Union Bank of India SO English Language Question Papers

Directions (1-5): In each of the following questions a short passage is given with one of the lines in the passage missing and represented by a blank. Select the best out of the five answer choices given, to make the passage complete and coherent.

1. Poverty is the state for the majority of the world’s people and nations. Why is this? ……………………………. Have they been lazy, made poor decisions, and been solely responsible for their own plight? What about their governments? Have they pursued policies that actually harm successful development? Such causes of poverty and inequality are no doubt real. But deeper and more global causes of poverty are often less discussed. Behind the increasing interconnectedness promised by globalization are global decisions, policies and practices. These are typically influenced. driven, or formulated by the rich and powerful. These can be leaders of rich countries or other global actors such as multinational corporations, institutions and influential people. In the face of such enormous external influence, the governments of poor nations and their people are often powerless. As a result, in the global context. a few get wealthy while the majority struggles.
A. Is it enough to blame poor people for their own predicament?
B. What is the government doing about it?
C. Are the wealthy ones in the nation even aware of this?
D. The government has already taken measures to eradicate the same.
E. The huge gap between the rich and the poor in the nation is now narrowing

2. Women’s rights around the world are an important indicator to understand global well-being. A major global women‘s rights treaty was ratified by the majority of the world’s nations a few decades ago…………………………………. These range from the cultural, political to the economic. For example, women often work more than men, yet are paid less; gender discrimination affects girls and women throughout their life-time; and women and girls are often the ones that suffer the most poverty. Many may think that women’s rights are only an issue in countries where religion is law or even worse. some may think this is no longer an issue at all. But reading the report about the United Nation’s Women’s Treaty and how an increasing number of countries are lodging reservations will show otherwise. Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and development for all of society, so the importance of women’s rights and gender equality should not be underestimated.
A. This treaty tackled and solved a number of issues related to women.
B. Why is it then, that women still face a number of problems on the domestic front?
C. Thus, the woman today is ten times more empowered as compared to a woman say about a decade ago.
D. Women’s activists across nations have implored the respective governments to take this seriously.
E. Yet, despite many successes in empowering women, numerous issues still exist in all areas of life.

3. Research has shown that air pollutants from fossil fuel use make clouds reflect more of the sun’s rays back into space. This leads to an effect known global dimming whereby less heat and energy reaches the earth. …………………. However, it is believed that global dimming caused the droughts in certain parts of the world where millions died, because the northern hemisphere oceans were not warm enough to allow rain formation. Global dimming is also hiding the true power of global warming. By cleaning up global dimming-causing pollutants without tackling greenhouse gas emissions. rapid warming has been observed. and various human health and ecological disasters have resulted. As witnessed during the European heat wave in 2003, which saw thousands of people die.
A. This though. does not bring any relief in the problems associated with climate change.
B. This phenomenon thus is part of the climate change problem.
C. Scientists thus believe that this phenomenon goes hand in hand with global warming.
D. At first. it sounds like an ironic saviour to climate change problems.
E. The answer to all our problems with respect to climate change is definitely here.

4. Next to China, India is the most populated country in the world. ……………………… Particularly, rush to technical and higher education has increased as the scope for arts and science has become lesser and lesser due to lack of reforms and upgradation in the course structure and materials according to the developments of the world. Also. qualification in higher education gives added advantage to lace successfully competition in the job market.
A. Keeping this in mind, the government has provided concessions in the admission lees tor the arts and science streams in the country.
B. Naturally there is too much rush and competition in every field.
C. Despite this the rush to higher education is lesser.
D. This population increase, though. has not kept pace with the knowledge expansion around the world.
E. In the next decade it will become the most populous.

