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Question 1English Language

In the sentence 'The manager, along with the two clerks, ______ responsible for reconciling the branch ledger,' which verb form correctly completes the blank?

  1. were
  2. is Correct answer.
  3. are
  4. have been

Explanation

When a singular subject is followed by a parenthetical phrase introduced by 'along with', 'as well as' or 'together with', the verb agrees with the first subject only. The true subject here is 'The manager', which is singular, so the singular verb 'is' is required. The intervening phrase does not make the subject plural.

Question 2English Language

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined part: 'No sooner had the auditor entered the vault than the alarm rang.'

  1. entered the vault than
  2. entered the vault when
  3. had entered the vault than
  4. had entered the vault when Correct answer.

Explanation

The fixed correlative pair is 'no sooner ... than', and 'no sooner' at the start of a clause triggers inversion of the auxiliary and subject. Since the auxiliary 'had' is already inverted before 'the auditor', the correct completion keeps 'had entered' plus 'than'. Option 3 preserves both the inversion and the correct correlative.

Question 3English Language

Which word is the most appropriate synonym for 'laconic' as used in a description of a terse official reply?

  1. concise Correct answer.
  2. ambiguous
  3. courteous
  4. verbose

Explanation

'Laconic' describes speech or writing that uses very few words, so 'concise' is the closest synonym. The word carries no implication of rudeness, ambiguity or length. Only 'concise' matches the core meaning of brevity.

Question 4English Language

Identify the option in which the idiom 'to bite the bullet' is used correctly in a banking context.

  1. The clerk decided to bite the bullet and accept the extra weekend shift. Correct answer.
  2. The manager bit the bullet and the customer left angrily.
  3. The cashier bit the bullet and counted the notes twice.
  4. The teller was bitten by the bullet of rising interest rates.

Explanation

'To bite the bullet' means to endure something unpleasant or difficult with courage, often after delay. Only the first option uses it to mean accepting an unwelcome duty. The other options either misuse the idiom's meaning or distort its form.

Question 5English Language

Select the correctly spelt word to fill the blank: 'The bank issued a ______ notice to all account holders about the revised charges.'

  1. circular Correct answer.
  2. circullar
  3. circularr
  4. circuler

Explanation

The correct spelling is 'circular', meaning a letter or notice sent to many people. The other spellings insert extra letters or substitute vowels incorrectly. Standard spelling follows 'circul-' plus '-ar'.

Question 6English Language

In the sentence 'Having verified the signatures, the clerk forwarded the file to the audit desk,' what is the grammatical function of 'Having verified the signatures'?

  1. An absolute construction with its own subject
  2. A perfect participle phrase modifying 'the clerk' Correct answer.
  3. A dangling modifier
  4. A gerund phrase acting as the subject

Explanation

The phrase is a perfect participle clause ('having + past participle') that describes an action completed before the main verb. Its implied subject is 'the clerk', which is also the subject of the main clause, so it is correctly attached. It is therefore a well-formed participial phrase, not a dangling modifier.

Question 7English Language

Which sentence uses the article correctly for an organization name beginning with a vowel sound?

  1. She joined RBI-approved a training programme last year.
  2. She joined an RBI-approved training programme last year. Correct answer.
  3. She joined a RBI-approved training programme last year.
  4. She joined the an RBI-approved training programme last year.

Explanation

The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that follows, not the letter. 'RBI' is pronounced with a vowel sound at the start ('ar-bi-ai'), so 'an' is required. The article must also precede the compound adjective directly.

Question 8English Language

Choose the option that correctly transforms the sentence into the passive voice: 'The committee will announce the new premium rates tomorrow.'

  1. The new premium rates will be announced by the committee tomorrow. Correct answer.
  2. The new premium rates will announce by the committee tomorrow.
  3. The new premium rates are announced by the committee tomorrow.
  4. The new premium rates will have announced by the committee tomorrow.

Explanation

In the passive voice the object becomes the subject and the verb takes the form 'will be + past participle'. The agent is introduced with 'by'. Only the second option supplies both the passive auxiliary 'be' and the past participle 'announced'.

Question 9English Language

Which option gives the correct indirect speech form of: The officer said, 'I am reviewing the claim files now.'

  1. The officer said that he is reviewing the claim files now.
  2. The officer said that he was reviewing the claim files then. Correct answer.
  3. The officer said that he had reviewed the claim files now.
  4. The officer said that I was reviewing the claim files then.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past, present continuous shifts to past continuous, and time words shift ('now' becomes 'then'). The first-person pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to match the speaker. Option 0 applies all three shifts correctly.

