SBI PO Mains 2017: English Quiz based on New Pattern

Questions 1 to 10: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

1.

(a) The history of Modern Industry’s performance, which is marginal at best, may be an indication of solvency problems that will occur in the future.

(b) Modern industry’s history of marginal performance may indicate solvency problems in the future.

(c) The history of marginal performance of Modern Industry may indicate future solvency problems.

(d) Modern Industry’s history of performance, which is marginal at best, may indicate future solvency problems.

2.

(a) On the whole food front one may say that we can enjoy festivals in the consciousness that though some things are dear, the basic foods are better in quality and still low in price.

(b) We can enjoy festivals knowing that though some things are clear, the basic foods are of better quality and still low in price.

(c) Although we know that some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals because the basic foods are better in quality and low in price.

(d) On the whole food front, although some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals as the basic foods are of better quality and quite cheap.

3.

(a) The dull are likely to have a limited conceptual grasp.

(b) It is unlikely that the dull would have adequate conceptual grasp.

(c) The dull are not likely to grasp concepts easily.

(d) It is unlikely that the dull can grasp concepts easily.

4.

(a) I request you to kindly deliver to me a tin of milk powder.

(b) Could you please send me a tin of milk powder?

(c) May I request you to please send me a tin of milkpowder?

(d) Can I have milk powder sent to me please?

5.

(a) There is no question of it not being possible to freeze you to death and wake you up as and when you want.

(b) There is no question of it not being possible to freeze you to death and wake you up whenever you want.

(c) Undoubtedly, it should be possible to freeze you to death and wake you up whenever you want.

(d) Undoubtedly, it should be possible to freeze you to death and wake you up when you want.

6.

(a) Finally, there will be unexpected, unanticipated implicational consequences of this development concerning human life.

(b) This development concerning human life will finally have unanticipated consequences.

(c) This development concerning human life will finally have unexpected and unanticipated implications.

(d) This development concerning human life will finally have unexpected implications.

7.

(a) His definition of reality has first to be made coincident with the point of view adopted by the author whom he is discussing.

(b) His definition of reality has first to be made coincident with the point of view adopted by the author who he is discussing.

(c) His definition has to first agree with the point of view adopted by the author he is discussing.

(d) His definition of reality has first to coincide with the point of view adopted by the author he is discussing.

8.

(a) I should be very much obliged if you could be kind enough to send me the required material.

(b) I should be much obliged if you could send me the required material.

(c) I should be very much obliged if you could kindly send me the required material.

(d) I should be grateful and very much obliged if you could kindly send me the required material.

9.

(a) I am sorry, a prior engagement prevents me from joining you at dinner on Monday.

(b) I regret to say that I am very sorry that a previous engagement will prevent me from joining you at dinner on Monday.

(c) I regret to inform you that because of a previous engagement I will be prevented from joining you at dinner on Monday.

(d) I am sorry to say that I am unable to join you at dinner on Monday because of a prior engagement.

10.

(a) Looking back, our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.

(b) Looking at it with hindsight our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.

(c) On hindsight we find that our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.

(d) On hindsight, our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.

Answers & Solutions:

1. c Here “marginal performance” has to be emphasized. The sentence in option (c) does that most convincingly. In option (b), using “of” after the possessive makes the sentence awkward. Option (a) and (d) talk about the marginal nature of performance as additional information rather than foregrounding it.

2. c The constructions in (a) and (d) are wordy and awkward. The use of the concessive clause in (c) (Although we know that some things are dear) clearly communicates why we can still enjoy festivals.

3. c Choice (c) uses the simplest and most concise words. ‘Conceptual grasp’ is incomplete and needs to be followed by a preposition and an object.

4. b Choice (b) uses the appropriate degree of politeness. Choice (d) is wrong as it does not tell how much milk powder is required. Others are overtly polite.

5. c ‘Whenever’ implies at any time, hence (c) is a better choice than (d). Other choices are unnecessarily wordy.

6. b ‘Unexpected’ and ‘unanticipated’ are synonyms, so using both in a sentence is redundant. Moreover ‘consequence’ is a better word to suggest the result of something on something else.

7. c The appropriate idiomatic use is ‘definition should agree with’.

8. b “Much obliged’ serves the same purpose as ‘very much obliged’ and is thus preferable.

9. d The sentence in (a) features a comma splice error. A comma has been used to connect two independent clauses. (b) and (c) feature awkward sentence constructions. In sentence (d) the simple present tense is used to talk about a future event/ schedule.

10. a “Looking back’ is the correct idiomatic usage. It means “remembering” or “reflecting” something.