ENGLISH THREE -- FOR IBPS PO/CLERKS/SBI PO/CLERKS -- SSC

ENGLISH--three

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.

Following the end of the Second World War, the United Kingdom enjoyed a long period without a major recession (from 1954to 1973) and a rapid growth in prosperity in the 1950s and 1960s. According to the OECD, the annual rate of growth (percentage change) between 1960 and 1973 averaged 2.9%, although this figure was far behind the rates of other European countries such as France, West Germany and Italy.

However, following the 1973 oil crisis and the 1973 – 1974 stock market crash, the British economy fell into recession and the government of Edward Health was ousted by the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. Wilson formed a minority government on 4 March 1974 after the General Election on 28^th February ended in a hung parliament Wilson subsequently secured a three seats majority in a second election in October that year.

The UK recorded weaker growth than many other European nations in the 1970s; even after the early 1970s recession ended, the economy was still blighted by rising unemployment and double-digit inflation.

In 1976, the UK was forced to request a loan of £ 2.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund. The then Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey was required to implement public spending cuts and other economic reforms in order to secure the loan. Following the Winter of Discontent, the government of James Callaghan lost a vote of no confidence. This triggered the May 1979 General Election which resulted in Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party forming a new government.

A new period of neo-liberal economy began in 1979 with the election of Margaret Thatcher who won the General Election on 3^rd May that year to return the Conservative party to government after five years of Labour government.

During the 1980s most state-owned enterprises were privatized, taxes cut and markets deregulated, GDP fell 5.9% initially but growth subsequently returned and rose to 5% at its peak in 1988, one of the highest rates of any European nation.

The UK economy had been one of the strongest economies in terms of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which remained relatively low until the 2008-09 recession. Unemployment has since reached a peak of just under 2.5 million (7.8%), the highest level since the early 1990s, although still far lower than some other European nations. However, interest rates have reduced to0.5%p.a. During August 2008 the IMF warned that the UK economic outlook had worsened due to a twin shock: financial turmoil and rising commodity prices. Both developments harm the UK more than most developed countries, including food. In 2007, the UK h ad the world’s third largest current account deficit, due mainly to a large deficit in manufactured goods. During May 2008, the IMF advised the UK government to broaden the scope of fiscal policy to promote external balance. Although the UK’s “ labour productivity in Germany, it still lags around 20% behind France, where workers have a 35- hour working week. The UK’s “labour productivity per hour worked” is currently on a par with the average for the “ old “ EU (15 countries). In 2010, the United Kingdom ranked 26^th on the Human Development Index.

The UK entered a recession in Q2 of 2008, according to the Office for National Statistics and exited it in Q4 of 2009. The subsequently revised ONS figures show that the UK suffered six consecutive quarters of negative growth, making it the longest recession since records began. As at the end of Q4 2009, revised statistics from the Office for National Statistics demonstrate that the UK economy shrank by 7.2% from peak to trough. The Blue Book 2013 confirms that UK growth in Q2 of 2013 was 0.7% and that the volume of output of GDP remains 3.2% below its pre-recession peak. The UK economy’s recovery has thus been more lackluster than previously thought. Furthermore, The Blue Book 2013 demonstrates that the UK experienced a deeper initial downturn than all of the G7 economies save for Japan, and has experienced a slower recovery than all but Italy.

A report released by the Office of National Statistics on 14 May 2013 revealed that over the six-year period between 2005 and 2011, the UK dropped from 5^th place to 12^th place in terms of household income on an international scale--- the drop was partially attributed to the devaluation of sterling over this time frame. However, the report also concluded that, during this period, inflation was relatively less volatile, the UK labour market was more resilient in comparison to other recessions, and household spending and wealth in the UK remained relatively strong in comparison to other OECK countries. According to a report by Moody’s Corporation, Britain’s debt-to-GDP ratio continues to increase in 2013 and is expected to reach 93% at the end of the year. The UK has lost its triple-A credit rating on the basis of poor economic outlook. 2013 economic growth has surprised many economists, ministers and the OBR in the 2013 budget’s projected annual growth of just 0.6%. In 2013 Q1 the economy grew by 0.4%, in Q2 the economy grew by 0.7% and in Q3 the economy is predicted to have grown at 0.8%.

1. A new period of neo-liberal economy began in United Kingdom with the election of Margaret Thatcher after five years of Labour government. Margaret Thatcher came to power in

a) 1980 b) 1976 c) 1979

d) 1982 e) None of these

2. According to the OECD, the annual rate of growth of United Kingdom’s economy between 1960 and 1973 averaged.

a) 2.9% b) 2.34% c) 2.87%

d) 5.9% e) None of these

3. During August 2008, International Monetary Fund warned that the United Kingdom economic outlook had worsened due to a twin shock. What were the twin shocks?

a) Financial turmoil and decreasing commodity prices

b) Financial turmoil and rising commodity prices

c) Increasing exports and decreasing imports

d) Low industrial growth and increasing imports

e) None of these

4. A report of Office of National Statistics revealed that between 2005 and 2011, the UK dropped from 5^th place to 12^th place in terms of

a) exports on an international scale

b) imports on an international scale

c) household income on an international scale

d) agricultural productivity

e) None of these

5. According to a report by Moody’s, Britain’s debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to reach--------------- at the end of 2013

a) 90 per cent b) 80 per cent c) 87.3 per cent

d) 93 per cent e) None of these

6. In 2007, the United Kingdom had the world’s third largest current account deficit due mainly to large deficit in

a) manufactured goods b) high inflation c) agricultural produces

d) exports e) imports

Directions (Q-7-8): In the following questions, choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