5. Analysts and industry pundits forecast that the notebook market, which has been growing faster than the desktop market for the past three years, is expected to overtake the desktop market by the year 2011-12. A fall in prices, large deals from governments and institutions, and demand from consumers and sectors such as education are expected to help the notebook numbers. According to research agencies, the year 2010-11 saw notebook volumes rise, and for the first time a million plus notebooks were sold in India in a single quarter. The market has grown nearly four times for notebooks. The demand is driven by all sectors and a very buoyant consumer market, which prefers mobile computers. Entry-level notebook prices have dropped below the Rs 25,000 mark; this has helped break the ice with new customers. This drop in notebook prices has been helped by the drop in the prices of the building blocks that make a notebook. It’s simple. With notebook volumes growing, the prices of the components are also bound to come down…………………………
A. All this has resulted in a noticeable change in a number of large government tenders for notebooks; which were traditionally for desktops.
B. Because of this the government still prefers desktops to notebooks and has passed tenders for the same.
C. Thereby making them more expensive.
D. Thus the forecast for the coming year states that desktops will be the preferred technology choice only for consumers who cannot afford the exorbitantly priced notebooks.
E. Thus notebooks will become obsolete after a decade or so.

Directions (6-10): Rearrange the following seven sentences 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6 and 7 in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; the answer he questions given below them.

1. To elaborate briefly on these characteristics and dimensions that the author is talking about NRMs are general tests intended to be used to classify students by percentile for measuring either aptitude or proficiency for admissions into or placement within a program.
2. Contrastingly, the CRM, such as a locally produced achievement test, measures absolute performance that is compared only with the learning objective, hence a perfect score is theoretically obtainable by all students who have a mastery of the pre-specified material, or conversely, all students may fail the test.
3. In most of these books the authors classify a measurement strategy as either norm referenced (NRM) or criterion referenced (CRM).
4. Another author points out how the type of interpretation that an NRM offers is the relative performance of the students compared with that of all the others resulting in, ideally, a bell curve distribution.
5. Numerous books on constructing and using language tests have been written by various authors.
6. CRMs, on the other hand, are more specific, achievement or diagnostic tests intended to be used for motivating students by measuring to what per cent they have achieved mastery of the taught or learned material.
7. One of the authors clearly delineates the differences of these two types by focusing on the categories of “test characteristics” and “logistical dimensions.”

6. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?
A. 7
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

7. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 6
E. 5

8. Which of the following should be the SEVENTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

9. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 7
D. 4
E. 5

10. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 6

Directions (11-15): The following questions consist of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given six words as answer choices and from the six choices you have to pick up two correct answers, either of which will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

11. Drugs worth Rs 3 lakhs were ………………….. from the apartment by the police.
(1) Manufactured
(2) Ruptured
(3) seized
(4) confiscated
(5) bought
(6) compared
A. (1) and (4)
B. (2) and (3)
C. (3) and (5)
D. (5) and (6)
E. (3) and (4)

12. A man reportedly ………………… two passports with the same photograph, but under different names was arrested by the commissioner’s Task Force.
(1) possessing
(2) examining
(3) surrendering
(4) mastering
(5) holding
(6) fixating
A. (2) and (3)
B. (3) and (6)
C. (1) and (5)
D. (1) and (4)
E. (4) and (5)

13. The Hollywood star and the Bollywood heroine are being ……………… ass the next big onscreen couple.
(1) labelled
(2) explained
(3) worshiped
(4) touted
(5) exclaimed
(6) shouted
A. (2) and (4)
B. (1) and (3)
C. (2) and (6)
D. (1) and (4)
E. (3) and (4)

14. An organisation …………………. to the mission of road safety has prepared an action plan for reducing accidents and related injuries and fatalities.
(1) specified
(2) inaugurated
(3) committed
(4) kicked off
(5) succumbed
(6) dedicated
A. (3) and (6)
B. (1) and (5)
C. (3) and (5)
D. (4) and (6)
E. (1) and (3)

15. The ability of a woman to do well does not ………………… on whether it is a man’s world or not, because everyone has his/her own opportunities.
(1) trust
(2) depend
(3) reckon
(4) live
(5) rest
(6) believe
A. (4) and (5)
B. (2) and (3)
C. (1) and (6)
D. (2) and (5)
E. (3) and (4)

Directions (16-20): Below is given a single word with options to its meaning in different contexts. You have to select all those options which are synonyms of the word when the context is changed. Select the correct alternative from (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) which represents all those synonyms.