Question 10English Language

Identify the option that contains a correctly used relative pronoun: 'The auditor ______ report was praised received a promotion.'

  1. who
  2. which
  3. whose Correct answer.
  4. whom

Explanation

The blank must show possession: the report belongs to the auditor. The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' links the auditor to the report. 'Who' and 'whom' refer to persons as subject or object, and 'which' cannot express possession here.

Question 11English Language

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly in an official communication?

  1. The branch will remain open on Saturday; the half-yearly closing is delayed. Correct answer.
  2. The branch will remain open on Saturday; and the half-yearly closing is delayed.
  3. The branch will remain open on Saturday; delaying the half-yearly closing.
  4. The branch will remain open on Saturday; because the half-yearly closing is delayed.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related, without a conjunction. The second option places a complete clause after the semicolon. The others create a fragment, add an unnecessary conjunction, or attach a participial phrase that cannot stand alone.

Question 12English Language

Choose the word that best fits: 'The new guidelines are ______ with the existing policy on customer identification.'

  1. persistent
  2. insistent
  3. consisting
  4. consistent Correct answer.

Explanation

The adjective 'consistent' is followed by 'with' and means 'in agreement with'. This fits the idea that the guidelines match the existing policy. The other words either take different prepositions or carry unrelated meanings.

Question 13English Language

In the sentence 'Neither the cashier nor the guards ______ able to locate the missing register,' which verb correctly completes the blank?

  1. is
  2. was
  3. were Correct answer.
  4. has been

Explanation

With 'neither ... nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which here is the plural 'guards'. The plural past verb 'were' is therefore correct. The singular forms would agree with 'cashier' instead of the nearer noun.

Question 14English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence with a suitable preposition? 'The customer insisted ______ receiving a written acknowledgement of the complaint.'

  1. to
  2. for
  3. at
  4. on Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'insist' is followed by the preposition 'on' when it introduces a gerund or noun. 'Insist on receiving' is the standard collocation. The other prepositions do not combine with 'insist' in this construction.

Question 15English Language

Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom: 'The audit team decided to call it a day after checking the last ledger.'

  1. to mark the day as a holiday
  2. to stop working for the day Correct answer.
  3. to call the auditors for a meeting
  4. to postpone the audit indefinitely

Explanation

'To call it a day' means to stop working or bring an activity to an end for the time being. In this sentence the team stops after finishing the last ledger. It does not mean cancelling permanently or arranging a meeting.

Question 16English Language

Which sentence uses the comparative form correctly in a performance report?

  1. This quarter's claims were processed most quickly than last quarter's.
  2. This quarter's claims were processed more quickly than last quarter's. Correct answer.
  3. This quarter's claims were processed more quicker than last quarter's.
  4. This quarter's claims were processed quicklier than last quarter's.

Explanation

Adverbs ending in '-ly' form the comparative with 'more', so 'more quickly' is correct. 'Quicklier' is not a standard form, and 'more quicker' doubles the comparative. 'Most quickly' is superlative and cannot be followed by 'than'.

Question 17English Language

Identify the option that correctly uses a modal verb to express strong obligation in a compliance notice.

  1. Staff might submit the declaration by Friday.
  2. Staff could submit the declaration by Friday.
  3. Staff must submit the declaration by Friday. Correct answer.
  4. Staff can submit the declaration by Friday.

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity, which suits a compliance deadline. 'Can' and 'could' express ability or possibility, and 'might' expresses weaker possibility. Only 'must' conveys a mandatory requirement.

Question 18English Language

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined part to make the sentence grammatically sound: 'Scarcely had the meeting begun when the power failed, and the minutes could not be recorded.'

  1. Scarcely had the meeting begun than
  2. Scarcely begun had the meeting when
  3. Scarcely had the meeting begun when Correct answer.
  4. Scarcely the meeting had begun when

Explanation

'Scarcely' at the beginning of a clause requires inversion ('Scarcely had the meeting begun') and is paired with 'when'. The third option preserves both the inversion and the correct conjunction. The other options break the inversion or use the wrong connector.

Question 19English Language

Which option correctly identifies the type of clause underlined in: 'The report that the auditor submitted was forwarded to the head office'?

  1. An adverb clause of time
  2. A noun clause acting as the object of a verb
  3. A noun clause acting as the subject
  4. An adjective (relative) clause modifying 'report' Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'that the auditor submitted' describes the noun 'report' and cannot stand alone as a sentence. It therefore functions as an adjective, or relative, clause. It is not a noun clause because it does not fill a subject or object slot in the main clause.

Question 20English Language

Select the option that uses the word 'credulous' correctly.

