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SBI Clerk practice questions

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Question 1English Language

Choose the word most similar in meaning to 'abundant'.

  1. hidden
  2. ample Correct answer.
  3. scarce
  4. fragile

Explanation

'Abundant' means existing in large quantities or more than enough. 'Ample' carries the same sense of being plentiful or sufficient. The other options describe shortage, concealment, or delicacy, not abundance.

Question 2English Language

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'transparent'.

  1. clear
  2. fragile
  3. bright
  4. opaque Correct answer.

Explanation

'Transparent' describes a material that allows light through so that objects behind it can be seen. 'Opaque' describes a material that does not allow light through, making it the direct opposite.

Question 3English Language

Which spelling is correct?

  1. recieve
  2. reciept
  3. receeve
  4. receive Correct answer.

Explanation

The correct spelling follows the familiar rule that 'i' comes before 'e' except after 'c'. In 'receive', the letters after 'c' are 'ei'. The other spellings violate this pattern.

Question 4English Language

She is ___ honest woman.

  1. the
  2. a
  3. an Correct answer.
  4. no article

Explanation

The article 'an' is used before a vowel sound, not merely a vowel letter. 'Honest' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent, so 'an honest woman' is correct.

Question 5English Language

He has been working here ___ 2015.

  1. during
  2. since Correct answer.
  3. towards
  4. throughout

Explanation

'Since' is used with a specific starting point in time in sentences with a perfect tense. The year 2015 is such a point, so 'since 2015' is correct.

Question 6English Language

Each of the students ___ a book.

  1. are having
  2. have
  3. has Correct answer.
  4. were having

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is 'each', which is singular, even though it is followed by 'of the students'. A singular subject takes the singular verb 'has'.

Question 7English Language

The phrase 'a piece of cake' means ___.

  1. a difficult task
  2. a small portion
  3. an easy task Correct answer.
  4. a sweet dish

Explanation

'A piece of cake' is an idiom meaning something very easy to do. It is not used literally in this expression. The context usually makes the figurative meaning clear.

Question 8English Language

A place where books are kept for reading is called a ___.

  1. archives
  2. museum
  3. gallery
  4. library Correct answer.

Explanation

A library is a place where books are kept for reading and borrowing. The word specifically applies to a collection of books used for study or reference.

Question 9English Language

Identify the part containing the error: 'She have been working here since morning without a break.'

  1. She have been Correct answer.
  2. since morning
  3. working here
  4. without a break

Explanation

The subject 'She' is singular, so the present perfect continuous requires 'has been', not 'have been'. The other parts of the sentence are grammatically acceptable.

Question 10English Language

___ it was raining heavily, they continued the match.

  1. Though Correct answer.
  2. Because
  3. Despite
  4. Unless

Explanation

The sentence contrasts the heavy rain with the decision to continue, so a concessive conjunction is needed. 'Though' introduces that contrast correctly before a clause.

Question 11English Language

Choose the correct passive form: 'The chef prepared a delicious meal.'

  1. A delicious meal is prepared by the chef.
  2. A delicious meal was being prepared by the chef.
  3. A delicious meal has prepared by the chef.
  4. A delicious meal was prepared by the chef. Correct answer.

Explanation

The original sentence is in the simple past tense. In the passive voice, the object becomes the subject and takes 'was prepared', matching the simple past.

Question 12English Language

He said, 'I am busy today.' Choose the correct indirect speech.

  1. He says that he was busy on that day.
  2. He said that he was busy that day. Correct answer.
  3. He said that I was busy today.
  4. He said that he is busy today.

Explanation

In indirect speech after a past reporting verb, present tense normally shifts to past and 'today' changes to 'that day'. The pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to match the speaker.

Question 13English Language

The committee decided to ___ the meeting until next week because the chairperson was ill.

  1. conduct
  2. cancel
  3. attend
  4. delay Correct answer.

Explanation

The meeting is being moved to a later time, not stopped permanently. 'Delay' means to postpone or make later, which fits 'until next week'.

Question 14English Language

Arrange the sentences to form a coherent paragraph: Q. When he woke up, it was already 8 a.m. R. His office began at 9 a.m., and the bus had just left. S. Realising that waiting for the next bus would make him late, he hurried. P. He therefore decided to walk to his office.

