Indian Overseas Bank Clerk Exam., 2011

(Held on 29-5-2011)
English Language : Solved Paper



Directions– (Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.

Once upon a time, there was a shrewd shopkeeper called Makarand. He had a friend called Mihir, who had saved a lot of money. Mihir was keen on going on a pilgrimage, but he did not know where to leave his precious savings. So he came to Makarand's shop and said, "My friend, I trust you more than anyone. Could you please look after my life's savings till I return from my pilgrimage?" Makarand pretended to be deep in thought, and then said, "I would rather not. Money spoils relationships. What if something happens to your money while you are away? You will no longer be my friend.’’

As Mihir stood there by his shop thinking about what his friend had just said, an old woman entered the shop and bought some things. One of the boys helping Makarand, gave her less change than he should have. Maka-rand saw this and pretended to scold the boy, he then ordered him to return the remaining money to the woman. Mihir not knowing that this was an act put up by Makarand to make him believe that he was honest, was convinced about his decision and said to Makarand, "I have decided. I will leave the money only with you." Makarand smiled. "Then let us do something. Let's take the bag of coins and bury it in a place that only you and I will know of. That way, even if something happens to me while you are away, you will know where your money is."

Mihir, simple that he was, thought this was a good idea and the two went and hid the bag in a secret place. Mihir left the next day on his pilgrimage, happy his savings were in safe hands. Six months later, Mihir returned. He dumped his luggage at home and went to dig out his bag of savings. But even though he searched and searched for his valuables, there was no sign of the bag anywhere. In panic, he ran to Makarand, who was busy in his shop. When Mihir asked him about the bag, Makarand pretended to be surprised, "But I did not go that way in all these months. Why don't you search for it again ?" he said, putting on his most innocent look. Mihir had no choice but to believe him. Sadly, he went home.

On the way, as luck would have it, he met the old woman he had seen in Makarand's shop. Seeing him sad, she asked him what the matter was. Mihir told her the whole story .Then she smiled and whispered a plan to him. Not long after, the woman came to Makarand's shop, carrying a big box. "Brother, I heard you are a good and honest man. My son went on a pilgrimage many months ago and has still not returned. I am worried and have decided to go and look for him. Will you look after my box of two hundred gold coins while I am away ?"

Makarand could not believe his luck. He was about to launch into his idea about hiding the box, when an angry Mihir entered the shop, 'Where is …………' but before he could complete his sentence; Makarand, afraid of being accused in front of the old woman, said quickly, “I forgot. I had seen some pigs digging around there and had removed the bag just to keep it safe. Here it is.” And he handed Mihir the bag he had stolen many months ago.

Now, the old woman pretended she was seeing Mihir for the first time, "Son, did you also go on a pilgrimage? Could you tell me if you : met my son anywhere ? His name is ; Jahangir." Mihir, clutching onto his precious bag, said, "Yes, Auntie, I met him on the road a few villages r away. He was on his way to home. t He should be here in a week."

The old woman leaned over and took her box away from Makarand. "Thank you, brother, you have saved me an unnecessary trip. Now, I will need some money to prepare for my son's welcome," she added and the two left the shop. Makarand could only stare at them open-mouthed.

1. What incident in the passage convinced Mihir that Makarand was indeed an honest man ?
(a) The incident where he scolded his helper boy for returning less change to the old woman who was a customer in his shop.
(b) The fact that Makarand refused to keep Mihir's money, in the event that it might destroy their friendship.
(c) The incident where Makarand told Mihir that he had kept his bag with him as he saw pigs digging at the very spot where the treasure was buried.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Only (b) and (c)
(E) Only (a) and (c)
Ans : (A)

2. What was Makarand's real intention for wanting to bury Mihir's bag of valuables ?
(A) He wanted Mihir to know where the money would be in case something happened to him while Mihir was away
(B) He did not feel safe keeping Mihir's bag of valuables with him
(C) He wanted to steal the money while Mihir was away
(D) He wanted the pigs to dig out the bag so he could steal it
(E) He wanted to be a part of a far more adventurous plan
Ans : (C)