16. LABOUR
(1) expedite
(2) to move taster
(3) controlled
(4) foil
A. Only (4)
B. Both (1) and (3)
C. Only (2), (3) and (4)
D. Only (1), (3) and (4)
E. All (1), (2), (3) and (4)

17. MEAN
(1) imply
(2) understand
(3) average
(4) characterized by malice
A. Only (3)
B. Both (1) and (4)
C. Only (1), (3) and (4)
D. Only (1), (2) and (4)
E. All (1), (2), (3) and (4)

18. REGULAR
(1) present
(2) common
(3) indiscriminate
(4) uniform
A. Only (4)
B. Both (2) and (4)
C. Both (1) and (3)
D. Only (2), (3) and (4)
E. All (1), (2), (3) and (4)

19. MASK
(1) cover
(2) hide
(3) conceal
(4) disguise
A. Only (1)
B. Both (2) and (4)
C. Only (2), (3) and (4)
D. Only (1), (2) and (3)
E. All (1), (2), (3) and (4)

20. ALONE
(1) exclusively
(2) morose
(3) solitary
(4) human being
A. Only (1)
B. Both (1) and (3)
C. Both (2) and (3)
D. Only (1), (3) and (4)
E. All (1), (2), (3) and (4)

Directions (21-35) : 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.

As the country embarks on planning ————-(21)———- the 12th Plan (2012-17) period. a key question mark ————–(22)————– hangs over the process is on the energy require merits.
Growth is energy hungry. and the aspirations of growing at 9-10% will ————-(23)———– huge demands on the energy resources of the country. In this energy jigsaw, renewable energy will ————–(24)—————- like never before in the 12th Plan and —————(25)—————.
By the rule of the thumb, India will —————-(26)———— about 100 gigawatts (Gw)-100,000 megawatts of capacity addition in the next five years. Encouraging trends on energy efficiency and sustained —————(27)————- by some parts of the government the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in particular needs to be complimented for this have led to substantially lesser energy intensity of economic growth. However, even the tempered demand numbers are —————–(28)—————– to be below 80 Gw. As against this need the coal supply from domestic sources is unlikely to support more than 25 Gw equivalent capacity. Imported coal can add some more. but at a much —————(29)————- cost. Gas-based electricity generation is unlikely to contribute anything substantial in view of the unprecedented gas supply challenges. Nuclear will be ————–(30)———– in the foreseeable future. Between imported coal, gas. large hydro and nuclear, no more than 15-20 Gw equivalent can be —————(31)————– to be added in the five-year time block.
————–(32)————— ————(33)————- this. capacity addition in the renewable energy based power generation has touched about 3 Gw a year. In the coating live years, the overall capacity addition in the electricity grid —————(34)———- renewable energy is likely to range between 20 Gw and 25 Gw. Additionally, over and above the grid-based capacity, off-grid electricity applications are reaching remote places and —————(35)————– lives where grid-based electricity supply has miserably failed.

21. A. against B. tor C. onwards D. at E. on
22. A. that B. inside C. always D. who E. where
23. A. forward B. subject C. place D. demand E. replace
24. A. pass B. publish C. feature D. find D. light
25. A. likewise B. publicity C. next D. after E. earlier
26. A. waste B. require C. highlight D. generate E. consumed
27. A. structures B. efforts C. projections D. practices E. developmental
28. A. sure B. unsure C. unexpected D. unlikely E. likely
29. A. nominal B. excelled C. higher D. lower E. expected
30. A. failure B. success C. dangerous D. maximum E. marginal
31. A. certain B. linked C. remarked D. expected E. sure
32. A. When B. But C. However D. If E. As
33. A. for B. with C. is D. ever E. against
34. A. through B. project C. versus D. against E. capacity
35. A. lightening B. making C. touching D. saving E. generating

Directions (36-43): 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.