  1. The credulous auditor verified each entry twice before signing.
  2. The credulous ledger was balanced at the end of the day.
  3. The credulous investor accepted every promise without checking the documents. Correct answer.
  4. The credulous interest rate rose sharply last quarter.

Explanation

'Credulous' means too ready to believe things and therefore easily deceived. It applies to a person who accepts claims without evidence, which fits the first option. The other options attach the adjective to objects or actions it cannot describe.

Question 21English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence using a gerund after a preposition? 'The clerk is responsible ______ the daily reconciliation before closing.'

  1. to complete
  2. for complete
  3. in complete
  4. for completing Correct answer.

Explanation

The adjective 'responsible' is followed by 'for' plus a gerund when describing a duty. 'For completing' satisfies both requirements. The other options use an infinitive, a bare verb or the wrong preposition.

Question 22English Language

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion to remove the error: 'One of the reasons for the delay in processing claims are the shortage of trained staff.'

  1. have been the shortage of trained staff
  2. is the shortage of trained staff Correct answer.
  3. were the shortage of trained staff
  4. are a shortage of trained staff

Explanation

The subject of the clause is 'One', which is singular, so the verb must be singular. 'Is' correctly agrees with 'One', while the plural forms wrongly agree with 'reasons'. The noun phrase after the verb remains singular to match.

Question 23English Language

Which sentence correctly uses 'lie' and 'lay' in a formal report?

  1. The files have lied untouched on the desk since Monday.
  2. The files have laid untouched on the desk since Monday.
  3. The files have lay untouched on the desk since Monday.
  4. The files have lain untouched on the desk since Monday. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Lie' is an intransitive verb meaning to rest or recline, with the forms lie, lay, lain. The present perfect therefore requires 'have lain'. 'Lay' is transitive and needs an object, while 'lied' means to tell an untruth.

Question 24English Language

Identify the option in which the prefix changes the meaning of the root word to 'before'.

  1. predated Correct answer.
  2. postdated
  3. antedated
  4. misdated

Explanation

The prefix 'pre-' means 'before', so 'predated' means to assign a date earlier than the actual one or to come before in time. 'Post-' means after, 'ante-' also means before but 'antedated' is a valid synonym; however, the option set requires the single best prefix-based answer here. 'Misdated' means dated wrongly.

Question 25English Language

Which option best completes the sentence with a suitable phrasal verb? 'The branch manager promised to ______ the complaint by the end of the week.'

  1. look up
  2. look after
  3. look into Correct answer.
  4. look over

Explanation

'Look into' means to investigate or examine a matter, which fits handling a complaint. 'Look after' means to take care of someone, 'look up' means to search for information, and 'look over' means to examine briefly. Only 'look into' conveys investigating a complaint.

Question 26English Language

In the sentence 'The underwriter, along with the two surveyors, ______ scheduled to visit the damaged warehouse tomorrow,' which verb form correctly completes the blank?

  1. are
  2. is Correct answer.
  3. have been
  4. were

Explanation

When a singular subject is followed by a phrase introduced by 'along with', the verb agrees with the original subject 'underwriter', which is singular. The intervening phrase does not change the number of the subject. 'Were' and 'have been' are plural forms and clash with the singular subject.

Question 27English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence with an appropriate preposition? 'The claimant was asked to furnish proof ______ the loss within seven days.'

  1. for
  2. about
  3. of Correct answer.
  4. to

Explanation

The noun 'proof' is conventionally followed by the preposition 'of' to introduce what is being proved. 'Proof of the loss' is the standard collocation in formal and insurance writing. The other prepositions do not form this fixed expression.

Question 28English Language

Choose the option that correctly rewrites the sentence in reported speech: The supervisor said, 'The surveyor has completed the valuation report.'

  1. The supervisor said that the surveyor has completed the valuation report.
  2. The supervisor said that the surveyor had completed the valuation report. Correct answer.
  3. The supervisor said that the surveyor completed the valuation report.
  4. The supervisor says that the surveyor had completed the valuation report.

Explanation

In indirect speech after a past reporting verb such as 'said', the present perfect 'has completed' shifts back to the past perfect 'had completed'. This backshift is the standard rule for reported statements. The other options either fail to backshift or mix the tenses.

Question 29English Language

Which option uses the hyphen correctly in a compound modifier within a formal insurance notice?

  1. The well documented-claim was settled within the stipulated period.
  2. The well documented claim was settled within the stipulated period.
  3. The well-documented claim was settled within the stipulated period. Correct answer.
  4. The well-documented-claim was settled within the stipulated period.

Explanation

A compound adjective formed from an adverb ending in '-ly' plus a participle does not normally take a hyphen, but 'well' is an exception that is conventionally hyphenated before a noun, as in 'well-documented claim'. The hyphen joins the two words modifying the noun, and no hyphen is needed elsewhere in the sentence.

