Aryavarta Gramin Bank Clerk Exam, 2011

General English 

(Held on 20-11-2011)

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.

Once upon a time, there was a stork that lived by catching fish from a particular tank. As the years went by, the stork grew older and weaker and its ability to catch fish diminished. At times it would even starve. The stork knew that it had to do something to survive.

One day it stood by the side of the tank with a very forlorn look on its face. The frogs, fish and crabs wondered why it was not trying to catch any food. A big crab asked the stork what the matter was. The stork answered that it was sad because all the fish in the tank were going to die and so it would have to starve. The stork said that it had heard that people were going to fill the tank with mud and grow crops over it. The fish were very worried and asked the stork to help them.

The stork offered to take all of them to a bigger tank some distance away. But it said that it needed to rest between trips because of old age. It would only be able to carry a few fish at a time.

On its first trip, the stork took a beakful of fish. It flew to a big rock and had a good meal. Thereafter, it rested for a while, and when it was hungry again, the stork took a second trip. In this manner, the stork took a trip each time it was hungry.

The big crab in the tank also wanted to save itself and it requested the stork to take it too. The stork thought it was a good idea to try a new dish. It agreed to take the crab on its next trip.

After the stork flew up with the crab, the crab looked down to see what the new surroundings would be like. All it could see was dry land. When the crab questioned the stork about this, the stork laughed wickedly and pointed to the rock below where the crab saw a heap of fish bones. The crab realized that it was to be the stork’s next meal. So the crab dug its claws into the stork’s neck and would not let go till the stork fell to the ground and died. The crab then cut off the stork’s head and returned home to show it to all the other fish and share the story of its adventure with the stork.

Directions—(Q. 1–3) Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

1. REALIZE
(A) Confess
(B) Conclude
(C) Solve
(D) Dream
(E) Confuse
Ans : (B)

2. ADVENTURE
(A) Incident
(B) Decision
(C) Saviour
(D) Scheme
(E) Friendship
Ans : (A)

3. CATCHING
(A) Teasing
(B) Holding
(C) Detecting
(D) Sipping
(E) Eating
Ans : (E)


Directions—(Q. 4–5) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

4. DIMINISHED
(A) Praised
(B) Developed
(C) Agitated
(D) Excited
(E) Lessened
Ans : (B)

5. FORLORN
(A) Serious
(B) Satisfied
(C) Wicked
(D) Helpful
(E) Cheerful
Ans : (E)

6. How did the crab kill the stork ?
(A) The crab dug its claws into the stork’s neck until it fell on the ground.
(B) The crab poisoned the stork’s meal at the rock.
(C) The crab starved the stork to death.
(D) The crab cut the stork’s head.
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

7. Why did the stork agree to take the crab along ?
(A) It wanted to try a new dish
(B) It wanted to prove that it was still young
(C) It wanted to save the crab
(D) It was blackmailed by the crab
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

8. Which of the following can be the most appropriate title for the story ?
(A) The foolish fish
(B) The brave stork
(C) The crab’s adventure with the stork
(D) The innocent stork and the fish
(E) The lazy crab
Ans : (B)

9. Why did the stork have to remain hungry ?
(A) There were not fish in the tank.
(B) The stork’s capacity to catch fish had diminished.
(C) The stork had lost its teeth due to old age.
(D) The fish had learnt to trick the stork.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

10. As per the stork what had the people being saying about the tank ?
(A) The tank would dry due to immense heat.
(B) The tank would be poisoned by the people.
(C) They would trap the fish and take them to aquariums.
(D) They would fill the tank with mud and cultivate crops.
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

Directions—(Q. 11–20) 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 either be 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.

11. Will you be able (A) to obtain (B) the necessary (C) information immeediately. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (D)

12. Although (A) I was angry, (B) I controlled (C) myself. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (E)

13. He came (A) at a time (B) when I was (C) too buzy (D) to see him. All correct (E)
Ans : (D)

14. Have (A) you posted (B) the latter (C) to the lawyer ? (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

15. Every habbit (A) of the parent (B) was found (C) in the child. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

16. He is not (A) as intelligent (B) a man as I accpected (C) him to be. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

17. I did (A) not see (B) the and (C) of the play. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

18. It is indeed (A) very clever (B) of him to have reefused (C) to do the task. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)

19. Due to unfourseen (A) circumstances, we shall have (B) to leave earlier (C) than planned. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)

20. There (A) were several (B) questions before (C) the committee. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 21–25) Rearrange the following five sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) in the proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph, and then answer the questions given below :
(1) These books are collectively called Euclid’s elements.
(2) Euclid has included his findings in one of the volumes of Euclid’s elements.
(3) Euclid is known as the father of modern geometry.
(4) This information was systematically presented by him in a set of 13 books.
(5) He complied information on geometry that was already available.

21. Which of the following should be the FOURTHsentence ?
(A) 5
(B) 2
(C) 1
(D) 3
(E) 4
Ans : (C)

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

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

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

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

Directions—(Q. 26–35) 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). (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any.)

26. If you does (A) / not work (B) / hard, you (C) / will not succeed. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

27. The candidate (A) / tried to convince (B) / the panel of the (C) / genuinely of his case. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)

28. He ran so hardly (A) / that he (B) / was out (C) / of breath. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

29. Mohan was very (A) / concerned about (B) / is health which (C) / was deteriorating day by day. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

30. He dealing (A) / sternly (B) / with the (C) / offender. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (A)

31. The man who (A) / was run on (B) / has been taken (C) / to the hospital. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

32. We started (A) / at a (B) / rapidity of pace (C) / towards the shore. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)

33. She is (A) / the tallest (B) / of the (C) / two girls. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

34. He went (A) / to finding (B) / the buried (C) / treasure. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (B)

35. No matter what (A) / they get some (B) / man always (C) / seem dissatisfied. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 36–45) 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.

Dilip Kumar’s train was late and it …(36)… Mumbai a little after midnight. It was his first …(37)… to the city and the did not …(38)… where to go. He thought he would go to a dormitory where he would not have to pay any …(39)… but he did not know how to find one at that hour. He asked a porter to get him a cheap room. The porter asked him for fifty rupees, but Dilip waved him away and walked out of the station. He …(40)… through the streets and asked a number of people, but could not find a room cheap enough. He sat down on a bench in a park to …(41)… of what he should do next. He was very tired and fell …(42)… on the bench. He woke up the next morning, stiff on every limb, but he …(43)… when he …(44)… that it was the …(45)… night lodging that he had ever had.

36. (A) leave
(B) arrived
(C) halted
(D) reached
(E) went
Ans : (D)

37. (A) ambition
(B) visit
(C) parking
(D) rest
(E) check
Ans : (B)

38. (A) want
(B) know
(C) guess
(D) ask
(E) imagine
Ans : (B)

39. (A) rent
(B) interest
(C) lease
(D) allowance
(E) hire
Ans : (A)

40. (A) crept
(B) wandered
(C) across
(D) search
(E) go
Ans : (B)

41. (A) eat
(B) free
(C) think
(D) escape
(E) rest
Ans : (C)

42. (A) sound
(B) asleep
(C) above
(D) upon
(E) right
Ans : (D)

43. (A) amazed
(B) thought
(C) smiled
(D) cried
(E) shocked
Ans : (C)

44. (A) confusion
(B) reassured
(C) regretted
(D) realised
(E) resolved
Ans : (E)

45. (A) cheapest
(B) easy
(C) comfortable
(D) reliable
(E) free
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 46–50) Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blanks to make the sentence meaningfully complete.

