Solved Paper: SBI PO Exam - 2013 (English Language)

English Language

(Held on 28-4-2013)

Directions: 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.

Financial Inclusion (FI) is an emerging priority for banks that have nowhere else to go to achieve business growth. The viability of FI business is under question, because while banks and their delivery partners continue to make investments, they haven’t seen commensurate returns. In markets like India, most programs are focused on customer on-boarding, an expensive process which people often find difficult to afford, involving issuance of smart cards to the customers. However, large scale customer acquisition hasn’t translated into large scale customer acquisition hasn’t translated into large scale business, with many accounts lying dormant and therefore yielding no return on the bank’s investment. For the same reason, Business Correspondent Agents who constitute the primary channel for financial inclusion are unable to pursue their activity as a full-time job. On major reason for this state of events is that the customer ob-boarding process is often delayed after the submission of documents (required to validate the details of the concerned applicant) by the applicant and might take as long as two weeks. By this time the initial enthusiasm of applicants fade away. Moreover, the delivery partners don’t have the knowledge and skill to propose anything other than the most basic financial products to the customer and hence do not serve their banks’ goal of expanding the offering in unbanked markets.

Contrary to popular perception, the inclusion segment is not a singular impoverished, undifferentiated mass and it is important to navigate its diversity to identify the right target customers for various programs. Rural markets do have their share of rich people who do not use banking services simply because they are inconvenient to access or have low perceived value. At the same time, urban markets, despite a high branch density, have multitude of low wage earners outside the financial net. Moreover, the branch timing of banks rarely coincide with the off-work hours of the labour class.

Creating affordability is crucial in tapping the unbanked market. No doubt pricing is a tool, but banks also need to convince customers that they can derive big value even from small amounts. One way of doing this is to show the target audience that a bank account is actually a lifestyle enabler, a convenient and safe means to send money to family or make a variety of purchases. Once banks succeed in hooking customers with this value proposition they must sustain their interest by introducing a simple and intuitive use application, ubiquitous access over mobile and other touch points, and adopting a banking mechanism which is not only secure but also reassuring to the customer. Technology is the most important element of financial inclusion strategy and an enabler of all others. The choice of technology is therefore a crucial decision, which could make or mar the agenda. Of the various selection criteria, cost is perhaps the most important. This certainly does not mean buying the cheapest package, but rather choosing that solution which by scaling transactions to huge volumes reduces per unit operating cost. An optimal mix of these strategies cost. An optimal mix of these strategies would not doubt offer an innovative means of expansion in the unbanked market.

1. Which of the following facts is true as per the passage?

(1) People from rural areas have high perceived value of banking services
(2) Cost is not a valid criterion for technological package selection for financial inclusion initiatives
(3) The inclusion segment is a singular impoverished, undifferentiated mass
(4) The branch timings of banks generally do not coincide with the off-work hours of the labour class in urban markets
(5) All the given statements are true

2. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons do the delivery partners fail to serve their bank’s goal to expand in the unbanked markets?

(a) They do not have adequate client base to sell their financial products
(b) They do not have adequate knowledge and skills to explain anything beyond basic financial products to the customers
(c) They do not have the skills to operate advanced technological aids that are a prerequisite to tap the unbanked market

(1) Only (b) (2) Only (c)
(3) All (a), (b) and (c)
(4) Only (a)
(5) Both (b) and (c)

3. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons is the viability of financial inclusion under question?

(1) The banks always prefer the cheapest package (to cut cost) while making a choice of technology to be used
(2) The Business Correspondent Agents are highly demotivated to pursue their activity as a full-time job
(3) The investments made by banks and its delivery partners are not yielding equal amount of returns
(4) The banks do not have adequate number of delivery partners required to tap the unbanked market
(5) The banks do not have adequate manpower to explore the diversity of the unbanked market and thereby identify the right target customers for various programs

4. In the passage, the number has specified which of the following characteristics of the customer on-boarding process?

(1) In involves collection of documents from the applicants in order to validate their details
(2) In involved issuance of smart cards to the customers
(3) If suffers from latency as it takes a long time after submission of documents by the customer
(4) It is an expensive process which people find difficult to afford
(5) All of the given characteristics have been specified

5. What did the author try to highlight in the passage?

(a) The ailing condition of financial inclusion business at present
(b) Strategies that may help bank to expand in the unbanked market
(c) Role of government in modifying the existing financial inclusion policies

(1) Both (a) and (b)
(2) All (a), (b) and (c)
(3) Only (c) (4) Only (a)
(5) Only (b)

6. According to the passage, which of the following ways may help banks to sustain the interest of their customers after hooking them?