Question 30English Language

Choose the word that best fits the blank: 'The branch was instructed to ______ the discrepancy in the premium register before the inspection.'

  1. petrify
  2. rectify Correct answer.
  3. notify
  4. ratify

Explanation

'Rectify' means to put right or correct, which fits the context of removing a discrepancy in a register. The other options have unrelated meanings and do not collocate with 'discrepancy'.

Question 31English Language

Which option best replaces the underlined part to remove the error? 'The number of complaints regarding delayed settlements have risen sharply this quarter.'

  1. have been rising
  2. has risen Correct answer.
  3. were rising
  4. are rising

Explanation

The subject is 'the number', which is singular, so the verb must be singular: 'has risen'. The plural noun 'complaints' is part of the prepositional phrase and does not control agreement. The other options are plural forms and repeat the error.

Question 32English Language

Identify the option in which the underlined word functions as a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses.

  1. The report was submitted late, however the manager accepted it.
  2. The report was submitted late; however, the manager accepted it. Correct answer.
  3. The report was submitted late; however the manager accepted it.
  4. The report was submitted late however the manager accepted it.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as 'however' joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it. Only the first option supplies both marks correctly. The others either use a comma splice or omit the comma after 'however'.

Question 33English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence using an infinitive after the verb? 'The committee decided ______ the claim pending further verification.'

  1. to suspend Correct answer.
  2. suspended
  3. suspend
  4. suspending

Explanation

The verb 'decide' is followed by a to-infinitive, so 'to suspend' is correct. Gerunds and bare infinitives do not follow 'decide' in this construction. The past participle 'suspended' cannot serve as the object of 'decided'.

Question 34English Language

Which option correctly uses the modal verb to express a prohibition in a formal office circular?

  1. Staff need not disclose policyholder data to unauthorised persons.
  2. Staff must not disclose policyholder data to unauthorised persons. Correct answer.
  3. Staff might not disclose policyholder data to unauthorised persons.
  4. Staff should not disclose policyholder data to unauthorised persons.

Explanation

'Must not' expresses a strong prohibition, which suits a formal circular forbidding an action. 'Should not' merely advises, 'might not' expresses possibility, and 'need not' expresses absence of obligation rather than prohibition.

Question 35English Language

Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom: 'The investigation team decided to call it a day after reviewing the last file.'

  1. to stop working for the day Correct answer.
  2. to postpone the investigation
  3. to work through the night
  4. to cancel the review

Explanation

The idiom 'call it a day' means to stop working because enough has been done for the present. In context, the team finished reviewing the last file and ended work. The other options describe actions that the idiom does not convey.

Question 36English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence with a suitable phrasal verb? 'The regional office promised to ______ the complaint within forty-eight hours.'

  1. look into Correct answer.
  2. look after
  3. look up
  4. look over

Explanation

'Look into' means to investigate, which fits handling a complaint. 'Look after' means to take care of someone, 'look up' means to search for information, and 'look over' means to examine briefly. Only 'look into' conveys the investigative sense required.

Question 37English Language

In the sentence 'The policy that the agent recommended was withdrawn,' which option correctly identifies the function of the clause 'that the agent recommended'?

  1. a non-restrictive clause set off by commas
  2. a restrictive relative clause modifying 'policy' Correct answer.
  3. an adverbial clause of reason
  4. a noun clause acting as the subject

Explanation

The clause 'that the agent recommended' defines which policy is meant and modifies the noun 'policy', making it a restrictive relative clause. It is not a noun clause because it does not serve as subject or object, and it is not adverbial. It is restrictive because no commas set it off.

Question 38English Language

Choose the option that uses the word 'credulous' correctly in a sentence about insurance fraud.

  1. The credulous auditor verified each document with great care.
  2. The credulous policy was renewed without any change in premium.
  3. The credulous investor believed every promise of guaranteed high returns. Correct answer.
  4. The credulous manager rejected the claim after a thorough inquiry.

Explanation

'Credulous' means too ready to believe things and therefore easily deceived, so it describes a person who believes dubious promises. The other options describe careful or neutral behaviour, which contradicts the meaning of the word.

Question 39English Language

Which option correctly completes the sentence using a gerund after a preposition? 'The clerk is responsible ______ the daily reconciliation of premium collections.'

  1. to complete
  2. to completing
  3. for completing Correct answer.
  4. for complete

Explanation

The adjective 'responsible' is followed by the preposition 'for', and a preposition must be followed by a gerund, giving 'responsible for completing'. 'To complete' and 'for complete' are ungrammatical after this preposition.

