Canara Bank Probationary Officers PO Exam 2009
(Held on 15-3-2009) based on memory General English : Solved Paper
Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
John Maynard Keynes, the trendiest dead economist of this apocalyptic moment, was the godfather of government stimulus. Keynes had the radical idea that throwing money at recessions through aggressive deficit spending would resuscitate flatlined economies- and he wasn’t too particular about where the money was thrown. In the depths of the Depression, he suggested that the Treasury could “fill old bottles with banknotes, bury them at suitable depths in disused coal mines” then sit back and watch a money-mining boom create jobs and prosperity. “It would, indeed, be more sensible to build houses and the like, “he wrote, but “the above would be better than nothing.”
As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to throw money at the current downturn-a stimulus package starting at about $800 billion, plus the second $350 billion chunk of the financial bailout-we all really do seem to be Keynesians now. Just about every expert agrees that pumping $1 trillion into a moribund economy will rev up the ethereal goods-and-services engine that Keynes called “aggregate demand” and stimulate at least some shortterm activity, even if it is all wasted on money pits. But Keynes was also right that there would be more sensible ways to spend it. There would also be less sensible ways to spend it. A trillion dollars’ worth of bad ideas-sprawl-inducing highways and bridges to nowhere, ethanol plants and pipelines that accelerate global warming, tax breaks for overleveraged McMansion builders and burdensome new long-term federal entitlements-would be worse than mere waste. It would be smarter to buy every American an iPod, a set of Ginsu knives and 600 Subway foot-longs.
It would be smarter still to throw all that money at things we need to do anyway, which is the goal of Obama’s upcoming American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. It will include a mix of tax cuts, aid to beleaguered state and local governments; and spending to address needs ranging from food stamps to computerized health records to bridge repairs to broadband network to energy-efficiency retrofits, all designed to save or create 3 million to 4 million jobs by the end of 2010. Obama has said speed is his top priority because the faster Washington injects cash into the financial bloodstream, the better it stands to help avert a multiyear slump with double-digit unemployment and deflation. But he also wants to use the stimulus to advance his long-term priorities : reducing energy use and carbon emissions, cutting middle-class taxes, upgrading neglected infrastructure, reining in health-care costs and eventually reducing the budget deficits that exploded under George W. Bush. Obama’s goal is to exploit this crisis in the best sense of the word to start pursuing his vision of a greener, father, more competitive, more sustainable economy.
Unfortunately, while 21st century Washington has demonstrated an impressive ability to spend money quickly, it has yet to prove that it can spend money wisely. And the chum of a 1 with 12 zeros is already creating a feeding frenzy for the ages. Lobbyists for shoe companies, zoos, catfish farmers, mall owners, airlines, public broadcasters, car dealers and everyone else who can afford their retainers are lining up for a piece of the stimulus. States that embarked on raucous spending and tax cuttng sprees when they were flush are begging for bailouts now that they’re broke. And politicians are dusting off their unfunded mobster museums, waterslides and other pet projects for rebranding as shovel-ready infrastructure investments. As Obama’s aides scramble to assemble something effective and transformative as well as politically achievable, they acknowledge the tension between his desires for speed and reform.
1. Obama’s upcoming American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan focuses on which of the following ?
(1) Recovery of all debts from the debtors in a phased manner.
(2) Pumping money very liberally in projects that are mandatory.
(3) Investing money recklessly in any project regardless of its utility.
(A) (1) only, (B) (2) only, (C) (3) only, (D) (2) and (3) only, (E) All (1), (2) & (3)
Ans : (D)
2. John M. Keynes was advocate of which of the following suggestions ?
(A) Spending money recklessly during recessions is suicidal
(B) Exorbitant spending during recessions is likely to boost economy
(C) Aggressive deficit spending is likely to be fatal for economic meltdown
(D) Government stimulus to economy may not help because of red-tapism
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
3. Obama desires to accelerate the process of pumping money with utmost rapidity as he believes that it would—
(1) Help create reasonably high employment opportunities
(2) Avoid deflation
(3) Inject cash into the already troubled economy
(A) (1) and (2) only, (B) (2) and (3) only, (C) (1) and (3) only, (D) All (1) (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
4. Which of the following is TRUE about Keynes’ philosophy ?
(A) Actual spending money during meltdown is more important than where and on what it is spent
(B) Government should be selective in approach for spending money during recession
(C) Filling old bottles with banknotes and burying them is an atrocious proposal
(D) Creating jobs and prosparity during recessions is almost an impracticable proposal