(a) Adoption of a banking machinist which is not only secure but reassuring to the customers
(b) Increasing the number of delivery partners in rural market
(c) Introduction of a simple and intuitive user application

(1) Only (a) (2) Only (c)
(3) Only (b) (4) All (a), (b) and (c)
(5) Both (a) and (c)

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

7. Multitude

(1) Impoverished (2) Handful
(3) Acknowledged (4) Plenty
(5) Solitude

8. Ubiquitous

(1) Quintessential
(2) Popular
(3) Omnipresent
(4) Simplified
(5) Abnormal

Directions: Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

9. Dormant

(1) Emaciated (2) Pertinent
(3) Cornered (4) Rejected
(5) Active

10. Delayed

(1) Perturbed (2) Popularized
(3) Expedited (4) Stablised
(5) Repressed

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

The evolution of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend has been as profound as it has been rapid. It represents the more visible sign that the boundaries between personal life and work life are blurring. The 9am – 5pm model of working solely from office has become archaic and increasingly people are working extended hours from a range of locations. At the very heart of this evolution is the ability to access enterprise networks from anywhere and anytime. The concept of cloud computing serves effectively to extend the office out of office. The much heralded benefit of BYOD is greater productivity. However, recent research has suggested that this is the greatest myth of BYOD and the reality is that BYOD in practice poses new challenges that may outweigh the benefits. A worldwide survey commissioned by Fortieth chose to look at attitudes towards BYOD and security from the users’ point of view instead of the IT managers. Specifically the survey was conducted in 15 territories on groups of graduate employees in the early twenties because they represent the first generation to enter the workplace with an expectation of own device use. Moreover, they also represent tomorrow’s influences and decision makers. The survey findings reveal that for financial organizations, the decision to embrace BYOD is extremely dangerous. Larger organisations will have mature IT strategies and policies in place. But what about smaller financial business? They might not have such well developed strategies to protect confidential data.

Crucially, within younger employee group, 55% of the people share an expectation that they should be allowed to use their own devices in workplace or for work purposes. With this expectation comes the very real risk that employees may consider contravening company policy banning the use of won devices. The threats posed by this level of subversion cannot be overstated. The survey casts doubt on the idea of BYOD leading to greater productivity by revealing the real reason people want to use their own devices. Only 26% of people in this age group cite efficiency as the reason they want to use their own devices, while 63% admit that the main reason is so they have access to their favourite applications. But with personal applications so close to hand, the risks to the business must surely include distraction and time wasting. To support this assumption 46% people polled acknowledged time wasting as the greatest threat to the organisation, while 42% citing greater exposure to theft or loss of confidential data. Clearly, from a user perspective there is great deal of contradiction surrounding BOYD and there exists an undercurrent of selfishness where users expect to use their own devices, but mostly for personal interest. They recognize the risks to the organisation but are adamant that hose risks are worth taking.

11. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons did Fortieth conduct the survey of a groups of graduate employees in their early twenties?

(a) As this group represents the future decision makers
(b) As this group represents the first generation who entered the workforce with a better understanding of sophisticated gadgets
(c) As this group represents the first generation to enter the workplace expecting that they can use their own device for work purpose

(1) All (a), (b) and (c)
(2) Only (c) (3) Both (a) and (c)
(4) Only (a) (5) Only (b)

12. Which of the following is not true about BOYD?

(1) BOYD enables employees to access enterprise network from anywhere and anytime
(2) Due to evolution of BOYD trend the 9am – 5 pm model of working solely from office has become outdated
(3) Recent research has confirmed that BOYD boosts organizational productivity
(4) The concept of cloud computing facilitates the BOYD trend
(5) All the given facts are true

13. According to the passage, why would the decision to embrace BYOD prove dangerous to smaller financial businesses?

(1) Their employees have poor knowledge about their devices which in turn pose a threat to the confidential data of the organisation
(2) The employees are more vulnerable to misplacement of device
(3) They mace lack mature IT strategies and policies required to protect confidential data
(4) They cannot afford to deal with damage liability issues of employee-owned devices
(5) Their employees have a tendency to change jobs frequently

14. According to the passage, the expectation of younger employees that they should be allowed to use their own devices in the workplace, entails which of the following risks?