Question 40English Language

Which sentence uses 'lie' and 'lay' correctly in a formal report?

  1. The damaged files lay on the desk while the clerk laid the new register beside them. Correct answer.
  2. The damaged files lay on the desk while the clerk lied the new register beside them.
  3. The damaged files lie on the desk yesterday while the clerk laid the new register beside them.
  4. The damaged files laid on the desk while the clerk lay the new register beside them.

Explanation

'Lie' is intransitive and its past form is 'lay', so files 'lay' on the desk. 'Lay' is transitive with past form 'laid', so the clerk 'laid' the register down. The first option uses both correctly.

Question 41Reasoning Ability

In a certain code language, 'PAPER' is written as 'QBQFS'. How is 'BANK' written in the same code?

  1. DBOL
  2. CBNL
  3. CBOL Correct answer.
  4. CBO L

Explanation

Each letter of the word is shifted one place forward in the alphabet: P→Q, A→B, and so on. Applying the same +1 shift to BANK gives B→C, A→B, N→O, K→L, that is CBOL.

Question 42Reasoning Ability

Pointing to a photograph, Ravi said, 'She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son.' How is the girl in the photograph related to Ravi?

  1. Sister Correct answer.
  2. Aunt
  3. Cousin
  4. Niece

Explanation

The grandfather's only son is Ravi's own father, so the daughter of that son is Ravi's sister. Since the son is 'only', no uncle is involved, ruling out a cousin.

Question 43Reasoning Ability

Find the next term in the series: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?

  1. 40
  2. 38 Correct answer.
  3. 42
  4. 36

Explanation

The differences between consecutive terms are 3, 5, 7 and 9, which increase by 2 each time. The next difference must be 11, so the missing term is 27 + 11 = 38.

Question 44Reasoning Ability

A is taller than B but shorter than C. D is taller than C. Who is the tallest among the four?

  1. D Correct answer.
  2. C
  3. B
  4. A

Explanation

From the clues, C is taller than A, and A is taller than B, so C > A > B. Since D is taller than C, D stands above everyone else and is the tallest.

Question 45Reasoning Ability

If in a certain year 15 August falls on a Wednesday, what day of the week will 15 September of the same year fall on?

  1. Friday
  2. Sunday
  3. Monday
  4. Saturday Correct answer.

Explanation

August has 31 days, so the gap from 15 August to 15 September is 31 days. Dividing 31 by 7 leaves a remainder of 3, and moving three days forward from Wednesday gives Saturday.

Question 46Reasoning Ability

Choose the word that best replaces the underlined part to make the sentence grammatically correct: 'Neither the manager nor the clerks was available when the customer arrived.'

  1. has been available
  2. were available Correct answer.
  3. are available
  4. is available

Explanation

With 'neither ... nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which here is the plural 'clerks'. The past-tense plural verb 'were available' therefore fits the sentence correctly.

Question 47Reasoning Ability

A man walks 5 km towards the north, turns right and walks 3 km, then turns right again and walks 5 km. How far is he from his starting point?

  1. 5 km
  2. 3 km Correct answer.
  3. 8 km
  4. 13 km

Explanation

Going 5 km north and then 5 km south after two right turns cancels the north-south movement. The only remaining displacement is the 3 km walked east, so he is 3 km from the start.

Question 48Reasoning Ability

Which of the following conclusions definitely follows from the statements? Statements: All pens are books. Some books are red.

  1. Some books are pens. Correct answer.
  2. All red things are pens.
  3. Some pens are red.
  4. No pen is red.

Explanation

'All pens are books' means every pen is contained in the set of books, so at least some books are pens. The red books may or may not be pens, so nothing definite links pens and red.

Question 49Reasoning Ability

In a row of students, Anil is 7th from the left and Sunil is 9th from the right. If they interchange positions, Anil becomes 11th from the left. How many students are in the row?

  1. 20
  2. 17
  3. 19 Correct answer.
  4. 18

Explanation

After interchange, Anil occupies Sunil's old place, which is 11th from the left and also 9th from the right. Total students = 11 + 9 - 1 = 19.

Question 50Reasoning Ability

Six friends P, Q, R, S, T and U sit in a row facing north. Q sits second to the right of P. R sits at one end. T sits immediately left of Q. S sits between R and T. Who sits at the extreme right end?

  1. R
  2. P
  3. Q Correct answer.
  4. U

Explanation

Placing R at the left end, S next to R, then T immediately left of Q gives the order R, S, T, Q. Since Q is second to the right of P, P must be third from the right, leaving U at the far left of the remaining slot and Q at the extreme right.