In a reversal of the norm elsewhere, in India policymakers and economists have become optimists while bosses do the worrying. The country’s Central Bank has predicted that the country’s economy is likely to grow at a double digit rate during the next 20-30 years. India has the capability with its vast labour and lauded entrepreneurial spirit. But the private sector which is supposed to do the heavy lifting that turns India from the world’s tenth largest economy to its third largest by 2030 has become fed up. Business people often carp about India’s problems but their irritation this time has a nervous edge. ln the first quarter of 2011, GDP grew at an annual rate of 7, 8 per cent; in 2005-07 it managed 9-10 per cent. The economy may be slowing naturally as the low interest rates and public spending that got India through the global crisis are belatedly withdrawn. At the same time the surge in inflation caused by exorbitant food prices has spread more widely, casting doubt over whether India can grow at 8-10 percent in the medium term without overheating.
In India, as in many fast-growing nations, the confidence to invest depends on the conviction that the long term trajectory is intact and it is that which is in doubt. Big Indian firms too sometimes seem happier to invest abroad than at home, in deals that are often hailed as symbols of the country’s growing clout but sometimes speak to its weaknesses-purchases of natural resources that India has in abundance but struggles to get out of the ground. In fact, a further dip in investment could be self-fulfilling: if fewer roads, ports and factories are built. this will hurt both short term growth figures and reduce the economy’s long-term capacity.
There is a view that because a fair amount of growth is assured the government need not try very hard. The liberalisation reforms that began in 1991 freed markets for products and gave rise to vibrant competition, at the same time what economists call factor markets. those for basic inputs like land, power, labour etc remain unreformed and largely under state control, which creates difficulties.
Clearances today can take three to four years and many employers are keen to replace workers with machines despite an abundance of labour force. This can be attributed to labour laws which are inimical to employee creation and an education system that means finding quality manpower a major problem. In fact, the Planning Commission, concluded that even achieving 9 per cent growth will need marked policy action in unreformed sectors. Twenty years ago, it was said that the yardstick against which India should be measured was its potential and it is clear that there remains much to do.

36. Why are employers reluctant to hire Indian labour force?
(1) India’s labour force is overqualified for the employment opportunities available.
(2) High attrition rate among employees stemming from their entrepreneurial spirit.
(3) Labour laws are not conducive to generating employment.
A. Only (3)
B. All (1), (2) and (3)
C. Only (1) and (3)
D. Only (1) and (2)
E. None of these

37. What is the state of India’s basic input sectors at present?
A. These sectors attract Foreign Direct Investment because of their vast potential.
B. These sectors are lagging as projects are usually awarded to foreign companies.
C. These sectors are stagnating and badly in need of reforms.
D. These sectors are well regulated as these are governed by the State.
E. None of these

38. Which of the following can be said about the Indian economy at present?
A. It can comfortably achieve double digit growth rate at present.
B. High food prices have led to overheating of the economy.
C. Citizens are affluent owing to laxity in regulation.
D. Private sector confidence in India’s growth potential is high.
E. Unreformed sectors are at drag on economic growth.

39. What impact has the GDP growth of 7.8 per cent had?
(1) Indian Industry is anxious about India’s economic growth.
(2) India has achieved status as the world’s third largest economy at present.
(3) Foreign investment in India has drastically increased.
A. Only (1)
B. All (1), (2) and (3)
C. Only (1) and (3)
D. Only (1) and (2)
E. None oi these

40. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word MARKED given in bold as used in the passage?
A. Decreased
B. Ignored
C. Clear
D. Assessed
E. Imperceptible

41. What is the author’s main objective in writing the passage?
A. Showcasing the potential of India‘s growth potential to entice foreign investors
B. Exhorting India to implement measures to live up to its potential
C. Recommending India’s model of development to other developing countries
D. Berating the private sector for not bidding for infrastructure development projects
E. Criticising the measures taken by India during the global economic crisis

42. What measures do experts suggest be taken to ensure targeted economic growth?
A. Lowering of interest rates to help industries hit by recession
B. Prolonged financial support for basic input industries
C. Incentives to Indian companies to invest in infra structure
D. Formulation of policies and their implementation in factor markets
E. Stringent implementation of licensing system

43. Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word CLOUT given in bold as used in the passage?
A. Strike
B. Standing
C. Force
D. Launch
E. Achieve