46. They ……… very pleased to see us.
(A) foresee
(B) ignore
(C) find
(D) looks
(E) seem
Ans : (E)

47. The seating arrangement makes it difficult for the pupils to talk to ……… other.
(A) every
(B) among
(C) all
(D) for
(E) each
Ans : (E)

48. The university has ……… the government a lot of money.
(A) sanction
(B) cost
(C) asked
(D) labelled
(E) wasted
Ans : (C)

49. We ……… the whole day shopping.
(A) enjoy
(B) left
(C) had
(D) happened
(E) spent
Ans : (C)

50. I was sitting in a cafe, ……… for my friend.
(A) hoping
(B) knowing
(C) seeing
(D) waiting
(E) asking
Ans : (D)

Malwa Gramin Bank Officers Exam., 2012

General Knowledge 

(Held on 8-1-2012)

1. Which of the following is one of the major functions of the RBI ?
(A) Maintain India Investment Fund created by the Govt. of India
(B) Act as custodian of the foreign exchange reserves of the country
(C) Appoint (CEOs) of the foreign banks in India
(D) Appoint Finance Secretary to the Govt. of India
(E) Decide exchange rates of currencies like Yen, Yuan and Dollars
Ans : (B)

2. Who among the following is a regulator of financial/banking institutes / organizations in India ?
(A) Indian Bureau of Standards
(B) Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
(C) Central Bureau of Investigation
(D) Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(E) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Ans : (E)

3. Who among the following is the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles at present in India ?
(A) Sri Anand Sharma
(B) Dr. Farooq Abdullah
(C) Sri Ghulam Nabi Azad
(D) Sri Kapil Sibbal
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

4. Which of the following terms is used in the field of Banking / Finance ?
(A) Reflex Action
(B) RH Factor
(C) Active Asset
(D) Amendment
(E) Statement of Fact
Ans : (C)

5. Which of the following is the period of the 12th Five Year Plan of India ?
(A) 2011–16
(B) 2010–15
(C) 2012–17
(D) 2013–18
(E) 2009–14
Ans : (C)


6. Which of the following books is written by Arundhati Roy ?
(A) India Wins Freedom
(B) The God of Small Things
(C) A Himalayan Love Story
(D) A Bend in the River
(E) Adversary in the House
Ans : (B)

7. What does the letter ‘R’ denote in the term ‘RTGS’ as used in the field of banking ?
(A) Real
(B) Reasonable
(C) Rotation
(D) Rate
(E) Repo
Ans : (A)

8. Bertrand Tavernier who was honoured by Life Time Achievement Award in 42nd International Film Festival of India in November 2011 is a citizen of—
(A) India
(B) U.S.A.
(C) Germany
(D) France
(E) Britain
Ans : (D)

9. Which of the following terms is used in the game of Cricket ?
(A) Love
(B) Knock-out
(C) Deuce
(D) Silly Point
(E) Dribble
Ans : (D)

10. Which of the following is the sensitive index of National Stock Exchange ?
(A) Nifty
(B) Sensex
(C) MCX
(D) CNX
(E) ETF
Ans : (B)

11. Who among the following is the Chief Minister of Rajasthan at present ?
(A) Sri Mukul Vasnik
(B) Sri Kamal Nath
(C) Sri Ashok Gehlot
(D) Sri Ashok Chandra Meena
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

12. Novelist Julian Barnes who won Man Booker Prize for his book recently is a citizen of—
(A) France
(B) Australia
(C) U. S. A.
(D) Britain
(E) Germany
Ans : (D)

13. Muammar Gaddafi who died recently was a political leader of—
(A) Egypt
(B) Syria
(C) Kenya
(D) Turkey
(E) Libya
Ans : (E)

14. Steve Jobs was associated with which of the following fields ?
(A) Computers
(B) Sports
(C) Films
(D) Politics
(E) Literature
Ans : (A)

15. Nobel Prizes, which were announced recently, are not given in the field of—
(A) Physics
(B) Chemistry
(C) Medicine
(D) Economics
(E) Civil Administration
Ans : (E)

16. The 51st National Open Athletics Championship was held in September 2011 in—
(A) Hyderabad
(B) Mumbai
(C) Delhi
(D) Kolkata
(E) Ranchi
Ans : (D)

17. Which of the following is grown in Maharashtra in abundance ?
(A) Black Pepper
(B) Tea
(C) Jute
(D) Cotton
(E) Rubber
Ans : (D)

18. Govt. of India has made a special agreement with U.S.A. to develop which of the following modes of power generation in India ?
(A) Hydro power
(B) Thermal power
(C) Wind power
(D) Nuclear power
(E) All of these
Ans : (D)

19. Which of the following is a programme to develop Health Services in Rural India ?
(A) NHDP
(B) JNNORM
(C) ASHA
(D) MGNREGA
(E) RAY
Ans : (C)

20. Head Office of which of the following banks is in Delhi ?
(A) Punjab National Bank
(B) Bank of India
(C) UCO Bank
(D) Corporation Bank
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

21. The Cattle Mela takes place in which of the following cities in Rajasthan ?
(A) Jodhpur
(B) Bharatpur
(C) Bikaner
(D) Jaipur
(E) Pushkar
Ans : (B)

22. Which of the following is the biggest stock exchange of India where maximum number of transactions take place every day ?
(A) Delhi
(B) Ahmedabad
(C) Mumbai
(D) Bengaluru
(E) Kolkata
Ans : (C)

23. The Atomic Power Station is located in which of the following places in Karnataka ?
(A) Kaiga
(B) Trombay
(C) Mangalore
(D) Hassan
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

24. Which of the following is the abbreviated name of the organization working for the welfare of the children ?
(A) CII
(B) BAFTA
(C) CRY
(D) NATO
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

25. The World Environment Day is observed on which of the following days ?
(A) July 25
(B) June 5
(C) April 5
(D) December 15
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

26. Saina Nehwal who was in news recently is associated with the game of—
(A) Football
(B) Badminton
(C) Basket Ball
(D) Hockey
(E) Chess
Ans : (B)

27. Who amongst the following is a member of SAARC ?
(A) Indonesia
(B) Pakistan
(C) Kuwait
(D) Iraq
(E) Fiji
Ans : (B)

28. Who amongst the following is the author of the book Diamond Dust and Other Stories ?
(A) Amrita Pritam
(B) Mulkraj Anand
(C) Anita Desai
(D) Chetan Bhagat
(E) Khushwant Singh
Ans : (C)

29. ‘Subrato Cup’ is associated with the game of—
(A) Cricket
(B) Badminton
(C) Hockey
(D) Football
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

30. Which of the following instruments is normally used by the medical professionals ?
(A) Stroboscope
(B) Stethoscope
(C) Photometer
(D) Thermoscope
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

31. Polio is caused by a—
(A) Fungus
(B) Bacteria
(C) Virus
(D) Either (A) or (B)
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

32. Pulitzer Prize is given for contribution in the field of—
(A) Literature
(B) Sports
(C) Politics
(D) Cinema
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

33. ‘Taka’ is the monetary unit of—
(A) Saudi Arabia
(B) Iraq
(C) Kuwait
(D) Afghanistan
(E) Bangladesh
Ans : (E)

34. Who among the following is the Vice President of India at present ?
(A) Ms. Meira Kumar
(B) Smt. Sonia Gandhi
(C) Mr. M. Hamid Ansari
(D) Sri Rajiv Shukla
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

35. Which is the name of a country ?
(A) Lira
(B) Euro
(C) Peso
(D) Botswana
(E) Londo
Ans : (D)

36. Which of the following terms is used in the field of Physics ?
(A) Quarrying
(B) Herbal
(C) Halite
(D) Radiation
(E) Fern
Ans : (D)

37. Which of the following is the Capital of Vietnam ?
(A) Jakarta
(B) Manila
(C) Hanoi
(D) Prague
(E) Suva
Ans : (C)

38. Economy of which of the following countries is passing through a crisis and the Govt. is seeking help of European Union countries to stabilize the same ?
(A) Greece
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Japan
(E) Canada
Ans : (A)

39. Which of the following is not a metal ?
(A) Gold
(B) Silver
(C) Zinc
(D) Copper
(E) Sulphur
Ans : (E)

40. Who among the following is the President of Italy at present ?
(A) Michael D. Higgins
(B) Giorgio Napolitano
(C) Mario Monti
(D) Joe Biden
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

41. ‘Manhattan’ is a town/city in—
(A) United Kingdom
(B) Canada
(C) Australia
(D) Japan
(E) U.S.A.
Ans : (E)

42. Term ‘Insider Trading’ is associated with—
(A) Stock markets
(B) Defence services
(C) Parliamentary procedures
(D) Book publishing business
(E) Sports
Ans : (A)

43. Which of the following agencies/bodies controls Football matches at international levels ?
(A) FIFA
(B) BCCI
(C) ATP
(D) MCC
(E) FEDAI
Ans : (A)

44. Which of the following Awards is given to a Sportsperson for his/her excellent performance ?
(A) Kalidas Sanman
(B) Arjuna Award
(C) Dadasaheb Phalke Award
(D) Saraswati Puraskar
(E) Dronacharya Award
Ans : (B)

45. Who amongst the following was the captain of the Indian team which won ICC Cricket World Cup ?
(A) Virender Sehwag
(B) Yuvraj Singh
(C) Sachin Tendulkar
(D) Yusuf Pathan
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