3. Where did Makarand and Mihir bury the bag of coins ?
(A) In a secret place in Mihir's garden
(B) In the ground under Makarand's shop
(C) In the old woman's backyard
(D) In his shop
(E) Not indicated in the passage
Ans : (E)


4. Which of the following is true with regard to Mihir ?
(A) Mihir accused Makarand of stealing his valuables
(B) Mihir helped the old woman find her son
(C) Mihir left his life's savings with the old woman
(D) Mihir trusted Makarand with his valuables
(E) Mihir strongly believed that keeping others' money spoilt relationships
Ans : (D)

5. Why did Mihir want to keep his life's savings with Makarand ?
(a) Makarand had a locker in his shop.
(b) He trusted his friend Makarand more than anyone else.
(c) He was scared that if he buried his savings, the pigs would dig it out.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Either (b) or (c)
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

6. Which of the following statements is false according to passage ?
(A) The old woman's son went on the same pilgrimage as Mihir
(B) The old woman helped Mihir recover his savings from Makarand
(C) Makarand was a very shrewd shopkeeper
(D) Mihir had gone away on a pilgrimage
(E) Makarand had stolen Mihir's money
Ans : (A)

7. Why was Mihir sad after returning from the pilgrimage ?
(a) He lost all his valuables while returning from the pilgrimage.
(b) The valuables that he had buried safely had all disappeared. ]
(c) He had spent far too much of his savings on the pilgrimage.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (b) and (c)
(D) Only (c)
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

8. In the end, why did Makarand return Mihir's money ?
(a) He realised that he had done the wrong thing by pretending to be unaware of Mihir's misfortune.
(b) The old woman offered to give him two hundred gold coins if he returned Mihir's money back.
(c) He did not want to be accused of having stolen Mihir's money in front of the old woman.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Only (a) and (c)
(E) All (a), (b) and (c)
Ans : (C)

Directions– (Q. 9–12) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word/s printed in bold as used in the passage.

9. Clutching
(A) Releasing
(B) Fixing
(C) Holding
(D) Sticking
(E) Obtaining
Ans : (C)

10. Keen
(A) Eager
(B) Hurried
(C) Planning
(D) Fortunate
(E) Deserving
Ans : (A)

11. Choice
(A) Understanding
(B) Regard
(C) Value
(D) Pick
(E) Option
Ans : (E)

12. Whole
(A) Partial
(B) Some
(C) Entire
(D) Total
(E) Part
Ans : (C)

Directions– (Q. 13–15) Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

13. Complete
(A) Partial
(B) Start
(C) Incomplete
(D) End
(E) Finish
Ans : (B)

14. Sadly
(A) Quietly
(B) Dejectedly
(C) Happily
(D) Disturbingly
(E) Lonely
Ans : (C)

15. Forgot
(A) Found
(B) Memorised
(C) Lost
(D) Claimed
(E) Remembered
Ans : (E)

Directions– (Q. 16–20) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical 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) i.e. 'No error’. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any)

16. The more enlightened (A) / factory owners (B) / build homes for their (C) / workers in Britain in the 19th century. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

17. Most criminals (A) / realises that they may be caught, (B) / but nevertheless (C) / they are prepared to take the risk. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

18. Strictly speaking, (A) / spiders are not insects, (B) / although most people (C) / think them are. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

19. The actress is also (A) / widely respected in (B) / the music world (C) / and deserving so. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

20. The story was (A) / inspired by (B) / a chance meeting (C) / with an old Russian duke. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

Directions– (Q. 21–25) 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.

21. He is held regard as the Chief's right-hand man.
(A) regards as
(B) to regard as
(C) regarded as
(D) being regarded for
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)

22. The inquiry has to bring to light some starting facts .
(A) bring light to
(B) brought to the lights
(C) brings to light
(D) brought to light
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)

23. My friend went his way out to oblige me.
(A) out on his way
(B) out of his way
(C) so out of the way
(D) little way out
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)

24. They are determined to stand up for their rights.
(A) be standing up
(B) for standing up
(C) stand up to
(D) stand on
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

25. Recently my expenses have gone run up considerably.
(A) run up
(B) to rise up
(C) had to run up
(D) got upwards
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)

Directions– (Q. 26–30) Each question below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank which best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