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

Explanation

The paragraph begins with waking up late, then notes the office time and missed bus. Realising the next bus would cause delay leads naturally to the decision to walk. Thus Q-R-S-P is the logical order.

Question 15English Language

Read the passage and answer the question. Rina joined a company as a trainee. Within two years, she was promoted twice because she consistently met her targets and helped her teammates. However, she often skipped lunch and worked late, which affected her health. Her manager advised her to delegate tasks and take regular breaks. According to the passage, what earned Rina two promotions?

  1. Her late hours
  2. Her performance Correct answer.
  3. Her manager's advice
  4. Her lunch habits

Explanation

The passage states that Rina met her targets consistently and helped her teammates, which together reflect strong performance. That performance is given as the reason for her promotions.

Question 16English Language

Which sentence uses 'affect' correctly?

  1. The medicine had a good affect.
  2. It may affect the result. Correct answer.
  3. The affect of the news was clear.
  4. He showed a cheerful affect.

Explanation

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence something. In 'It may affect the result', it is correctly used as the verb. 'Effect' is the noun form.

Question 17English Language

The meeting was ___ because the manager was unavailable.

  1. called on
  2. called off Correct answer.
  3. called for
  4. called up

Explanation

'Called off' is a phrasal verb meaning cancelled. The reason given, the manager's unavailability, fits a cancellation.

Question 18English Language

Choose the best replacement for the underlined part: 'She is knowing the answer since morning.'

  1. has known Correct answer.
  2. knows
  3. was knowing
  4. is knowing

Explanation

'Know' is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form. With 'since morning', the present perfect 'has known' correctly shows an action or state continuing from a past point.

Question 19English Language

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'obfuscate'.

  1. simplify
  2. clarify
  3. reveal
  4. confuse Correct answer.

Explanation

'Obfuscate' means to make something unclear or difficult to understand. 'Confuse' is the closest meaning among the options.

Question 20English Language

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'meticulous'.

  1. careful
  2. careless Correct answer.
  3. precise
  4. thorough

Explanation

'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail and being very careful. Its opposite is 'careless', which means lacking attention or accuracy.

Question 21English Language

Identify the part containing the error: 'Having finished the work, the report was submitted by the team before the deadline.'

  1. the report was submitted Correct answer.
  2. by the team
  3. before the deadline
  4. Having finished the work

Explanation

The opening phrase 'Having finished the work' should describe the subject of the main clause. Here it seems to describe 'the report', which cannot finish work, so the main clause subject is illogical. The error is in the part 'the report was submitted'.

Question 22English Language

Read the passage and answer the question. Many cities are replacing diesel buses with electric ones to cut air pollution. Although electric buses cost more initially, their running costs are lower and they require less maintenance. Critics point out that charging infrastructure is expensive and that electricity may still come from coal plants. Supporters argue that as grids become cleaner, the overall benefits will grow. Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. Benefits may grow with cleaner grids. Correct answer.
  2. Electric buses are always cheaper than diesel buses.
  3. Charging infrastructure costs nothing at all.
  4. Diesel buses need less maintenance than electric ones.

Explanation

The passage says supporters believe overall benefits will grow as electricity grids become cleaner. That directly supports the statement that benefits may grow with cleaner grids.

Question 23English Language

Despite facing several setbacks, the team remained ___ and finally ___ its goal.

  1. dejected ... achieved
  2. confident ... abandoned
  3. anxious ... reached
  4. resilient ... accomplished Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'Despite' signals a contrast with setbacks, so a positive quality such as 'resilient' fits the first blank. 'Accomplished its goal' correctly means succeeded in reaching the goal.

Question 24English Language

The idiom 'to burn the midnight oil' means to ___.

  1. celebrate noisily
  2. sleep early
  3. work late Correct answer.
  4. waste fuel

Explanation

'To burn the midnight oil' means to stay up late working or studying. The expression comes from the days when oil lamps were used at night.

Question 25English Language

Arrange the sentences to form a coherent paragraph: Q. It first tested the product in a few small towns. S. Encouraged by the response, it expanded to cities. P. The company then launched a cheaper version for students. R. Sales rose sharply after the launch.

