Bank of India Clerk Exam., 2008 : English Language (Solved) 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 ?
(A) This was what the king had looted from Karnat to distribute among his soldiers as a reward
(B) This was the king’s offering to the deity out of gratitude for making him victorious
(C) It was what the king had plundered from Karnat to display to the people of his kingdom as a
sign of victory
(D) So that the people of the kingdom of Karnat acknowledged him as their new ruler
(E) None of these
2. Why did the king anoint his head with red sandal paste ?
(A) As a mark of celebration to show he had been victorious
(B) It was the usual practice for all devotees at the temple
(C) To show other devotees that he was king
(D) The priest requested him to do so
(E) 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.
(A) Both 1 and 3
(B) Only 1
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
4. What excuse was given for the childrens’ behaviour ?
(A) They were disobedient to their parent’s wishes
(B) They were unaware of the true facts of the battle
(C) They were upset that their army had lost
(D) They were in the habit of lying
(E) None of these
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.
(A) Only 1
(B) Both 1 and 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Both 2 and 3
(E) None of these
6. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
(A) The king stopped at the temple to see what else could be plundered
(B) The people of the village to which the children belonged developed great respect for the
king
(C) The Commander was ashamed at having obeyed the king’s orders to cane the children
(D) The jester was unhappy that the king had defeated the army of Karnat
(E) The children had shown disrespect to the goddess by playing so close to the temple
7. Why did the jester resign from his post ?
(A) He felt that the king was too influenced by the Minister
(B) To show that he disapproved of the king’s action of punishing the children
(C) He did not want to accompany the king on his war campaign
(D) He was no longer able to make the king laugh
(E) 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.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 3
(C) Both 1 and 3
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) None of these
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.
(A) Only 1
(B) All 1, 2 and 3
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Only 2
(E) None of these
10. Why was the king angry with the children ?
(A) Because the game they were playing was dangerous
(B) They had lied to him
(C) They did not recognize him as king
(D) They had unknowingly insulted him
(E) 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
(A) cold
(B) numb
(C) shivered
(D) stood still
(E) chill
12. leave
(A) holiday
(B) transfer
(C) exit
(D) permission
(E) farewell
13. spied
(A) noticed
(B) keep watch
(C) followed
(D) spot
(E) 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
(A) safe from
(B) distracted from
(C) boring
(D) drowning in
(E) entertained by
15. pardon
(A) punishment
(B) excuse
(C) convict
(D) intolerance
(E) imprison

Answers:

1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (E)
6. (C) 7. (E) 8. (B) 9. (D) 10. (D)
11. (B) 12. (D) 13. (B) 14. (B) 15. (A)