Bank of India Clerk Exam Solved Paper 2008 - English Language - Part 1

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.

The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in batttle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”

The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.”

The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.

The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.

That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why ?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely

continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

1. Why were the elephants carrying loads of gold and other valuables?
This was what the king had looted from Karnat to distribute among his soldiers as a reward 
This was the king’s offering to the deity out of gratitude for making him victorious 
It was what the king had plundered from Karnat to display to the people of his kingdom as a sign of victory 
So that the people of the kingdom of Karnat acknowledged him as their new ruler 
None of these
 

2. Why did the king anoint his head with red sandal paste?
As a mark of celebration to show he had been victorious 
It was the usual practice for all devotees at the temple 
To show other devotees that he was king 
The priest requested him to do so 
To show his soldiers that he had visited the temple
 

3. Which of the following cannot be said about the jester?
1. He was not a loyal subject of the king.
2. He was afraid of the king’s temper.
3. He did not support the king’s war against Karnat.
Both 1 and 3  Only 1  Both 1 and 2  All 1, 2 and 3  None
 

4. What excuse was given for the childrens’ behaviour?
They were disobedient to their parent’s wishes 
They were unaware of the true facts of the battle 
They were upset that their army had lost 
They were in the habit of lying 
None
 

5. Why did the jester laugh at the children’s reply to the king?
1. They correctly predicted the outcome of the battle.
2. Their reply was cheeky because they knew he was the king.
3. He wanted to show that their reply was a joke to save them from being punished by the king.
Only 1  Both 1 and 2  Only 3   Both 2 and 3  None
 

6. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
The king stopped at the temple to see what else could be plundered 
The people of the village to which the children belonged developed great respect for the king 
The Commander was ashamed at having obeyed the king’s orders to cane the children 
The jester was unhappy that the king had defeated the army of Karnat 
The children had shown disrespect to the goddess by playing so close to the temple
 

7. Why did the jester resign from his post?
He felt that the king was too influenced by the Minister 
To show that he disapproved of the king’s action of punishing the children 
He did not want to accompany the king on his war campaign 
He was no longer able to make the king laugh 
None of these
 

8. Which of the following describes the Minister?
1. He was jealous of the jester.
2. He was the king’s most valuable advisor.
3. He did not have a good sense of humour.
Only 1  Only 3  Both 1 and 3  Both 1 and 2  None
 

9. Which of the following was/were the outcome(s) of the soldiers beating the children?
1. The animals began to howl and wanted to attack the soldiers.
2. The children’s parents went to the king to beg for mercy.
3. The priest offered prayers to the goddess of the temple.
Only 1  All 1, 2 and 3  Both 1 and 2  Only 2  None
 

10. Why was the king angry with the children?
Because the game they were playing was dangerous 
They had lied to him 
They did not recognize him as king 
They had unknowingly insulted him 
They were rude to him
 

Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. froze
cold   numb  shivered   stood still  chill
 

12. leave
holiday  transfer  exit  permission  farewell
 

13. spied
noticed  keep watch  followed  spot  caught
 

Directions—(Q. 14–15) Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. immersed in
safe from  distracted from  boring  drowning in  entertained by
 

15. pardon
punishment  excuse  convict  intolerance  imprison
 

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