46. Which of the following films is directed by Karan Johar for which he got Filmfare Award for Best Director 2011 ?
(A) Rockstar
(B) Ra-One
(C) Dhobi Ghat
(D) Chalo Dilli
(E) My Name is Khan
Ans : (E)

47. Who amongst the following is a famous Lawn Tennis player and has represented India in many Sports events ?
(A) Anjali Bhagwat
(B) Sunita Rani
(C) Mayookha Johny
(D) Anju Bobby George
(E) Sania Mirza
Ans : (E)

48. Which of the following is not an anti poverty scheme launched by the Govt. of India ?
(A) Bharat Nirman
(B) MG National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(C) Annapurna Yojana
(D) Antyodaya Yojana
(E) Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana
Ans : (C)

49. Who amongst the following is a famous Author ?
(A) Roger Federer
(B) Kiran Desai
(C) Ms. Meira Kumar
(D) Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
(E) Neha Dhupia
Ans : (B)

50. What is the full form of ‘IMF’ ?
(A) Indian Money Fund
(B) International Monetary Fund
(C) International Money Forum
(D) Institute of Money and Finance
(E) Indian Monetary Fund
Ans : (B)

Prathama Gramin Bank Officers Exam., 2011

General Knowledge 

(Exam Held on 25-9-2011)

1. Who amongst the following is a Classic Russian author and had written famous book ‘Anna Karenina’ ?

(A) Anton Chekhov
(B) Leo Tolstoy
(C) Maxim Gorky
(D) Vladimir Nabokav
(E) Boris Pasternak
Ans : (B)

2. What is the full form of the letter ‘D’ in the abbreviation ‘MPLADS’ which was recently in news ?
(A) Damaging
(B) Decorating
(C) Development
(D) Dealing
(E) Delimitation
Ans : (C)

3. The World Bank has given a US $ 1 billion loan to clean which of the following rivers in India ?
(A) Narmada
(B) Krishna
(C) Ganga
(D) Jhelum
(E) Beas
Ans : (C)


4. India is a member of which of the following group of countries ?
(A) OPEC
(B) NATO
(C) European Union
(D) Least Developed countries
(E) BRICS
Ans : (E)

5. Prime Minister of India was recently on a visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania. This means he visited two—
(A) European countries
(B) African countries
(C) Asian countries
(D) American countries
(E) Middle East countries
Ans : (B)

6. The 34th National Games were organized in which of the following States ?
(A) Bihar
(B) Assam
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Gujarat
(E) Jharkhand
Ans : (E)

7. Who among the following has taken over as Union Minister of Railways ?
(A) Dinesh Trivedi
(B) Lalu Prasad Yadav
(C) Kamal Nath
(D) Sharad Pawar
(E) Anand Sharma
Ans : (A)

8. India recently decided to provide US $ 500 million to which of the following nations in its neighbourhood to help it in its redevelopment projects as the country is trying to come up after a long civil war and control of UN peace keeping forces ?
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Pakistan
(C) Afghanistan
(D) Nepal
(E) Bhutan
Ans : (C)

9. As per the amendments made in the Right to Education Act, now free-education will be available to the children upto Standard—
(A) 4th
(B) 6th
(C) 8th
(D) 10th
(E) 12th
Ans : (D)

10. Which of the following State Govts. signed a historical pact on Gorkhaland Administration a few months back ?
(A) Uttarakhand
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) West Bengal
(D) Assam
(E) Manipur
Ans : (C)

11. NATO recently attacked and bombarded which of the following countries as it wanted to control violence between the Govt. of that country and a group of protestors ?
(A) Russia
(B) Iran
(C) Pakistan
(D) Bangladesh
(E) Libya
Ans : (E)

12. India’s population is approximately—
(A) 1 billion
(B) 1•5 billion
(C) 1•75 billion
(D) 1•21 billion
(E) 1•6 billion
Ans : (D)

13. Who amongst the following is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha at present ?
(A) Ambika Soni
(B) Meira Kumar
(C) Pranab Mukherjee
(D) Sushma Swaraj
(E) Sonia Gandhi
Ans : (B)

14. India recently resumed Foreign Ministerial level talks with which of the following countries which was suspended sometimes back due to deadlock on certain crucial issues ?
(A) USA
(B) Bangladesh
(C) China
(D) Pakistan
(E) Sri Lanka
Ans : (D)

15. Which of the following was the issue which was discussed in a specially convened session of the Parliament on August 27, 2011 ?
(A) Land Acquisition Amendment Bill
(B) Constitutional Reforms Bill
(C) Women’s Reservation Bill
(D) Anti Commercial Violence Bill
(E) Lok Pal Bill after its redrafting
Ans : (E)

16. ‘Dhanush’ is an indigenously developed by India—
(A) Missile
(B) Sub-marine
(C) Patton tank
(D) Fighter plane
(E) Passenger aircraft
Ans : (A)

17. Islam Karimov who was on a visit to India is the President of—
(A) Iraq
(B) Iran
(C) Ethiopia
(D) Tanzania
(E) Uzbekistan
Ans : (E)

18. Which of the following is the name of a missile developed by India ?
(A) Dhruva
(B) USHA
(C) Vivian
(D) Trishul
(E) PADMA
Ans : (D)

19. Who among the following is not a Cricket Player ?
(A) Ashish Nehra
(B) James Anderson
(C) Shivnarine Chanderpaul
(D) Jade Dernbach
(E) Vishwanathan Anand
Ans : (E)

20. The 11th Five Year Plan will be over in—
(A) December 2011
(B) January 2012
(C) March 2012
(D) December 2012
(E) March 2013
Ans : (C)

21. Who amongst the following is a well known name in the field of Banking in India ?
(A) H. R. Bharadwaj
(B) S. Y. Qureshi
(C) Yusuf Pathan
(D) D. Subbarao
(E) Ashok Gehlot
Ans : (D)

22. Who among the following is not a Chief Minister of a State at present ?
(A) Tarun Gogoi
(B) Ghulam Nabi Azad
(C) N. Rangaswamy
(D) Raman Singh
(E) Arjun Munda
Ans : (B)

23. Mamta Banerjee belongs to which political party ?
(A) Congress
(B) CPM (I)
(C) BJP
(D) Trinamool Congress
(E) BSP
Ans : (D)

24. Who among the following was given Lifetime Achievement Award in 12th IIFA Awards Ceremony held in Toronto in June 2011 ?
(A) Asha Bhonsle
(B) Lata Mangeshkar
(C) Amitabh Bachchan
(D) Rajesh Khanna
(E) Hema Malini
Ans : (A)

25. Asian Cup Women’s Boxing Tournament was organized in May 2011 in—
(A) Japan
(B) China
(C) South Korea
(D) India
(E) Malaysia
Ans : (B)

26. Which of the following States won the National Hockey Championship 2011 ?
(A) Karnataka
(B) Haryana
(C) Punjab
(D) Maharashtra
(E) Kerala
Ans : (B)

27. Which of the following is an ore of a metal ?
(A) Bauxite
(B) Lime Stone
(C) Sulphur
(D) Menthol
(E) Camphor
Ans : (A)

28. The 43rd Jnanpith Award was given to whom among the following ?
(A) S. L. Bhyrappa
(B) Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari
(C) O. N. V. Kurup
(D) Javed Akhtar
(E) Malti Joshi
Ans : (C)

29. Who among the following is a famous Chess Player ?
(A) Koneru Humpy
(B) Pargat Singh
(C) Baichung Bhutia
(D) Ajit Pal Singh
(E) Ishant Sharma
Ans : (A)

30. Which of the following is the full form of ‘CBS’ as used in banking system ?
(A) Corporate Business Strategies
(B) Core Banking Solution
(C) Common Banking Strategies
(D) Common Business Strategies
(E) Corporate Banking Solution
Ans : (B)

31. Which of the following is the name of a Private Sector Bank in India ?
(A) Dena Bank
(B) Syndicate Bank
(C) IDBI Bank
(D) Corporation Bank
(E) South Indian Bank
Ans : (E)

32. Which of the following terms is used in the field of Banking and Finance ?
(A) Accrued interest
(B) Assimilation
(C) Deviance
(D) Diffusion
(E) Stagnant population
Ans : (A)

33. Which of the following is not a Public Sector Unit ?
(A) Mishra Dhatu Nigam
(B) Hindalco Industries
(C) Bharat Bhari Udyog Nigam
(D) Container Corporation of India
(E) Hindustan Organic Chemicals
Ans : (E)

