English Language Questions for SBI Clerks

Directions (1-5): Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below each statement should be placed in the blank space provided so as to make a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence? If none of the sentences is appropriate, mark (e) as the answer.

1. It didn’t take long for the locals to realize…………………………: they saw them navigating the cascading river with grace, and baffling as it was, these adventurers seemed ready to risk life and limb for their fix of adrenaline. (2)

  1. (1) that the tourists were not able to do that
  2. (2) that the outsiders were skilled
  3. (3) that the outsiders were killed
  4. (4) that the tourists know the art of sailing
  5. (5) None of the above

2. The biotech industry had argued that much of mutagenesis, or gene editing, is effectively little different to the mutagenesis ……………………………….. radiation — a standard plant breeding method since the 1950s, but the court disagreed.                                                                                                                                                (3)

  1. (1) that is part of naturally forming
  2. (2) that often fails to happen through the radiation
  3. (3) that occurs naturally or is induced by
  4. (4) that is not so common to occur
  5. (5) None of the above

3. A blood-red moon …………. across much of the world on July 27-28 when it moved into Earth’s shadow for the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st Century.                                                                        (4)

  1. (1) shocking the scientists
  2. (2) surprising the astronomers
  3. (3) startled star counters
  4. (4) dazzled star gazers
  5. (5) None of the above

4. Boys in schools may be more ‘cliquey’ than girls, ……………………….. friendship groups often structured around gender, a study has found.                                                                                 (1)

  1. (1) forming the most tight-knit
  2. (2) standing ahead the girls
  3. (3) trying to form groups
  4. (4) scintillating a spark of enthusiasm
  5. (5) None of the above

5. Social mixing patterns are commonly used in mathematical models of infectious disease …………………………….. in public health planning, such as determining effective vaccination strategies.                               (3)

  1. (1) which can create many problems
  2. (2) which can be hardly considered
  3. (3) which can play a vital role
  4. (4) which is an obstacle
  5. (5) None of the above