(a) Younger employees may deliberately transfer confidential data of their companies to rivals if they are not allowed to use their own devices for work purpose.
(b) Younger employees may strongly feel like leaving the company if it prevents usages of own device and join some other company that does not have such stringent policies
(c) Younger employees may consider flouting company policy prohibiting usage of their own devices in the workplace or for work purposes

(1) Only (c) (2) Only (b)
(3) Both (a) and (c)
(4) Only (a)
(5) All (a), (b) and (c)

15. According to the findings of the survey conducted by Fortinet, why do majority of employees prefer using their own devices for work purpose?

(1) As they often find that the devices provided by the company lack quality
(2) As they have access to their favourite applications while working
(3) As majority of them believe that output doubles when they use their own devices for work purpose
(4) As handling data from their own devices reinforces their sense of responsibility
(5) As it helps them create a brand of their own

16. What is/are the author’s main objective (s) in writing the passage?

(a) To break the myth that BOYD promotes employee efficiency and organizational productivity
(b) To suggest ways to control subversion across levels of corporate chain of command
(c) To throw light upon the fact that employees even after knowing the risks involved, prefer to use their own device for work purpose mostly for personal benefits

(1) Both (a) and (a)
(2) All (a), (b) and (c)
(3) Only (c)
(4) Only (a)
(5) Only (b)

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

17. Heralded

(1) Suspected (2) Publicized
(3) Dragged (4) Objective
(5) Benefit

18. Outweigh

(1) Control (2) Venture
(3) Perish (4) Determine
(5) Surpass

Directions: Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

19. Embrace

(1) Contradict (2) Disobey
(3) Curtail (4) Reject
(5) Obscure

20. Subversion

(1) Compliance (2) Sanity
(3) Popularity (4) Destabilization
(5) Clarity

Directions: Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical mistake/error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. Mark the number of that part with error as your answer. If there is ‘No error’, mark (5).

21. There cannot be any situation where/ (1) somebody makes money in an asset/ (2) located in India and does not pay tax / (3) either to India or to the country of this origin. / (4) No error (5)

22. India has entered a downward spiral / (1) an aggressive monetary tightening policy / (2) and law abide sectors are subject to / (3) savage amounts amount of multiple taxes. / (4) No error (5)

23. The bank may have followed / (1) an aggressive monetary tightening policy / (2) but its stated aim of / (3) curbing inflation have not been achieved. / (4) No error (5)

24. Equal opportunities for advancement / (1) across the length and breadth / (2) of an organisation will / (3) keep many problems away. / (4) No error (5)

25. A customized data science degree / (1) is yet to become / (2) a standard programme / (3) to India’s premier educational institutes. / (4) No error (5)

Directions: Each question below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

26. When you want to digitalise a city ______ with millions, you don’t bet _____ the odds.

(1) proceeding, into
(2) teeming, against
(3) undergoing, adhere
(4) dangling, for
(5) falling, above

27. The numbers ________ by the legitimate online music service providers indicate that a growing number of users are _______ to buy music.

(1) morphed, ignoring
(2) labeled, thriving
(3) figured, fanatic
(4) painted, interested
(5) touted, willing

28. If India is _________ on protecting its resources, international business appears equality ______ to safeguard its profit.

(1) dreaded, fragile
(2) stubborn, weak
(3) bent, determined
(4) approaching settled
(5) observed, prepared

29. Brands ________ decision-simplicity strategies make full use of available information to ______ where consumers are on the path of decision making and direct them to the best market offers.

(1) diluting, divulge
(2) tempting, maintain
(3) imputing, overdrive
(4) pursuing, assess
(5) employing, trust

30. Lack of financing options, ________ with HR and technological _______, make small and medium enterprises sectors the most vulnerable component of our economy.

(1) except, loophole
(2) coupled, challenges
(3) armed, benefits
(4) registered, strategies
(5) strengthened, facilities

Directions: Rearrange the following six sentence (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.

(a) The group desired to enhance the learning experience in schools with an interactive digital medium that could be used within and outside the class-room.

(b) Then the teacher can act on the downloaded data rather than collect it from each and every student and thereby save his time and effort.

(c) Editor, decided the group of engineers, all alumni of the Indian Institute of technology, when they founded Edutor Technologies in August 2009.