34. Which of the following terms is used in the game of Cricket ?
(A) Back hand
(B) Volley
(C) Follow on
(D) Jockey
(E) Deuce
Ans : (C)

35. Which of the following books is written by Arundhati Roy ?
(A) The God of Small Things
(B) A House for Mr. Biswas
(C) The Glass Palace
(D) The Namesake
(E) A Fine Balance
Ans : (A)

36. Which of the following is grown as a Spice used in daily cooking and also to be used as a quick remedy of many common ailments ?
(A) Marigold
(B) Turmeric
(C) Jatropha
(D) Cactus
(E) Fern
Ans : (B)

37. Which of the following prizes / awards is given by the Govt. of India ?
(A) Kalinga Award
(B) Pulitzer Prize
(C) Padma Bhushan
(D) Jamanalal Bajaj Award
(E) Saraswati Samman
Ans : (D)

38. Which of the following is grown as a vegetable ?
(A) Groundnut
(B) Cotton seed
(C) Custard apple
(D) Radish
(E) Castor
Ans : (D)

39. Which of the following cups/trophies is associated with the game of Hockey ?
(A) Irani Cup
(B) Duleep Trophy
(C) Rovers Cup
(D) Agha Khan Cup
(E) Ranji Trophy
Ans : (D)

40. ‘Kathakali’ is a form of dance drama originated in—
(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Orissa
(D) Uttar Pradesh
(E) Manipur
Ans : (A)

41. Who among the following was a famous Scientist of Indian origin and was awarded Nobel Prize during his life time ?
(A) C. V. Raman
(B) Meghnad Saha
(C) Jagdish Chandra Basu
(D) Birbal Sahni
(E) Homi Bhabha
Ans : (A)

42. Which of the following agencies/organizations is closely associated with the functioning of the banking and finance companies in India ?
(A) UNESCO
(B) WTO
(C) SEBI
(D) UGC
(E) CBFC
Ans : (C)

43. Which of the following is not a member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) ?
(A) Pakistan
(B) Afghanistan
(C) Nepal
(D) Bhutan
(E) Japan
Ans : (E)

44. Which of the following is called the upper House of the Parliament in India ?
(A) The Lok Sabha
(B) Office of the President of India
(C) The Union Cabinet
(D) Office of the Prime Minister of India
(E) The Rajya Sabha
Ans : (E)

45. What is the full form of ‘KYC’ as used in banking world ?
(A) Keep Your Credibility
(B) Know Your Credibility
(C) Know Your Clients
(D) Keep Your Customer
(E) Know Your Customer
Ans : (E)

46. Which of the following is the name of a bank having offices and branches in India ?
(A) Kotak Mahindra
(B) NCL
(C) Wipro
(D) DLF
(E) GAIL
Ans : (A)

47. Which of the following is a software and allied services company functioning in India ?
(A) NTPC
(B) SAIL
(C) AXIS
(D) Infosys
(E) Ambuja
Ans : (D)

48. What is full form of ‘NGO’ a term we listen very often these days ?
(A) National Growth and Opportunities
(B) Non-Governmental Organisation
(C) New Growth & Organisation
(D) Not Growing Organisation
(E) Net Growing Options
Ans : (B)

49. Nirupama Rao is appointed new Ambassador of India to—
(A) Germany
(B) France
(C) Russia
(D) USA
(E) China
Ans : (D)

50. Financial Inclusion does not include which of the following ?
(A) Having a bank account
(B) Micro credit during emergency
(C) Free registration of business enterprises
(D) Access to all kinds of commercial/personal loans
(E) Access to credit/debit cards
Ans : (C)

Baroda Rajasthan Gramin Bank Officers Exam., 2011

General English

(Held on 13-3-2011) 

Directions–(Q. 1 to 10) 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/phrases are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word/phrase in each case.

The chasm between India's flourishing cities and bleak rural hinterland is narrowing. Spread across 650,000 villages, with an average population of l,100, rural villagers were long ...(1)... by city dwellers as primitive, impoverished and irrelevant, something to drive past on the way to something else. That is no longer the ...(2) ... Anew prosperity is ...(3)... in rural India, with tens of millions entering the pressure-cooker-and-tele-vision-owning class and tens of thousands becoming sippers of Scotch, ...(4)... of premium tractors and drivers of multiple sedans.

The opening of this new frontier of consumer demand from 700 million people could tip India's role in the global economy from seller to buyer, from a vendor of outsourced skills to a source of consumers for the world's ...(5)....Mulinational corporations, appear increasingly ...(6)... to understand Indian villagers. Rural dwellers are now nearly twice as likely to be crorepatis as city dwellers in Bangalore, the high-technology hub, according to the National Council for Applied Economic Research. It may be a trickle, but India's urban prosperity is flowing to the countryside and well-to-do villages are early testing grounds of ...(7)... the benefits of India's economic makeover and opening to the world will flow to its villagers, many of them living in its poorest rural nooks. The ...(8)... of such villages will also add fuel to the debate over democracy's influence on economic development. India has been faulted for growing more lethargically than China, in part because of its democracy. But the new rural prosperity ...(9)... that the high cost democracy also has a hidden benefit. By compelling each politician to ...(10)... results to his own narrow constituency, democracy spreads economic change more thinly. But that in turn broadens the consensus in favour of change, perhaps making liberalization more sustainable in India than in China.

1. (A) wished
(B) awaited
(C) imagined
(D) abolished
(E) drawn
Ans : (C)

2. (A) question
(B) case
(C) feature
(D) issue
(E) views
Ans : (B)

3. (A) emerged
(B) visual
(C) associating
(D) sprouting
(E) instilling
Ans : (D)


4. (A) sellers
(B) owners
(C) makers
(D) marketers
(E) hirers
Ans : (B)

5. (A) price
(B) wares
(C) stuff
(D) commodity
(E) today
Ans : (E)

6. (A) aware
(B) disinterested
(C) keen
(D) intend
(E) tough
Ans : (C)

7. (A) really
(B) about
(C) since
(D) if
(E) whether
Ans : (A)

8. (A) transformation
(B) propensity
(C) downfall
(D) revolution
(E) decrease
Ans : (D)

9. (A) suggests
(B) narrates
(C) says
(D) show
(E) remarks
Ans : (E)

10. (A) derive
(B) distribute
(C) give
(D) seek
(E) deliver
Ans : (A)

Directions–(Q. 11 to 15) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the word/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.

11. NA8ARD has the responsibility of lay down the policies for the RRBs, to oversee their operations, provide refinance facilities, to monitor their performance and to attend their problems.
(A) to laid down
(B) of laying down
(C) on lays down
(D) for lay downs
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)

12. Groundwater and surface water are traditionally concerned of rural communities, as those communities are almost exclusively served by well water.
(A) a tradition of concern
(B) traditions of concerning
(C) traditionally concerns
(D) tradition for concerned
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)

13. The very publicised mid day meal scheme meant to reduce dropout rates in schools seems to be not yielding the desired results.
(A) much publicised
(B) many publicity
(C) too public
(D) little publicity of
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)

14. No like the urban schools and colleges, the schools in rural areas do not encourage the children to excel in extra-curricular activities.
(A) Similarly to
(B) Inspite of
(C) Unlike
(D) Despite
(E) No correction required
Ans : (C)

15. The government said that the iron levels in groundwater were higher than that prescribe in 254 districts.
(A) then those prescribe
(B) then that prescribed
(C) prescription
(D) than those prescribed
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)

Directions–(Q. 16 to 20) Rearrange the following five sentences (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them—
(1) Therefore, it is important to source a large part of economic growth in agriculture, in rural non-agricultural activities and in productive expansion of the informal sector which all have high employment elasticities, as well as in an export strategy based on labour intensive exports.
(2) It is important because it creates more resources and has the potential of creating more space for the involvement of the poor.
(3) If the growth is sourced upon those sectors of the economy or those activities that have a natural tendency to involve the poor in their expansion, such growth helps poverty eradication.
(4) Economic growth is important.
(5) But this involvement depends on the sources of growth and the nature of growth.

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

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

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

19. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 5
(6) 4
(C) 3
(D) 2
(E) 1
Ans : (C)

20. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(6) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Ans : (A)

Directions–(Q. 21 to 25) 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.