26. Rachana saw me…………for a bus, she stopped and …………me a lift.
(A) standing – took
(B) stopped – gave
(C) walking – sat
(D) testing – signalled
(E) waiting – offered
Ans : (E)

27. During winter, we can…………ourselves from the cold by wearing…………clothes.
(A) protect – warm
(B) establish – light
(C) save – good
(D) stop – thick
(E) escape – cotton
Ans : (A)

28. The school refused to…………acts of …………behaviour.
(A) overcome – spoilt
(B) tolerate – violent
(C) overlook – sudden
(D) appreciate – bravery
(E) comment – deserving
Ans : (B)

29. The actor was not …………by public criticism and paid no…………even to the poor reviews in the media.
(A) affected – attention
(B) troubled – mind
(C) effected – regard
(D) bothered – justification
(E) shocked – notices
Ans : (A)

30. The…………words of the teacher comforted the…………student.
(A) harsh – sorrowful
(B) encouraging – anxious
(C) reality – nervous
(D) wise – happy
(E) distracter – confused
Ans : (B)

Directions–(Q. 31–35) In each question below, four words printed in bold are given. These are lettered (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these words printed in bold may either be wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word that is inappropriate or wrongly spelt, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and appropriate in the context of the sentence then mark (E) i.e.' All Correct' as your answer.

31. An overly (A) obsessed (B) mother from Banaras wrote (C) in to tell me of her trajedy. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (D)

32. The cat is sitting in front (A) of the television (B) with its tail, stretched (C) out strait. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (D)

33. It would (A) be wrong to infer (B) that people who are overweight (C) are always sickly. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (D)

34. The witness (A) stated (B) that he had not sean (C) the woman before. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (C)

35. Her giggles (A) were infecsious (B) and soon (C) we were all laughing. (D) All Correct (E)
Ans : (B)

Directions– (Q. 36–40) Rearrange the following five sentences (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(a) The owner of the house was furious.
(b) After it had gone, a donkey who craved popularity climbed the roof and tried to perform the same tricks.
(c) His servants went up, drove the donkey down, and beat him black and blue.
(d) A monkey climbed the roof of a house and entertained the people who had gathered below to watch him at his antics.
(e) In the process, the donkey dislodged and broke several tiles.

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

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

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

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

40. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after the rearrangement ?
(A) a
(B) b
(C) c
(D) d
(E) 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.

The Emperor of China ...(41)... some peaches to the king of Tondmandalam with a note ...(42)...that the fruit gives long life to anyone who eats them. As the fruits were being shown to the ruler, Raffia, giving in to temptation, ...(43)... up one of the luscious peaches and ...(44)... into it. The king was ...(45) "You've bitten into a fruit ...(46)... for me !" he thundered. "For this you must die !" As Raffia was being taken away by the royal guards he sighed dramatically and exclaimed: "What a deceitful man the Emperor of China is. He ...(47)... the fruit gives long life. I took just one bite and I am about to die. Oh, what fate ...(48)... the one who eats the entire fruit !" The king was ...(49)... amused by Raffia's wit. He not only ...(50)... him but gave him a dozen of the peaches he had risked his life for .

41. (A) parcel
(B) grown
(C) bought
(D) sent
(E) give
Ans : (D)

42. (A) stating
(B) attach
(C) stuck
(D) telling
(E) meaning
Ans : (A)

43. (A) reached
(B) picked
(C) take
(D) secured
(E) stole
Ans : (B)

44. (A) touched
(B) smell
(C) opened
(D) bit
(E) look
Ans : (D)

45. (A) enraged
(B) harsh
(C) teasing
(D) eager
(E) sober
Ans : (A)

46. (A) parcel
(B) made
(C) designed
(D) send
(E) meant
Ans : (E)

47. (A) promises
(B) directed
(C) said
(D) told
(E) meant
Ans : (A)

48. (A) has
(B) holds
(C) awaits
(D) for
(E) stores
Ans : (C)

49. (A) also
(B) farther
(C) being
(D) little
(E) greatly
Ans : (E)

50. (A) rejected
(B) pardoned
(C) praise
(D) left
(E) forgive
Ans : (B)