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

Explanation

The paragraph follows a logical business sequence: first testing in small towns, then expanding to cities after a good response, then launching a cheaper student version, and finally noting the sales increase. Thus Q-S-P-R is correct.

Question 26English Language

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to 'candid'.

  1. frank Correct answer.
  2. secretive
  3. elaborate
  4. cautious

Explanation

'Candid' describes someone who speaks openly and honestly, so 'frank' is the closest synonym. The other words describe concealment, care or detail rather than openness.

Question 27English Language

Choose the word most opposite in meaning to 'frugal'.

  1. cautious
  2. thrifty
  3. wasteful Correct answer.
  4. economical

Explanation

'Frugal' means sparing and careful with money, so its antonym is 'wasteful'. 'Thrifty' and 'economical' are close in meaning to frugal, not opposite.

Question 28English Language

The idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' means to ___.

  1. reveal a secret Correct answer.
  2. act very cleverly
  3. escape from danger
  4. waste an opportunity

Explanation

'To let the cat out of the bag' means to disclose something that was meant to be kept secret, usually by accident. It is not connected with cleverness, danger or wasted chances.

Question 29English Language

She has been working in this office ___ 2015.

  1. since Correct answer.
  2. for
  3. in
  4. from

Explanation

'Since' is used with a definite point of time (2015) to show when an action started and continues. 'For' is used with a length of time such as 'five years'.

Question 30English Language

Choose the correctly spelt word.

  1. acommodation
  2. accommodetion
  3. accomodation
  4. accommodation Correct answer.

Explanation

The correct spelling doubles both the 'c' and the 'm' and then uses a single 'm' before 'odation': accommodation. The other spellings drop a letter or change the final vowel.

Question 31English Language

Neither of the two proposals ___ acceptable to the board.

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

Explanation

When 'neither' stands alone as the subject, it is treated as singular and takes a singular verb, so 'is' is correct. Plural verbs are used only when the subject is genuinely plural.

Question 32English Language

By the time we reached the station, the train ___.

  1. has left
  2. was leaving
  3. had left Correct answer.
  4. left

Explanation

When two past actions are mentioned, the earlier one takes the past perfect ('had left'). The reaching of the station is later, so it stays in the simple past.

Question 33English Language

Choose the correct passive form of: 'The workers are repairing the road.'

  1. The road is repaired by the workers.
  2. The road was being repaired by the workers.
  3. The road is being repaired by the workers. Correct answer.
  4. The road has been repaired by the workers.

Explanation

The sentence is in the present continuous active, so the passive must be 'is/are being + past participle'. Only 'is being repaired' keeps both the tense and the passive voice.

Question 34English Language

Choose the correct indirect speech form of: She said to me, 'Please close the window.'

  1. She asked me that I close the window.
  2. She told that I close the window.
  3. She said me to close the window.
  4. She requested me to close the window. Correct answer.

Explanation

A polite request with 'please' is reported with a reporting verb like 'requested' followed by object + infinitive. The word 'please' is dropped in indirect speech.

Question 35English Language

Choose the part that contains the error: The manager, along with his assistants, / were present / at the meeting / yesterday.

  1. at the meeting
  2. The manager, along with his assistants,
  3. were present Correct answer.
  4. yesterday

Explanation

The subject is the singular noun 'The manager'; the phrase 'along with his assistants' is only an accompaniment and does not change the number. The verb must therefore be singular: 'was present'.

Question 36English Language

Select the correctly framed sentence.

  1. Hardly I reached the platform when the train left.
  2. Hardly had I reached the platform than the train left.
  3. Hardly I had reached the platform when the train left.
  4. Hardly had I reached the platform when the train left. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a negative adverb such as 'hardly' begins a sentence, the auxiliary is placed before the subject (inversion), and the second clause is introduced by 'when'. Hence 'Hardly had I reached ... when ...'.

Question 37English Language

He was extremely tired; ___, he completed the assignment before the deadline.

  1. moreover
  2. however Correct answer.
  3. therefore
  4. otherwise

Explanation

The two clauses contrast with each other, so the conjunctive adverb 'however' is needed. 'Therefore' and 'moreover' point to result and addition, not contrast.

Question 38English Language

She could not ___ the meaning of the last paragraph of the article.