21. A model-based approach has been …………….to identify the factors that are …………….for the problems faced by the rural areas.
(A) pursued, guilty
(B) placed, accountable
(C) approved, made
(D) identified, liable
(E) adopted,. Responsible
Ans : (E)

22. Farm living is dependent on …………….environmental conditions, and in times of drought, flood or pestilence, survival becomes extremely …………….
(A) irregular, simple
(B) sedentary, dangerous
(C) erratic, easy
(D) unpredictable, problematic
(E) impulsive, tough
Ans : (D)

23. It is also a …………….of industrialization that farms become more mechanized, putting many labourers out of …………….
(A) result, work
(B) point, city
(C) idea, labour
(D) consequence, bounds
(E) cause, employment
Ans : (A)

24. since their inception, regional rural banks (RRBs) have taken …………….roots and have become a sort of. …………….part of the rural credit structure in India.
(A) many, frivolous
(B) to, vital
(C) several, small
(D) all, essential
(E) deep, inseparable
Ans : (E)

25. Any new proposal in the education sector should …………….the chances for the rural poor to have a …………….education at par with their urban counter parts in their villages themselves.
(A) increase, well
(B) improve, good
(C) search, standard
(D) glorify, better
(E) lessen, regular
Ans : (B)

Directions–(Q. 26 to 35) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical 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) i. e. 'No error'. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any.)

26. Neither the opera singers or (A) the general public had seen as (B) much glitter (C) in years as they did during Turandot, the finale (D) of the opera season. No error (E)
Ans : (A)

27. His story about the strange beings (A) in a space ship was so (B) incredulous (C) that (D) no one believed him. No error (E)
Ans : (C)

28. The hot air ballon had burst as they were preparing (A) for launch, (B) and the platform had broke (C) as a result. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)

29. I fail to understand (A) why (B) you are seeking my council (C) after the way you ignored (D) my advice last week. No error (E)
Ans : (C)

30. Ann Landers, whose (A) name is a household word to millions of (B) readers, are (C) well-known (D) for family advice. No error (E)
Ans : (C)

31. Between you and I, (A) the highway department must review bridge construction across the country (B) in order to (C) avoid major catastrophes resulting from (D) mental fatigue. No error (E)
Ans : (A)

32. Child custody in surrogate mother cases is just one of the many (A) controversial issues which (B) are (C) currently being decided upon (D) in the courts. No error (E)
Ans : (D)

33. John usually eats a quick lunch, ignoring (A) the question of whether (B) what (C) he eats is healthy or (D) not. No error (E)
Ans : (E)

34. If (A) you continue to drive so recklessly, (B) you are likely (C) to have a serious accident in the very (D) near future. No error (E)
Ans : (E)

35. The general along with (A) the members of his general staff (B) seem (C) to favour immediate retaliation (D) at this time. No error (E)
Ans : (C)

Directions–(Q. 36 to 43) Read the passage carefully and answers the questions correctly.

This is a time when the demography of our population is changing significantly to drive organized retail growth. India now has a large young working population with a median age of 24. The number of nuclear families in urban areas is growing fast. Then there is the increase in working women population. Add to these the emerging opportunities in the service sector. Lifestyle habits are shifting from austerity to complete self-indulgence and Indians are now unapologetic about spending lavishly on non-essential goods such as luxury watches, cars, and hi-tech products.

India can be said to have entered the second phase of retail growth when there is high-speed growth. There are retail chains along with global players which are trying to tap the country's vast potential. Bringing all these under one roof are mega malls. Now, top names in inter-national malls are also eyeing the Indian market. It is only later that the retailing scene will move to the other phases when the fruits of rapid growth will result in economies of scale and greater efficiency leading finally to consolidation through mergers and acquistions. Thus, retailing in India has a very long haul ahead.

In India for a long time a large chunk of retail outlets were grocery shops. This pattern had been changing in recent years, in urban and rural markets. Of late, India's largely rural population has also caught the eye of retailers looking for new areas of growth. A slew of supermarket chains are set to storm the rural areas of the country as corporates realize the huge potential of the untapped market. A well-known brand launched the country's first rural mall, offering a diverse product range from FMCG to electronic appliances to automobiles, attempting to provide farmers a one-stop destination for all of their needs. Other companies are launching 'one-stop shops' for farmers and their communities too.

As clear from the story of some of the companies already established, organized retail sector can bring a revolutionary change in rural India unless it goes for quick short-term gains. With Walmart famous for its 'Always Low Prices' coming to India, Indian farmers and rural craftsmen can hope for a better direct deal. Retailing does not benefit just the consumer. It can give huge benefits to other industries, to government, and to the entire economy.

The rural market is no longer a non-player in the retail game. It is now accounting for about one-third of the market for most durable and non-durable products. Even manufacturers are developing new products with the rural consumer in mind besides using village-oriented marketing strategies for brand promotions. Whether it is an actress promoting a chocolate of a cricketer wowing village lads with a soft drink, both ad makers as well as top company honchos know where to put their money and how. The rural market is no longer of hypothetical empirical value but is well researched and reached by most companies looking to tap India's vast and abundant bounty.

The Indian retail scenario is poised for a quantum leap. Not only are newer names set to dot the retail landscape but also new and emerging retail formats will drive the diversity of the fast-changing retail backdrop. Organized Retail means 'Big Stores' a common myth. ..nothing can be further from the truth. In its very essence, organized retailing is about "aggregating value" and what shape, size and configuration your customer facing entity takes is largely a function of your offer and proposition. A growing population, a young workforce and zooming consumer confidence will fuel the expansion of the retail sector. As organized retail in rural India awaits the arrival of known companies, current majors are expanding their retail operations by setting up more stores, entering new states and offering newer product categories. A shift from selling agri-inputs will help these stores target the non-farming segments. It is a little known fact that, while 25% of the rural population is not engaged in agriculture, it earns 50% of the rural income. The retail
market is the next growth frontier for corporate India. It offers an opportunity for a large player to build a Rs. 40,000 cr retail business spanning multiple categories by 2015 (at current prices). However, to capitalize on the opportunity, a player needs to be aggressive in his outlook and build scale quickly.

36. What according to the author is 'Organized Retailing' ?
(A) Setting up a number of stores in a short span of time in order to achieve visibility
(B) Selling the same products under different names
(C) Assigning a higher value to all products so that a greater margin of profit is attained in a shorter span of time
(D) Adapting one's strategy of selling or making products according to customer needs and demands
(E) Building bigger stores to attract more number of people
Ans : (D)

37. What according to the author, is not well known ?
(A) Encouraging the retail industries to set up stores in the rural areas will lead to disaster
(B) Half of the income in rural areas comes from people engaged in non-agricultural activities
(C) People in the rural areas are unwilling to spend on products other than those related to
agriculture
(D) People in the rural areas have a very limited spending capacity because of low incomes
(E) Rural areas have a high potential for success of retail industries
Ans : (B)

38. Which of the following, according to the author, is/are the reason/s for the change in the spending habits of Indians ?
(1) Increase in the number of youngsters securing jobs
(2) Increase in the number of employed women
(3) Increase in the number of nuclear families
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (1) and (3)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Only (1) and (2)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (E)

39. Which of the following can aptly replace the phrase 'caught the eye of' as used in the passage ?
(A) made a demand for
(B) been painful to
(C) been noticed by
(D) paid attention to
(E) sought approval of
Ans : (C)

40. Which of the following is possibly the most appropriate title for the passage ?
(A) Retail Industry – The Way Ahead For Farmers
(B) Retail Industry – Growth Opportunities
(C) Walmart and the Retail Industry
(D) Challenges faced by the Retail Industry
(E) The History of Retail Industry
Ans : (B)

41. Which of the following is true about rural market, as given in the passage ?
(1) Product are being designed to suit rural requirements.
(2) Companies are taking into account rural settings while conceptualizing advertisements.
(3) It forms around 33 per cent of the consumers of most retail products.
(A) Only (1) and (3)
(B) Only (1) and (2)
(C) Only (1)
(D) Only (2) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Ans : (E)

42. Which of the following is true about Walmart, as given in the passage ?
(1) Walmart achieved a fair amount of success in smaller towns of the US.
(2) Walmart has presence in all the countries.
(3) Goods sold at Walmart are priced low.
(A) Only (1) and (3)
(B) Only (1) and (2)
(C) Only (1)
(D) Only (2) and (3)
(E) Only (3)
Ans : (E)

43. What is the present situation of retail growth in India ?
(A) The growth of the retail sector is progressing at a medium pace and India lacks the resources to capitalize on the potential market
(B) India's growth in the retail sector can be compared to the growth of the US in the same
(C) India has a huge untapped market for the retail sector which at present only the international companies are using to their advantage
(D) India is witnessing rapid growth in the retail sector with most companies trying to make maximum of the available market
(E) India is witnessing a lot of mergers and acquisitions in the retail sector
Ans : (C)

Directions–(Q. 44 to 47) 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.