7. Broaden

a) narrow b) widen c) scatter

d) brittle e) broadcast

8. On a par

a) up to a scratch b) of same value c) equal to

d) in contrast e) on the contrary

Directions (Q.9-10): In the following questions, choose the word/group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

9. Volatile

a) stable b) unstable c) sincere

d) voracious e) buxom

10. Reveal

a) bring out b) concentrate c) concede

d) conceal e) confer

Directions (11 to 20): 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 blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Indian culture is rich and (11) and as a result unique in its very own way. Our

manners, way of communicating with one another, etc are one of the important components of

our culture. Even though we have accepted modern means of living, improved our lifestyle, our

values and beliefs still remain unchanged. A person can change his way of clothing, way of

eating and living but the rich values in a person always (12) unchanged because they are deeply

rooted within our hearts, mind body and soul which we receive from our culture. Indian culture

(13) guests as god and serves them and takes care of them as if they are a part and parcel of the

family itself. Even though we don’t have anything to eat, the guests are never left hungry and are

always looked after by the members of the family. Elders and the respect for elders is a major

component in Indian culture. Elders are the (14) force for any family and hence the love and

respect for elders comes from (15) and is not artificial. An (16) takes blessings from his elders

by touching their feet. Elders drill and pass on the Indian culture. All people are alike and

respecting one another is one’s duty. In foreign countries the relation (17) the boss and the

employee is like a (18) and is purely monetary whereas in Indian culture the relation between the

boss and the employee is more like homely relations unlike foreign countries. Helpful nature is

another (19) feature in our Indian culture. Right from our early days of childhood we are taught

to help one another (20) help and distress, if not in monetary then at least in kind or non-

monetary ways, Indian culture tells us to multiply and distribute joy and happiness and share

sadness and pain. It tells us that by all this we can develop co-operation and better living

amongst ourselves and subsequently make this world a better place to live in . Even though India

is a country of various religions and castes our culture tells us just one thing ‘ phir bhi dil hai

Hindustani”

11. a) Diverse b) averse c) poor

d) reconciliatory e) reverse

12. a) remains b) remain c) remaining

d) reverent e) reformed

13. a) ill-treat b) deals in c) treats

d) treated e) behave

14. a) diversive b) driven c) devastating

d) deriving e) driving

15. a) within b) surrounding c) proximity

d) outside e) outsourcing

16. a) individual b) illiterate c) enriched

d) elder e) individuals

17. a) among b) with c) between

d) of e) in

18. a) master b) zamindar c) owner

d) warden e) employer

19. a) strike b) striking c) negative

d) damnable e) horrifying

20. a) for need b) needful c) in need of

d) for want of e) required

Directions (21-25): 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 number 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.)

21. When we meeting people,(a)/ how do we decide (b)/ whether we want (c)/ to associate with them in the future? (d)/ No error. (e)

22. With school students expected to (a)/ aggregate more than 100% to be eligible for (b)/ some college courses , we become acquainted (c)/ with mathematics that are unique to Indian education.(d) / No error.(e)

23. In his petition. Writer rejected (a)/ the charge that (b)/ the descriptions in the novel (c)/ were obscene and that it portrayed women in poor taste.(d)/ No error. (e)

24. “This technology are already (a)/ popular in the fields of (b) / psychology and psychiatry” (c) / said senior researcher in Seoul. (d) / No error.

25. Then we have the second generation (a) / of family businesses; their fathers (b) / built the business (c) / but they themselves go abroad. (d) / No error.

Directions (Q. 26-30): Rearrange the following five sentences I, II III and IV and V in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below.

1. Bank under a contract of guarantee is bound to honour its guarantee and its obligation to pay is primary and independent of the underlying contract between the customer on whose behalf the guarantee is given and the beneficiary.

2. Guarantee issued by banks mainly are financial guarantee, performance guarantee, deferred payment guarantees and statutory guarantees.

3. A bank guarantee is a contract by which the bank guarantees a certain sum to a person/ entity on the customer failing to fulfill any contractual or legal obligation to the said person/entity.

4. The only exception for a bank not to make payment under a guarantee is when a fraud exists, which must be proved beyond doubt, or special equity is in favour of the debtor.

5. This has been settled by the various decisions of the Courts.

26. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?

a) I b) II c) IV

d) V e) III

27. Which of the following would be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

a) III b) I c) II

d) IV e) V

28. Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

a) I b) V c) IV

d) III e) II

29.Which of the following would be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?

a) II b) IV c) III

d) V e) I

30. Which of the following would be the LAST (FIFTH) sentence after rearrangement?

a) V b) IV c) I

d) II e) III

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ENGLISH

1.( c ) 2.( a ) 3.( a ) 4.( c ) 5.( d ) 6.( a ) 7.( b ) 8.( b ) 9.( a ) 10.( d )

11. ( a ) 12.( b ) 13.( c ) 14.( e ) 15. ( a )

16. ( a ) 17.( c ) 18.( a ) 19.( b ) 20. ( c )

21. a) change as “When we meet people”

22. d) change as “ with mathematics that is unique to Indian education.”

23. e) No error.

24 a) change as “This technology is already”

25. . d) change as “but they went abroad.”

(26 – 30) : III II I V IV

26. ( e ) 27.( c ) 28.( a ) 29.( d ) 30. ( b )