He was unable (A) to give satisfactory (B) explanation for his absense (C) from the meeting. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

22. Much (A) countries are starting to turn (B) their attention (C) to new sources (D) of energy. All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

23. As the ship was sinking (A) fast, the captain (B) gave orders to abandon (C) it immediately. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (E)

24. The council (A) denied having any hand (B) in the recently (C) unearthed scandle. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (D)

25. Their (A) has been a series of abductions (B) of young children (C) of the schools in the area. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them—
(1) The man immediately got off the car, slapped the young boy who had thrown the brick and asked him why he did so ?
(2) The boy then requested the driver to help him since he was unable to lift his injured brother alone.
(3) The river stood to watch the young boy push the wheelchair down the road and decided to never repair the dent.
(4) A man was driving down a higway when a brick smashed on the side of his expensive, brand new car.
(5) Moved beyond words, the driver apologised to the young boy and quickly lifted his brother and provided first aid to him.
(6) The boy was in tears and said that he had to do so as no one on the highway had stopped to help his handicapped brother who had slipped from his wheelchair.

26. Which of the folloiwng should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (D)

27. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 1
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 5
Ans : (B)

28. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6
Ans : (E)

29. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6
Ans : (A)

30. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 31–40) 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.)

31. Hostility between the (A) / two groups have (B) / increased in the (C) / past few months. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

32. Her class is very special (A) / because it has children (B) / with many different (C) / abilities and skills. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

33. Many peoples were (A) / brought to safety (B) / by the army helicopters (C) / from the flood hit area. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

34. It is difficult to (A) / understand the problems (B) / that the physically challenged people (C) / encounters in their daily life. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

35. I had gone only a little way (A) / down the street (B) / when I realised that (C) / I had not lock the door. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

36. Mammoths were a (A) / species of elephants (B) / who lived millions of years ago (C) / but are now extinct. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

37. The sink is (A) / so dirty that (B) / one needs a very strong (C) / abrasive to cleaning it. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

38. The talks ended (A) / abruptly when on of (B) / the delegate walked (C) / out in protest. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

39. A twenty year old (A) / absconder was caught (B) / in a local restaurant (C) / this morning. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

40. If she will secure more than (A) / 90% marks in the exams (B) / I will give her (C) / a suitable reward. (D) No error (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. Findout the appropriate word in each case.

Once upon a time, there was a huge tree on the …(41)… of a river. The tree made a comfortable home for the family of birds who had built their nests on its branch. The birds were living there happily as the tree with its widespread branches provided …(42)… to them from scorching sun and heavy rains.

One day, when the …(43)… was overcast, it rained very heavily. Some monkeys, who were playing nearby the tree, got …(44)… and ran for shelter under the tree. All of them were …(45)… with cold. When the birds saw the monkeys in pitiable condition, one of the birds said, “O Monkeys ! If we can build our nest with small beaks,then why can’t you. By God’s grace, you have two hands and two legs. Why don’t you make a nice shelter for yourselves ?

On hearing this, the monkeys got …(46)… and swore to teach the birds a lesson. They said to themsleves. “These birds are not afraid of the rain or of cold wind. They are living comfortably that is why they are …(47)… us like this. Let the rain stop, we’ll show them how to build home”. As soon as the rain stopped, the monkeys …(48)… up the tree and …(49)… the nests of the birds. They also broke the birds’ eggs and threw the young ones down.

The poor birds flew here and there in misery. They were full of …(50)… for their words and realized that they should not have given advice that was not asked for. Advice should only be given to the learned, the wise and those who ask for it.

41. (A) waters
(B) middle
(C) bank
(D) bottom
(E) inside
Ans : (C)

42. (A) shelter
(B) house
(C) habitat
(D) filter
(E) fruits
Ans : (A)

43. (A) tree
(B) birds
(C) rain
(D) river
(E) sky
Ans : (E)

44. (A) shocked
(B) drenched
(C) drowned
(D) flooded
(E) immersed
Ans : (B)

45. (A) shaking
(B) wet
(C) angry
(D) shivering
(E) soaked
Ans : (D)

46. (A) inspired
(B) sorry
(C) annyed
(D) defensive
(E) tearful
Ans : (C)

47. (A) violating
(B) injuring
(C) drenching
(D) boasting
(E) criticizing
Ans : (E)

48. (A) travelled
(B) climbed
(C) ascended
(D) attacked
(E) mounted
Ans : (B)

49. (A) constructed
(B) occupied
(C) built
(D) destroyed
(E) inhabited
Ans : (D)

50. (A) regret
(B) pride
(C) pleasure
(D) hatred
(E) revenge
Ans : (A)