44. NUCLEAR
(A) One
(B) Central
(C) Single
(D) Extended
(E) Joint
Ans : (C)

45. ZOOMING
(A) Fast
(B) Whizzing
(C) Increasing
(D) Burning
(E) Quick
Ans : (B)

46. AGGRESSIVE
(A) Forceful
(B) Hostile
(C) Violent
(D) Antagonistic
(E) Destructive
Ans : (C)

47. DURABLE
(A) Perishable
(B) Existing
(C) Settlement
(D) Long-lasting
(E) Ever-lasting
Ans : (D)

Directions–(Q. 48 to 50) Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

48. DIVERSITY
(A) Fairness
(B) Uniformity
(C) Reliability
(D) Difference
(E) Equality
Ans : (B)

49. UNAPOLOGETIC
(A) Guilty
(B) Reformed
(C) Unrepentant
(D) Ignorant
(E) Accountable
Ans : (A)

50. UNTAPPED
(A) Over-insistent
(B) More frequent
(C) Available
(D) Intact
(E) Over-exploited
Ans : (E)

Associate Banks of SBI Probationary Officers Exam., 2011

General Awareness, Marketing and Computers

(Exam Held on 7-8-2011)

1. A major Public Sector Bank raised interest rates on loans by 25 basis points–was news in some major financial newspapers recently. This means bank has raised interest by 25 basis points of–
(A) Savings Bank Interest Rate
(B) Base Lending Rate
(C) Repo Rates
(D) Present Rates on Deposits
(E) Discounted Rates of Interest
Ans : (B)

2. The Finance Minister of India in one of his press conferences said that inflationary pressure is likely to continue following recent increase in rates of some commodities in international markets. Which of the following commodities was he referring to as it gets frequent increase at international levels and disturbs our Home Economy substantially ?
(A) Gold and Silver
(B) Petroleum products
(C) Tea and Coffee
(D) Sugar
(E) Jute and Jute products
Ans : (B)

3. Immediately prior to change in the measure of Food Inflation, which of the following indexes was being used for measuring it?
(A) Wholesale Price Index
(B) Consumer Price Index
(C) Interest Rates offered by banks on deposits
(D) Sensex and Nifty
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)


4. What is the full form of 'FINO' a term we see frequently in financial newspapers ?
(A) Financial Investment Network and Operations
(B) Farmer's Investment in National Organisation
(C) Farmers Inclusion News and Operations
(D) Financial Inclusion Network and Operations
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

5. Which of the following is / are commodity/ies on which subsidy is given to farmers / poor in India ?
1. Fertilizer
2. Kerosene
3. LPG
(A) Only1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (E)

6. 'Bhagyam Oilfields' which were recently in news are located in which of the following states in India ?
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Assam
(D) Maharashtra
(E) Karnataka
Ans : (A)

7. The Finance Minister of India recently decided to review the position of 'Bad Debts' in priority sector. Which of the following is/are the reason(s) owing to which PM took this decision ?
1. Bad Debt in agriculture is still rising substantially every year despite special treatment to it.
2. Bad Debt in other areas of priority sector is almost nil now,
3. Govt. is planning to disburse another installment of Rs. 1,60,000 crore which will bring 'Bad Debts' almost at 'Nil level' and no special treatment will be needed in next fiscal year.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (E)

8. Which amongst the following countries is not a member of the TAPI pipe line project, which was in news recently ?
(A) India
(B) Afghanistan
(C) Portugal
(D) Pakistan
(E) Turkmenistan
Ans : (C)

9. An agreement on Arms Reduction popularly known as 'START' is one of the major issues in the way of smooth relations between which of the following two countries ?
(A) India–Pakistan
(B) India–China
(C) China–Japan
(D) USA–Russia
(E) Russia–Iran
Ans : (D)

10. The International WWW Conference-2011 was organized in which of the following places in March 2011 ?
(A) London
(B) Paris
(C) Vienna
(D) Manila
(E) Hyderabad
Ans : (E)

11. Which of the following international agencies/ organizations had initiated an "International Convention for the 'Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance' , which came into effect recently ?
(A) World Health Organisation (WHO)
(B) International Court of Justice
(C) International Maritime Organisation
(D) International Atomic Energy Agency
(E) United Nations organization
Ans : (E)

12. 'BRIC' which was the Organisation of 4 nations namely Brazil, Russia, India and China has now become 'BRICS'. Which is the fifth nation included in it ?
(A) South Korea
(B) Sp Lanka
(C) Singapore
(D) Spain
(E) South Africa
Ans : (E)

13. The process of acquisition of agricultural land and its compensation to farmers recently came up as a major issue in which of the following states ? (It also created law and order problem in the State)
(A) Haryana
(B) Gujarat
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Rajasthan
(E) Punjab
Ans : (C)

14. What does the letter 'L' denote in term 'LAF' as referred every now and then in relation to monetary policy of the RBI ?
(A) Liquidity
(B) Liability
(C) Leveraged
(D) Longitudinal
(E) Linear
Ans : (A)

15. BP Pic which was in news recently is a major international company in field of–
(A) Heavy Machinery
(B) Oil exploration and processing
(C) Atomic Energy
(D) Information Technology
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

16. Who amongst the following has been appointed as the new coach of the Indian Cricket team for a period of two years ?
(A) Stuart Law
(B) Allan Border
(C) Gary Kirsten
(D) Duncan Fletcher
(E) Allan Donald
Ans : (D)

17. Why was Kanishtha Dhankhars name in news recently ?
(A) She was crowned Femina Miss India-2011
(B) She was adjudged Best Actress-2010 by Film Fare
(C) She is the new Capital of India's woman cricket team
(D) She is the new Dy. Minister Textile in place of Dayanidhi Maran
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

18. K. Balachander, who was awarded prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award-2010, is basically a/an–
(A) Actor
(B) Director
(C) Photographer
(D) Music Director
(E) Choreographer
Ans : (D)

19. Banks and other financial institutions in India are required to maintain a certain amount of liquid assets like cash, precious metals and other short term securities as a reserve all the time. In Banking World this is known as–
(A) CRR
(B) Fixed Asset
(C) SLR
(D) PLR
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

20. Which of the following Space agencies recently launched three satellites and placed them into Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit successfully?
(A) NASA
(B) ROSCOSMOS
(C) cnsa
(D) ISRO
(E) JAXA
Ans : (D)

21. As per the decision taken by the Govt. of India recently, "Bamboo is a liberated item now". What does it really mean ?
1. Bamboo, henceforth will be treated as a minor forest produce only.
2. Now villagers are free to sell bamboo in their community forest areas.
3. Gramsabha is given right to issue transport passes to legally transport the produce.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

22. Union Cabinet recently passed a Rs. 7000 crore project to clean-up which of the following rivers in India?
(A) Narmada
(B) Ravi
(C) Ganga
(D) Chambal
(E) Krishna
Ans : (C)

23. As per estimates of the Planning Commission of India the target growth rate of 12th Five Year Plan is set to–
(A) 7 to 8%
(B) 8.0% to 8.5%
(C) 9% to 9.5%
(D) 10 to 10.5%
(E) 11%
Ans : (E)

24. Goodluck Jonathan was recently reelected the President of–
(A) South Africa
(B) Nigeria
(C) Kosovo
(D) Haiti
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

25. Which of the following schemes is not launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India ?
(A) National Old Age Pension Scheme
(B) National Maternity Benefit Scheme
(C) National Family Benefit Scheme
(D) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
(E) All are launched by Ministry of Rural Development
Ans : (D)

26. Where you are likely to find an embedded operating system ?
(A) on a desktop operating system
(B) on a networked PC
(C) on a network server
(D) on a PDA
(E) on a mainframe
Ans : (D)

27. An online discussion group that allows direct 'live' communication is known as–
(A) Webcrawler
(B) chat group
(C) regional service provider
(D) hyperlink
(E) e-mail
Ans : (B)

28. Which of the following is a program that uses a variety of different approaches to identify and eliminate spam ?
(A) Directory search
(B) Anti-spam program
(C) Web server
(D) Web storefront creation package
(E) Virus
Ans : (B)

29. Connection or link to other documents or Web Pages that contain related information is called–
(A) dial-up
(B) electronic commerce
(C) hyperlink
(D) e-cash
(E) domain name
Ans : (C)

