Union Bank of India Clerk Exam., 2010

Union Bank of India Clerk Exam., 2010
(Held on 10-1-2010)
General English : Solved Paper

Directions—(Q. 1–5) 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 boldly printed words may be either wrongly spelt 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 boldly printed words are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e., ‘All Correct’ as your answer.

1. RBI is unwilling (A) to enforce (B) these reuglations as these will discourage (C) investment. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (E)

2. Many Indian firms have entry (A) into partnership (B) with foreign (C) ones of late. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (A)

3. This is a prime (A) example (B) of what the government can achieve (C) if it is determine. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (D)


4. They managed (A) to accomplice (B) this by coming (C) up with unique (D) schemes. All Correct (E)
Ans : (B)

5. In such circumstanses (A) do not take unnecessary (B) risks (C) with your savings. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 6–20) 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.

Rajendra was a landlord. He had made a lot of money by cheating and ill-treating his laboures who worked in the fields. One day, a young man named Mani came to Rajendra, asking for work. Rajendra was pleasantly surprised. No one had ever wanted to work for him because of his reputation, and here was someone walking right into his house ! Mani’s next few words surprised him even more. Mani said, “I will work for you for free. Only give me a place to sleep, two sets of clothes and two square meals a day.” Rajendra was beside himself with joy when he heard this and was about to agree, when Mani added, “I have only one condition : I will tell you the truth always, but one day in the year, I will lie.”

Rajendra, who lied happily everyday of the year, agreed to this odd condition. So Mani began working for him. He was a wonderful worker–hard-working and trustworthy. He was very honest and soon became Rajendra’s right-hand man. Because of Mani’s hard work, Rajendra had an excellent harvest. He and his wife, Manda, decided to have a big feast to celebrate. They invited all their relatives and friends, from the village and outside as well. Everyone was looking forward to the delicious feast being planned. On the morning of the feast, Rajendra decided he would also give away some gifts to his relatives, just to show off. So he set off for the market in his cart.

As soon as he was out of sight, Mani went running to Manda. He wept loudly and beat his chest. Then he fell on the floor, sobbing and announced, “The master is dead ! The cart overturned on the road. Our master has been flattened like a chapatti !” As soon as Rajendra’s wife and relatives heard this, they started wailing. Mani rushed out, saying he would bring back the body, while everyone started preparing for the last rites. Mani now went running to his master and said, “Master ! Your wife is dead. A cobra bit her and she fell to the ground, as blue as the spring sky.” Rajendra was stunned. What ! His beloved Manda, his partner in all his schemes, was dead ! He hurried home shouting her name.

Manda too was weeping loudly, sitting in the courtyard. When she saw her husband run in, she stopped mid-wail, and Rajendra too stoodopen mouthed. Then they fell into each other’s arms, unable to believe their eyes.

As one, they turned to Mani. “What is the meaning of this, Mani ?” His master angrily demanded. Mani smiled. “Remember my condition, that I would lie once in the year ? Well, I chose today. You see what lies can do ? Now think what happens to the people whom you lie to everyday of the year !” Saying this, he walked out, leaving behind a stunned and ashamed landlord.

6. Why did Mani want to work for Rajendra ?
(A) Rajendra offered him food, clothing and shelter.
(B) To learn from Rajendra who was a successful businessman.
(C) To earn his trust so he could take over the business one day.
(D) He wanted to show Rajendra the error of his ways.
(E) Rajendra did not mind bad habit of telling lies.
Ans : (D)

7. Why did Rajendra shout at Mani one day ?
(1) Mani had lied to Rajendra and his wife causing them to fight.
(2) The feast had to be cancelled because of Mani and Rajendra suffered huge losses.
(3) He had embarrassed his wife and him in front of their friends and relatives.
(A) None
(B) Only (1)
(C) Only (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (D)

8. What was Rajendra’s immediate reaction on hearing the news of his wife’s ‘death’ ?
(A) He panicked because his wife was responsible for them being rich.
(B) He ran home at once because he doubted Mani’s honesty.
(C) He was very upset and rushed home at once.
(D) He wanted to make funeral arrangements.
(E) He went home to inform everyone that the feast was cancelled.
Ans : (C)

9. Why did Rajendra go out on the day of the feast ?
(A) He wanted to share his good fortune with his relatives.
(B) He took gifts for his relatives who were not as well off as he was.
(C) He wanted to boast about his prosperity to his relatives.
(D) To purchase groceries required for the feast from the market.
(E) He wanted to personally invite his relatives who lived outside the village.
Ans : (C)

10. Why did Mani work very hard for Rajendra ?
(A) He took pride in his work and wanted to ensure a good harvest.
(B) He was grateful to Rajendra for giving him a job.
(C) He knew Rajendra would share the profit with his right hand man.
(D) He considered himself as part to Rejendra’s family.
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

11. Why did Rajendra accept Mani’s condition ?
(A) He did not value honesty.
(B) He had no intention of letting Mani fulfill it.
(C) He was an expert at detecting when people lied.
(D) He knew how difficult it was to stop lying.
(E) He predicted that Mani would be an excellent worker.
Ans : (D)

12. Why did Mani lie to Manda ?
(A) Out of revenge for not being invited to the feast.
(B) To find out whether Rajendra’s relatives cared about him or his wealth.
(C) To help her realise how much Rajendra meant to her.
(D) To delay the start of the feast as his master had not yet arrived.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

13. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(A) Rajendra was ashamed only because Mani had managed to trick him.
(B) Mani had many friends who were cheated by Rajendra.
(C) Rajendra was a miser because despite being wealthy he travelled by cart.
(D) Mani was clever and a good actor.
(E) Manda was an excellent cook and had prepared a delicious feast.
Ans : (C)

14. Which of the following can be said about Manda ?
(1) She trusted Mani more than Rajendra.
(2) She had a good relationship with her husband’s relatives.
(3) She was dishonest.
(A) None
(B) Only (3)
(C) Only (1) and (3)
(D) Only (2) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (A)

15. What opinion did Rajendra’s workers have of him ?
(A) He was generous for paying them and providing for their basic needs.
(B) He was a cheat and he exploited them.
(C) He was a weak man who listened only to his wife.
(D) He was unfair to his workers and paid each a different salary.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 16–18) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

16. Pleasantly
(A) Extremely
(B) Delightfully
(C) Charming
(D) Friendly
(E) Coolly
Ans : (A)

17. Right
(A) Suitable
(B) Legally
(C) Accurately
(D) Straight
(E) Immediately
Ans : (D)

18. Wailing
(A) Crying
(B) Complaining
(C) Shouting
(D) Tears
(E) Grumbling
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 19–20) Choose the word or group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

19. Celebrate
(A) Insult
(B) Reject
(C) Dishonour
(D) Mourn
(E) Infamous
Ans : (C)

20. Planned
(A) Organised
(B) Deliberate
(C) Cancelled
(D) Informal
(E) Automatic
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 21–25) 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. Being generous by nature, the king offered them a meal and treated them kindly.
2. In appreciation the king ordered a stew to be prepared for the feast in honour of the farmer.
3. The king welcomed them too and placed before each a bowl of water saying. “This is the stew of the stew of the hare !”
4. A few days later, a few people came to the court claiming to be neighbours of the farmer.
5. A poor farmer presented a fine hare to the king.
6. Not long afterwards a large number of people appeared at the palace and introduced themselves as neighbours of the neighbours of the farmer.

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

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

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

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

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

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make it meaningful and grammatically correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and No correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.

26. It is too early to say how the impact the new tax will have on investors.
(A) what impact
(B) that the impact
(C) how much impacts
(D) what are the impacts of
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)

27. Unfortunately many of our towns and cities do have more good transportation systems.
(A) have a good
(B) not have good
(C) not have much good
(D) not having better
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)

28. Banks charge differently rate of interest depending on the size of the loan.
(A) difference in rate of interests
(B) differently what rate of interest
(C) different rates of interest
(D) the different rate of interest
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)

29. It is necessary that we take any steps to reduce pollution soon.
(A) we should take every
(B) we have taken no
(C) us to take any
(D) we take some
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)

30. Kindly ask his advice regarding the various health insurance policies presently available.
(A) him to advise that
(B) regarding his advice
(C) that he should advise
(D) about his advice
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

Directions—(Q. 31–40) Read the 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. The scheme has been (A) / implemented only in these (B) / part of the country and the (C) / Prime Minister will visit it shortly. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

32. The company has (A) / decided to sell half (B) / of it shares (C) / to a Chinese firm. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

33. Rajiv has won a prize of (A) / two million dollars which (B) / has to be shared (C) / with all his team members. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

34. We have an account (A) / with this bank and (B) / find the staff much (C) / helpful and knowledgeable. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

35. By opening so many (A) / branches in such a (B) / short time, they have (C) / used the wrong strategy. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

36. I do not understand (A) / about how the payment (B) / was made without (C) / the manager’s permission. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

37. We have been (A) / telling them to (B) / drive carefully but (C) / they are never listening. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

38. During the interview (A) / with the General Manager (B) / I asked her what challenges (C) / she was faced. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

39. There is all sorts (A) / of regulations that have (B) / to be met before (C) / we get a licence. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

40. Today we are closer (A) / to reaching an agreement (B) / than we were (C) / a few months ago. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

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.

For as long as I can remember I have thought of myself as a teacher and I still do even today. But in 1965 I decided to …(41)… my hand at business. So I …(42)… my father to allow me to …(43)… up a printing and packaging plant. I …(44)… the project proposal and applied for a …(45)… Once it was approved I went …(46)… the challenges of employing the right …(47)… My project was successful and I …(48)… an attractive profit. Becoming a rich businessman …(49)… never my dream. It was just a …(50)… of proving to myself and my family that I could be a success in buisness. This experience also gave me a lot of selfconfidence.

41. (A) attempt
(B) try
(C) give
(D) show
(E) use
Ans : (B)

42. (A) permitted
(B) appealed
(C) offered
(D) persuaded
(E) prevailed
Ans : (D)

43. (A) built
(B) raise
(C) stand
(D) begin
(E) set
Ans : (E)

44. (A) extended
(B) prepared
(C) thought
(D) formulate
(E) draft
Ans : (B)

45. (A) loan
(B) post
(C) leave
(D) job
(E) relief
Ans : (A)

46. (A) through
(B) ahead
(C) for
(D) away
(E) under
Ans : (A)

47. (A) equipment
(B) knowledge
(C) behaviour
(D) role
(E) people
Ans : (E)

48. (A) gain
(B) benefited
(C) obtain
(D) reap
(E) made
Ans : (E)

49. (A) fulfilled
(B) pursued
(C) was
(D) had
(E) stayed
Ans : (C)

50. (A) state
(B) certificate
(C) way
(D) proof
(E) direction
Ans : (B)