(d) They can even take tests and submit them digitally using the same tablets and the teachers in turn can download the tests using the company’s cloud services.

(e) With this desire created a solution that digitizes school textbooks and other learning material so that students no longest to carry as many books to school and back as before, but can access their study material on their touch-screen tablets.

(f) A mechanic works on motors and an accountant has his computer. Likewise, if a student has to work on a machine or device, what should it be called?

31. Which of the following sentences should be the FIRST after arrangement?

(1) F (2) D (3) A (4) C
(5) E

32. Which of the following sentences should be the THIRD after arrangement?

(1) A (2) B (3) D (4) D
(5) F

33. Which of the following sentences should be the SIXTH (LAST) after arrangement?

(1) A (2) F 3) E (4) B
(5) D

34. Which of the following sentences should be the FOURTH after arrangement?

(1) A (2) F (3) E (4) B
(5) C

35. Which of the following sentences should be the FIFTH after arrangement?

(1) A (2) D (3) C (4) E
(5) F

Directions: 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 first the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word/phrase in each case.

There is a considerable amount of research about the factors that make a company innovate. So is it possible to create an environment(36) to innovation? This is a particularly pertinent (37) for India today. Massive problems in health, education etc. (38) be solved using a conventional approach but (39) creative and innovative solution that can ensure radical change and (40). There are several factors in India’s(41). Few countries have the rich diversity that India or its large, young population (42). While these (43) innovation policy interventions certain additional steps are also required. These include (44) investment in research and development by (45) the government and the private sector, easy transfer of technology from the academic word etc. To fulfill its promise of being prosperous and to be at the forefront, India must be innovative.

36. (1) stimuli (2) conducive
(3) incentive (4) facilitated
(5) impetus

37. (1) objective (2) controversy
(3) doubt (4) question
(5) inference

38. (1) cannot (2) possibly
(3) should (4) never
(5) must

39. (1) necessary (2) apply
(3) need (4) consider
(5) requires

40. (1) quantity (2) advantages
(3) increase (4) chaos
(5) growth

41. (1) challenges (2) praises
(3) favour (4) leverage
(5) esteem

42. (1) blessed
(2) enjoys
(3) endows
(4) prevails
(5) occurs

43. (1) aid
(2) jeopardize
(3) promotes
(4) endure
(5) cater

44. (1) acute
(2) utilizing
(3) restricting
(4) inspiring
(5) increased

45. (1) both
(2) besides
(3) combining
(4) participating
(5) also

Directions: In each of the following question for words are given of which two words are most nearly the same or opposite in meaning. Find the two words which are most nearly the same or opposite in meaning and indicate the number of the correct letter combination, by darkening the appropriate oval in your answer sheet.

46. (a) Consent
(b) Nascent
(c) Emerging
(d) Insecure

(1) A – C (2) B – D
(3) B - C (4) A – D
(5) A – B

47. (a) Elated
(b) Eccentric
(c) Explicit
(d) Abnormal

(1) A – B (2) B – D
(3) A – C (4) A – D
(5) D – C

48. (a) Abundance (b) Incomparable
(c) Projection (d) Plethora

(1) A – C (2) A – B
(3) C – D (4) B – D
(5) A – D

49. (a) Purposefully (b) Inaccurately
(c) Inadvertently (d) Unchangeably

(1) A – C (2) A – B
(3) B – C (4) B – D
(5) A – D

50. (a) germane (b) generate
(c) reliable (d) irrelevant

(1) B – D (2) B – C
(3) A – B (4) C – D
(5) A - D

Answer

1. (4) 2. (1) 3. (3) 4. (5) 5. (1) 6. (5) 7. (4) 8. (3) 9. (5) 10. (3)

11. (3) 12. (3) 13. (3) 14. (1) 15. (2) 16. (1) 17. (2) 18. (5) 19. (4) 20. (1)

21. (2), Use “on” in place of “in”

22. (3), Use “abiding” in place of “abide”

23. (4), Use “has” in place of “have”

24. (4), Use “most” in palce of “many”

25. (4), Use “in” in place of “to”

26. (1) 27. (5) 28. (3) 29. (4) 30. (2) 31. (1) 32. (1) 33. (4) 34. (3) 35. (2)

36. (2) 37. (4) 38. (1) 39. (5) 40. (5) 41. (3) 42. (2) 43. (1) 44. (4) 45. (1)

46. (3) 47. (2) 48. (5) 49. (1) 50. (5)

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