30. Which of the following is a programming language for creating special programs like
applets ?
(A) Java
(B) cable
(C) domain name
(D) Net
(E) COBOL
Ans : (A)

31. The system unit–
(A) coordinates input and output devices
(B) is the container that houses electronic components
(C) is a combination of hardware and software
(D) controls and manipulates data
(E) does the arithmetic operations
Ans : (C)

32. System software–
(A) allows the user to diagnose and troubleshoot the device
(B) is a programming language
(C) is part of a productivity suit
(D) is an optional form of software
(E) helps the computer manage internal resources
Ans : (E)

33. Computer and communication technologies, such as communication links to the Internet that provide help and understanding to the end user is known as–
(A) presentation file
(B) information technology
(C) program
(D) worksheet file
(E) FTP
Ans : (B)

34. Which of the following is contained on chips connected to the system board and is a holding area for data instructions and information ? (processed data waiting to be output to secondary storage)
(A) program
(B) mouse
(C) Internet
(D) memory
(E) modem
Ans : (D)

35. Microsoft's Messenger allows users to–
(A) to bypass a browser to surf the Web
(B) create a blog
(C) communicate via direct live communication
(D) identify and eliminate spam
(E) make graphic presentations
Ans : (C)

36. Portable computer, also known as laptop computer, weighing between 4 and 10 pounds is called–
(A) general-purpose application
(B) Internet
(C) scanner
(D) printer
(E) notebook computer
Ans : (E)

37. The main circuit-board of the system unit is the–
(A) computer program
(B) control unit
(C) motherboard
(D) RAM
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

38. Which of the following is billionth of a second ?
(A) Gigabyte
(B) Terabyte
(C) Nanosecond
(D) Microsecond
(E) Terasecond
Ans : (C)

39. Online Marketing is the function of which of the following ?
(A) Purchase Section
(B) Production Department
(C) I.T. Department
(D) Designs Section
(E) A collective function of all staff
Ans : (E)

40. Customisation is useful for–
(A) Designing customer specific products
(B) Call centers
(C) Publicity
(D) Motivating the staff
(E) Cold calls
Ans : (A)

41. The key challenge to market driven strategy is–
(A) Selling maximum products
(B) Employing maximum DSAs
(C) Delivering superior value to customers
(D) Being rigid to changes
(E) Adopting short term vision
Ans : (C)

42. Effective Selling skills depends on–
(A) Size of the sales teams
(B) Age of the sales teams
(C) Peerstrength
(D) Knowledge level of the sales team
(E) Educational level of the sales team
Ans : (C)

43. Generation of sales leads can be improved by–
(A) Being very talkative
(B) Increasing personal and professional contacts
(C) Being passive
(D) Engaging Recovery Agents
(E) Product designs
Ans : (B)

44. A Market Plan is–
(A) Performance Appraisal of marketing staff
(B) Company Prospectus
(C) Documented marketing strategies
(D) Business targets
(E) Call centre
Ans : (C)

45. Marketing channels mean–
(A) Delivery objects
(B) Sales targets
(C) Delivery outlets
(D) Delivery boys
(E) Sales teams
Ans : (C)

46. Social Marketing means–
(A) Share market prices
(B) Marketing by the entire society
(C) Internet Marketing
(D) Marketing for a social cause
(E) Society bye-laws
Ans : (D)

47. Service Marketing is the same as–
(A) Internet Marketing
(8) Telemarketing
(C) Internal Marketing
(D) Relationship Marketing
(E) Transaction Marketing
Ans : (D)

48. Market driven strategies include–
(A) Identifying problems
(8) Planning marketing tactics of peers
(C) Positioning the Organisation and its brands in the market place
(D) Internal marketing
(E) Selling old products
Ans : (C)

49. Innovation in marketing is same as–
(A) Motivation
(8) Perspiration
(C) Aspiration
(D) Creativity
(E) Teamwork
Ans : (D)

50. Personal Loans can be canvassed among–
(A) Salaried persons
(8) Pensioners
(C) Foreign Nationals
(D) NRI customers
(E) Non-customers
Ans : (A)

BANK EXAMS GENERAL AWARENESS MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT a special, programme undertaken as Crop Production Programme?

a. Intensive Cotton Development Programme                              

b. Integrated Cereal Development Programme             

c. Special Jute Development Programme                                  

d. Integrated Rural Development Programme              

 e. All are included

2. Which of the following services has been introduced recently by the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI in India for the first time?

A. Trading of currency futures

B. Opening of NRI accounts in Indian currencies

C. Foreign Direct Investment through Participatory Notes (PNs) by the Foreign Institutional Investors

a. Only A.             

b. Only B.              

c. Only C               

d. All A, B and C.                 

e. None of these

3. Which of the following is/are different categories of inflation?

A. Open and suppressed                    

B. Cost-push                         

C. Demand-pull

a. Only A               

b. Both A and B                   

c. Both B and C                   

d. All A, B and C                                  

e. None of these

4. As we know, some new Initiatives were introduced in   the area of Fiscal Management by the Government of India. Which of the following acts was passed a few years back to keep a check on the fiscal indiscipline on macro-economic parameters?

a. FERA                

b. FRBMA            

c.  FEMA                    

d. Public Debt Act                

e. None of these

5. Which of the following is NOT a social sector programme being run by the government of India?

a. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission                               

b. National Rural Health Mission                     

c. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme                                         

d. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan                 

e. Mid Day Meal Scheme

6. A State Mission on Urban Poverty has been formed by which of the following states in India?

a. Gujarat              

b. Maharashtra                   

c. Rajasthan                         

d. Kerala                

e. Tamil Nadu

7. The Reserve Bank of India has recently issued guidelines to banks on Pillar2 of Basel II frame work.

Pillar 2 deals with which of the following?

A. Better human resource management

B. Adequate capital to support risks

C. Better profitability with minimum number of employees

a. Only A               

b. Only B              

c. Only C               

d. All A, B. and C                 

e. None of these 

8. The formal or institutional credit delivery system in rural India comprises which of the following?

A. Cooperative Credit Institutions   

B. Commercial Banks                        

C. Regional Rural Banks

D. Self-Help Groups

a. Only A and B   

b. Only C and D                   

c. Only A, B and C              

d. Ail A, B, C and D                            

e. None of these

9. The Reserve Bank of India has decided to help banks, as a temporary measure, by providing additional liquidity support under LAF. What is the full form of LAF?

a. Loan Adjustment Fund 

b. Liquidity Adjustment Facility                      

c. Long Awaited Funds                      

d. Loan Against Funds                      

e. None of these

10. The Government of India recently decided to allow Currency Futures in India. In addition to the Ministry of Finance, which is/are the other organization(s) whose permission/approval is needed for such operations in India?

A. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

B. Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

C. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

a. Only A               

b. Only B               

c. Only C               

d. Only A and B                   

e. Only B and C

11. Which of the following states became the first state in India to reserve government jobs for HIV+ candidates?

a. Maharashtra                    

b. Kerala                

c. Karnataka                        

d. Delhi 

e. None of these

12. Many times we see in newspapers that some projects are launched by the government authorities on 'PPP' basis. What is the full form of 'PPP'?

a. Preferential Payment Plan            

b. Public Private Partnership             

c. Partial Payment Project                

 d. Popular Private Project 

e. Public Private Plan

13. Which of the following is NOT a social assistance programme launched by the Government of India?

a. National Old Age Pension Scheme               

b. Annapurna Scheme             

c. National Family Benefit Scheme

 d. Indira Awaas Yojana                                      

e. All are included

14. An industry which fight hard to increase its market share in existing market (with new popular product) is known as

a. Market vendor                

b. Market operator                             

c. Market leader   

d. Market follower                

e. Market challenger

15. Which of the following is/are the objectives of developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs)?

A. Generate additional economic activities    B. General additional employment opportunities                        

 C. Promotion of export of goods and services

a. Only A                              

b. Only B                               

c. Only C.              

d. Only A and B. 

e. All of these

16. Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme, a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates and increasing institutional deliveries below poverty line (BPL) families, comes under the umbrella of

a. National Rural Health Mission

b. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

c. Bharat Nirman

d. National Urban Health Mission

e. None of these

17. A Bank/Financial Organisation these days relies heavily on e-commerce for its transaction. As a Part of systems security, it has introduced organisation's security awareness manual. This step of the organisation can be classified under which of the following categories of measures for a business?

a. Preventive                         

b. Compliance                      

c. Corrective         

d. Detective           

e. None of these

18. Which of the following products of a bank is specifically designed to provide financial help to children in their higher studies in India or in a foreign nation?

a. Personal Loan 

b. Corporate Loan               

c. Educational Loan           

d. Mortgage Loan                                 

e. None of these

19. A customer wishes to purchase some US dollars in India. He/she should go to

a. Public Debt Division of the RBI only                         

b. American Express Bank only      

c. RBI or any branch of a bank which is authorized for such business

d. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

e. None of these

20. Which of the following policies of the financial sector is basically designed to transfer local financial assets into foreign financial assets freely and at market determined exchange rates?