  1. make out Correct answer.
  2. make for
  3. make off
  4. make up

Explanation

'Make out' means to understand or decipher something, which fits the meaning of the paragraph. The other phrasal verbs with 'make' carry different senses.

Question 39English Language

A person who studies the stars and planets scientifically is called a ___.

  1. botanist
  2. astronomer Correct answer.
  3. geologist
  4. astrologer

Explanation

An astronomer studies celestial bodies such as stars and planets through observation and science. An astrologer, by contrast, studies the supposed influence of stars on human affairs.

Question 40English Language

Choose the sentence in which 'principle' is used correctly.

  1. He was made the principle of the college.
  2. The principle reason for his failure was laziness.
  3. The principle of the school addressed the students.
  4. She refused to compromise on her principles. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Principle' is a noun meaning a rule, belief or moral standard, as in 'her principles'. 'Principal' is the word for the head of an institution or for 'main'.

Question 41English Language

The committee's report was so ___ that even the experts struggled to follow its argument.

  1. abstruse Correct answer.
  2. lucid
  3. concise
  4. candid

Explanation

The clause 'even the experts struggled to follow' signals that the report was hard to understand, and 'abstruse' means obscure or difficult to comprehend. The other options describe clarity or brevity.

Question 42English Language

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

  1. The job requires candidates who are skilled, dedicated, and have patience.
  2. The job requires candidates who are skilled, dedicated, and patient. Correct answer.
  3. The job requires candidates who are skilled, dedicated, and with patience.
  4. The job requires candidates who are skilled, are dedicated, and patience.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form; here all three should be adjectives: skilled, dedicated, patient. Mixing adjectives with a verb phrase or a prepositional phrase breaks parallelism.

Question 43English Language

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'laconic'.

  1. terse Correct answer.
  2. hostile
  3. cheerful
  4. verbose

Explanation

'Laconic' describes speech that uses very few words, so 'terse' is the closest match. Its opposite is 'verbose', which means wordy.

Question 44English Language

Choose the correct plural form of the word 'criterion'.

  1. criterion
  2. criterias
  3. criteria Correct answer.
  4. criterions

Explanation

Nouns borrowed from Greek that end in '-on' form their plural by changing '-on' to '-a', so 'criterion' becomes 'criteria' (as 'phenomenon' becomes 'phenomena'). The '-s' and '-a plus -s' endings do not apply to this class of words, and the unchanged form is the singular.

Question 45Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

A number is first increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change in the number?

  1. 4% decrease Correct answer.
  2. 2% decrease
  3. No change
  4. 4% increase

Explanation

Successive percentage changes are combined by multiplying the factors: 1.20 × 0.80 = 0.96. Since 0.96 is less than 1, the number ends 4% below its original value.

Question 46Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

What is the average of the first ten natural numbers?

  1. 5
  2. 6
  3. 4.5
  4. 5.5 Correct answer.

Explanation

The sum of the first ten natural numbers is 10 × 11 / 2 = 55. Dividing by 10 gives an average of 5.5.

Question 47Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

Find the simple interest on ₹8,000 at 5% per annum for 3 years.

  1. ₹1,200 Correct answer.
  2. ₹1,000
  3. ₹1,400
  4. ₹1,600

Explanation

Simple interest is P × R × T / 100 = 8000 × 5 × 3 / 100. This equals ₹1,200.

Question 48Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

₹630 is divided between A and B in the ratio 4 : 5. What is A's share?

  1. ₹350
  2. ₹300
  3. ₹280 Correct answer.
  4. ₹360

Explanation

The total number of parts is 4 + 5 = 9, so one part equals 630 / 9 = ₹70. A's share is 4 parts, that is 4 × 70 = ₹280.

Question 49Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

An article bought for ₹500 is sold for ₹600. What is the profit percentage?

  1. 25%
  2. 16.67%
  3. 10%
  4. 20% Correct answer.

Explanation

Profit is ₹100 on a cost price of ₹500. Profit percentage is always taken on cost price: 100 / 500 × 100 = 20%.

Question 50Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

A can complete a work in 12 days and B can complete it in 24 days. Working together, in how many days will they finish the work?

  1. 10
  2. 9
  3. 8 Correct answer.
  4. 6

Explanation

Their one-day work rates are 1/12 and 1/24, which add to 3/24 = 1/8. Together they finish the work in 8 days.