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
5. What, according to Keynes, is the “aggregate demand” ?
(A) Goods and Services Sector
(B) Stimulation of a short-term activity
(C) Attempting to rev up the sluggish economy
(D) Pumping one trillion dollars into economy
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)
6. According to the author of the passage, food stamps, bridge repairs, etc. are the projects that—
(A) Do not warrant urgent spending as they have a lower utility value
(B) Need the least investment and priority as compared to building houses for the needy
(C) May not have any favourable impact on attempts to counter recession
(D) Have lower value in terms of returns but require major investments
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)
7. The author of the passage calls Barack Obama and his team as “Keynesians” because—
(A) Barack Obama has been reluctant to follow Keynes’ philosophy
(B) His team is advising Barack to refrain from Keynes’ philosophy
(C) Barack Obama and his team have decided to fil old bottles with banknotes
(D) Building houses has been under the active consideration of Barack Obama and his team
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)
8. Highways, bridges, ethanol plants, etc. are considered by the author as—
(A) Reasonably appropriate propositions to spend money on
(B) Measures that affect the environment adversely
(C) Imprudent proposals to waste money on
(D) Tax saving schemes bestowed on builders
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
9. Which of the following is/are corrective measure(s) as part of the long term priorities of Obama that was an outcome of his predecessor’s regime ?
(1) Countering recession through immediate rescue operations.
(2) Reining the budget deficit.
(3) Creating a more sustainable economy.
(A) (1) & (2) only, (B) (2) & (3) only, (C) (1) & (3) only, (D) (2) only, (E) None of these
Ans : (E)
Directions—(Q. 10–12) Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
10. Raucous: (A) Strident, (B) Harsh, (C) Rough, (D) Unprecedented, (E) Soft
Ans : (E)
11. Beleaguered: (A) Carefree, (B) Harassed, (C) Stressful, (D) Uneventful, (E) Evaporating
Ans : (A)
12. Moribund : (A) Declining, (B) Waning, (C) Thriving, (D) Pessimistic, (E) Glorifying
Ans : (C)
Directions—(Q. 13–15) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word given in bold as used in the passage.
13. Frenzy: (A) Passion ,(B) Expression ,(C) Succession ,(D) Habit, (E) Manifestation
Ans : (A)
14. Apocalyptic: (A) Unwelcome, (B) Disastrous, (C) Risk-free, (D) Joyous, (E) Ceremonious
Ans : (B)
15. Resuscitate; (A) Melt down, (B) Devastate, (C) Mislead, (D) Save, (E) Deactivate
Ans : (E)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) In each of these questions four words are given denoted by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Two of these words may be either synonyms or antonyms. Find out the correct pair in each question.
16. (1) Tranquility, (2) Loyalty, (3) Calamity, (4) Uproar,
(A) 1–3, (B) 2–4, (C) 2–3, (D) 3–4, (E) 1–4
Ans : (E)
17. (1) Exorbitant, (2) Expeditious, (3) Quick, (4) Quest
(A) 3–4, (B) 1–2, (C) 1–4, (D) 3–2, (E) None of these
Ans : (C)
18. (1) Opaque, (2) Translucent, (3) Transverse, (4) Transvestite
(A) 1–4, (B) 2–4, (C) 3–1, (D) 2–1, (E) None of these
Ans : (D)
19. (1) Ecstasy, (2) Depression, (3) Intoxication, (4) Compression
(A) 1–2, (B) 2–4, (C) 2–3, (D) 3–4, (E) None of these
Ans : (A)
20. (1) Vilification, (2) Nullification, (3) Denigration, (4) Falsification
(A) 1–2, (B) 2–3, (C) 1–3, (D) 2–4, (E) None of these
Ans : (B)
Directions—(Q. 21–30) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer.
21. Radha’s three children, Shantana, Manu and Meera are talented, but the latter excels the other two.
(A) the last excels, (B) latter excel, (C) the latter excelling, (D) the last excelling,
Ans : (A)
22. Students are not abandoning helmets, but some avoiding use of helmets while riding motorbikes.
(A) some avoid the used, (B) some avoid of the use, (C) some are avoiding of use
(D) some are avoiding use
Ans : (D)
23. We must treat any statement as a rumour until they are confirmed with proof.
(A) till they are confirmed, (B) until they are confirming
(C) until it is confirmed, (D) until it is confirming
Ans : (C)
24. The officer appreciated his subordinate’s many attempt to bravely confront the miscreants.
(A) many attempting brave confronts, (B) many brave attempts to confront
(C) repeated attempts to brave confront, (D) many attempts of brave confront
Ans : (B)
25. We admire him attempting to climb the summit in such a bad weather.
(A) his attempting to climb, (B) his attempt of climb
(C) him for attempt of climb, (D) his for attempt to climbing
Ans : (E)
26. Being a successful businessman demands hard work, honesty, persuasive skills and sound market knoweldge.
(A) To be a successful business who demands
(B) Being a successfully demanding businessman
(C) To be a successful businessman demanding
(D) For being a successful demanding businessman
Ans : (E)