A. Policy of Capital Account Convertibility                  

b. Policy of Financial Deficit Management    

c. Policy of Minimum Support Price                                                

d. Policy of Restrictive Trade Practices                            

e. None of these

21. Which of the following products launched by most of the banks help farmers in getting instant credit for various agricultural purposes?

a. Kisan Credit Card                           

b. Personal Loan  

c. Business Loan 

d.ATM Card                        

e. None of these

22. Which of the following financial products are NOT much popular in India as they have been launched only recently?

a. Development Bonds                                      

b. Insurance Policies                          

c. Mutual Funds                    

d. Sovereign wealth Funds                               

e. All are very popular

23. Which of the following policies of a country brings a crucial impact on the economic growth of the nation?

A. Fiscal Policy                                     

B. Foreign Policy                  

C. Social Policies

a. Only A               

b. Only B               

c. Only A and B   

d. Only B and C                    

e. All A, B and C

24. In India, Minimum Support Prices are announced by the Government of India every year. Which of the following commodities is not covered under this policy?

a. Sugar                 

b. Wheat                

c. Cotton               

d. White goods                      

e. All are covered

25. The actual return of an investor is reduced sometimes as the prices of the commodities go up all of a sudden. In financial sector, this type of phenomenon is known as

a. Probability risk                 

b. Market risk                       

c. Inflation risk                     

d. Credit risk                                         

e. None of these

26. Which of the following countries has proposed the United Nations to host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations by contributing 10-12 million tonnes of grain to such a reserve?

a. Ukraine                             

b. Russia                                

c. Indonesia                          

d. India             

e. None of these

27. Who is India's permanent representative of the United Nations?

A. A Gopinathan                 

b. Ujal Sing Bhatia              

c. Hardeep Puri    

d. Ravi Bangar                                     

e. None of these

28. British singer and song writer Amy Winehouse, whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead in her London house recently. For which of her albums did she win five Grammy awards?

a. Back to Black 

b. Stronger Than Me                           

c. Rehab                               

d. Love is Losing Game      

e. None of these

29. Which of the following became the first Baltic nation to sign a double taxation avoidance agreement with India?

a. Lithuania          

b. Spain                 

c. Estonia              

d. Poland                

e. None of these

30. Which of the following nations became the first European nation since 1995 to allow its citizens to visit Kashmir after it revised an advisory that had cautioned against trips to Kashmir?

a. Germany           

b. France               

c.UK                      

d. Spain                 

e. Italy 

31. In a landmark move, which of these state governments has set up a Savarna Aayog, a commission to identify the deprived and underprivileged families among upper castes?

a. Uttar Pradesh   

b. Bihar 

c. Madhya Pradesh             

d. Rajasthan         

e. None of these

32. In which of the following countries did the military leadership resign en mass recently, in protest against the government's decision to block promotions of officers accused of plotting a coup?

a. Thailand                          

b. Pakistan           

c. Turkey               

d. Spain                

e. None of these

33. In which of the following countries has the ruling party taken an Initiative to introduce legislation that would allow it to charge three former Socialist prime ministers with mismanaging public finances?

a. Hungary                            

b. Poland               

c. Czech Republic                

d. Venezuela             

e. None of these

34. Which of the following countries has decided to shut down the Mox nuclear facility at Sellafield because of the damage caused by the Fukushima disaster to Japan's nuclear Industry?

a. Australia                           

b. Germany           

c. Britain                

d. New Zealand       

 e .None of these

35. In which of the following places did thousands of people march in streets for the right to hold a referendum for independence from the parent country?

a. Palau                 

b. South Sudan                   

c. Kosovo              

d. Papua New Guinea              

e. None of these

36. In which of the following countries did the government have to unveil a new industrial policy featuring measures like tax breaks, preferences for local firms in government procurement and quadrupling of the number of inspectors to monitor imports, in order to help manufacturers cope with the strength of Chinese imports?

a. Mongolia          

b. Brazil                 

c. Vietnam                            

d. Mexico              

e. None of these

37. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal for enhancement of parental income ceiling for eligibility of post-metric scholarship for students of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from Rs. 44,500 to

a. Rs70,500          

b.Rs80,000          

c. Rs.90,000                         

d. Rs 1 lakh           

e. None of these

38. The 800-MW Koldam hydro power project in Himachal Pradesh which will be operational in 2011-12 and the 620-MW Am6chhu hydro power project, are being constructed by

a. National Hydro Power Corporation           

b. National Thermal Power Corporation                 

c. Reliance Energy d. Tata Power                                                            

e. None of these

39. Which of the following steel companies of India has announced to have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the British-Australian multinational mining giant Rio Tinto for the joint commercialization of HIsmelt technology, the world's first commercial direct smelting process for making iron straight from the ore?

a. Tata Steel                         

b. Essar Group                      

c. Jindal Steel                        

d. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd            

e. KVS Ispat

40. To which of the following planets has NASA recently launched the unmanned solar-powered satellite observatory named Juno on a five-year journey?

a. Mars 

b. Saturn               

c. Venus 

d. Jupiter                

e. None of these

41. In which of the following states lathe National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) planning to invest `1 lakh crore to set up India's largest hydro power project?

a. Himachal Pradesh                          

b. Sikkim               

c. Arunachal Pradesh                         

d. Meghalaya                       

e. None of these

42. Against which of the Indian directors of Goldman Sachs, global investment banking securities firm, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to drop an administrative action for passing inside information to the Galleon Group?

a. Sonjoy Chatterjee                           

b. Karan Bhagat  

c. Anshu Jain                        

d. Rajat Gupta                  

e. None of these

43. Which of the following institution has been given this year's Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for promotion of communal harmony, peace and goodwill?

a. Vidya Bhavan                 

b. Sahmat                             

c. Ramkrishna Mission                       

d. SPIC-MACAY  

e. None of these

44. Who among the following has written "The Times of My Life" as his/her autobiographical reflections?

a. Karan Thapar 

b. Jug Suraiya                       

c. Madhu Limaye                                

d. Shobha De                         

e. None of these

45. For which of the following countries has the international credit agency Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history?

a. Greece                              

b. China                                

c.US                        

d. Japan                

e. Italy

46. The world's largest economy, the United States of America, is undergoing a deep debt crisis. What is the rank of India among the debtor countries to the USA?

a. First                    

b. Second                              

c. Third                  

d. Fourth                

e. None of these

47. What was the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India during the fiscal year      2010-11?

a.7.5%                   

b.8%                       

c.8.5%                    

d.9%                       

e.9.5%

48. In which of the following international film festivals is there an Open Doors section, which started this year with a special focus on India?

a. Cannes Film Festival                      

b. Locarno Film Festival                    

c. Berlin Film Festival                                          

d. Jerusalem Film Festival  

e. None of these

49. Who among the following has taken over as the Prime Minister of Tibet's government-in-exile?

a. Samdhong Rinpoche                      

b. Lobsang Nyima                               

c. Thupten Lungrig                                               

d. Lobsang Nyandak                                

e. Lobsang Sangay

50. In which of the following states is the Central Government all set to open an exclusive Sainik (military) school for girls in a bid to have more women officers in defence forces?

a. Uttaranchal                      

b. Madhya Pradesh                             

c. Maharashtra                    

d. Kerala                                

e. None of these

ANSWERS:            

1. d         2. a         3. c         4. b       5. c        6.  c       7.  e*     8.  c       9.  b   10.e                       11. b       12. b      13. e       14. e       15. e       16. a      17. a      18. c      19. c      20.a        21.a      22. c      23. e        24. d      25. a      26. a      27. c      28. a      29. a      30.a        31.b      32. c      33. a      34. c      35. d       36. b      37. d      38. b      39. c      40. d          41.c      42. d      43.d      44. b      45. c      46. d      47. c     48. b      49. e       50. B

7.E* - Pillar 2 gives banks a power to review their risk management system.