27. Was it they who were accused of stealing the neighbour’s car ?
(A) Were it they who were, (B) Was it they who had
(C) Were they who, (D) Were it they who
Ans : (A)
28. The doctor has advised him to lay in bed at least for two weeks.
(A) that he lay in bed, (B) that he lays in bed
(C) to lie in bed, (D) to be laid in bed
Ans : (C)
29. He is the only one of the members who have paid all the dues.
(A) Member who has paid, (B) Members who have been paying
(C) Member who has been paid, (D) members who has paid
Ans : (D)
30. Neither any of the members of the society nor the Chairman were present for the annual meeting.
(A) were present at, (B) was present for
(C) have been present, (D) has been present for
Ans : (B)
Directions—(Q. 31–35) In each sentence below one word has been printed in bold. Below the sentence, five words are suggested, one of which can replace the word printed in bold, without changing the meaning of the sentence. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
31. She came in utter disrepute due to her vindictive act.
(A) revengeful, (B) ungrateful, (C) unpardonable, (D) uneventful, (E) derogatory
Ans : (A)
32. His attempts to equivocate the subject under discussion were thwarted.
(A) balance, (B) defend, (C) mislead, (D) adjust, (E) reconcile
Ans : (C)
33. He was conceptually clear about the problem and therefore could provide a pragmatic solution.
(A) diplomatic, (B) practical, (C) analytical, (D) tolerable, (E) acceptable
Ans : (B)
34. They returned after their ignominious defeat in the foreign country.
(A) irreversible, (B) impertinent, (C) indecisive, (D) impulse, (E) disgraceful
Ans : (E)
35. The minister’s clandestine meeting with the opposition party leader was severely criticized.
(A) unofficial, (B) authentic, (C) periodical, (D) secret, (E) purposeful
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 36–40) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3) (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph, then answer the questions given below them.
(1) In all varieties of humour, especially the subtle ones it is therefore what the reader thinks which gives extra meaning to these verses.
(2) But such a verse may also be enjoyed at the surface level.
(3) Nonsense verse is one of the most sophisticated forms of literature.
(4) This fulfils the author’s main intention in such a verse which is to give pleasure.
(5) However the reader who understands the broad implications of the content and allusion finds greater pleasure
(6) The reason being it requires the reader to supply a meaning beyond the surface meaning.
36. Which of the following is the THIRD sentence ?
(A) (1), (B) (2), (C) (6), (D) (3), (E) (4)
Ans : (A)
37. Which of the following is the SECOND sentence ?
(A) (1), (B) (5), (C) (6), (D) (2), (E) (3)
Ans : (C)
38. Which of the following is the FIFTH sentence ?
(A) (4), (B) (5), (C) (2), (D) (3), (E) (1)
Ans : (A)
39. Which of the following is the FIRST sentence ?
(A) (5), (B) (1), (C) (6), (D) (4), (E) (3)
Ans : (E)
40. Which of the following is the SIXTH (LAST) sentence ?
(A) (6), (B) (5), (C) (4), (D) (1), (E) (3)
Ans : (B)
Directions—(Q. 41–50) 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.
The U.S. is in the …41… of a cleanup of toxic financial waste that will …42… taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, at the very least. The primary manufacturers of these hazardous products …43… multimillion- dollar paychecks for their efforts. So why shouldn’t they …44… to pay for their mopup ? This is, after all, what the U.S. Congress …45… in 1980 for …46… of actual toxic waste. Under the Superfund law …47… that year, polluters …48… for the messes they make. Environmental lawyer E. Michael Thomas sees no …49… lawmakers couldn’t demand the same of financial polluters and …50… them to ante up some of the bank bailout money.
41. (A) essence, (B) debate, (C) range, (D) depth, (E) midst
Ans : (E)
42. (A) facilitate, (B) save, (C) benefit, (D) cost, (E) earn
Ans : (D)
43. (A) spent, (B) pocketed, (C) donated, (D) demanded, (E) dwindled
Ans : (A)
44. (A) have, (B) admit, (C) hesitate, (D) come, (E) defy
Ans : (C)
45. (A) admonished, (B) visualized, (C) decreed, (D) refrained, (E) commented
Ans : (B)
46. (A) producers, (B) users, (C) consumers, (D) advocates, (E) exponents
Ans : (A)
47. (A) abandoned, (B) enacted, (C) revoked, (D) forced, (E) squshed
Ans : (B)
48. (A) demand, (B) consider, (C) regain, (D) claim, (E) pay
Ans : (E)
49. (A) issue, (B) wonder, (C) practice, (D) reason, (E) compensation
Ans : (D)
50. (A) dupe, (B) follow, (C) force, (D) plead, (E) appeal
Ans : (C)
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