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SBI CLERK 2020 — English Language Questions with Answers

All 50 English Language previous-year questions from SBI CLERK 2020, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. Rani said (1)/ that her father (2)/ had allowed her to sleep over (3)/ at my house today night. (4)

   • a)Rani said
   • b)that her father
   • c)had allowed her to sleep over
   • d)at my house today night
   • e)No error
2. Q2.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. I recommend (1)/ you eat only organic fruits (2)/ and vegetables, (3)/ that are available in local grocery stores. (4)

   • a)I recommend
   • b)you eat only organic fruits
   • c)and vegetables,
   • d)that are available in local grocery stores
   • e)No error
3. Q3.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. All the doctors were (1)/ puzzled on the (2)/ strange symptoms (3)/ reported by the patient. (4)

   • a)All the doctors were
   • b)puzzled on the
   • c)strange symptoms
   • d)reported by the patient
   • e)No error
4. Q4.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. Curry is about to say (1)/ something else, where (2)/ Paul spots (3)/ the final two paintings in the series. (4)

   • a)Curry is about to say
   • b)something else, where
   • c)Paul spots
   • d)the final two paintings in the series
   • e)No error
5. Q5.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. Many organizations have been offering (1)/ attractive incentives to (2)/ their employees in an attempt (3)/ to boosting employee retention. (4)

   • a)Many organizations have been offering
   • b)attractive incentives to
   • c)their employees in an attempt
   • d)to boosting employee retention
   • e)No error
6. Q6.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. Had he not been on his way (1)/ to buy a new cart (2)/, he would never have been in possessing (3)/ of a hundred rupee note. (4)

   • a)Had he not been on his way
   • b)to buy a new cart
   • c)he would never have been in possessing
   • d)of a hundred rupee note
   • e)No error
7. Q7.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. Even on this peaceful night, with no traffic, near flat seas, and perfect weather (1)/ Nillson paced from one wing of the bridge (2)/ to the other as if the ship (3)/ was in the teeth of a hurricane. (4)

   • a)Even on this peaceful night, with no traffic, near flat seas, and perfect weather
   • b)Nillson paced from one wing of the bridge
   • c)to the other as if the ship
   • d)was in the teeth of a hurricane
   • e)No error
8. Q8.Error Spotting

   Find the part that contains the error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'. A fierce white scar ran from his prominent cheekbone (1)/ nearly to the right hand corner of his mouth (2)/, so his lips seem turned up on a side (3)/ in a grotesque smile. (4)

   • a)A fierce white scar ran from his prominent cheekbone
   • b)nearly to the right hand corner of his mouth
   • c)so his lips seem turned up on a side
   • d)in a grotesque smile
   • e)No error
9. Q9.Error Spotting

   One of the bold words is either misspelled or inappropriate in context. Find it. If all are correct, choose 'All correct'. On the Independence (1) Day, there is a HEIGHTED (2) sense of PATRIOTISM (3) felt towards the COUNTRY (4).

   • a)Independence
   • b)heighted
   • c)patriotism
   • d)country
   • e)All correct
10. Q10.Error Spotting

    One of the bold words is either misspelled or inappropriate in context. Find it. If all are correct, choose 'All correct'. He couldn't help SHEDDING (1) tears at the PLIGHT (2) of the villagers RENDERED (3) homeless by the INTRIGUING (4) cyclone.

    • a)shedding
    • b)plight
    • c)rendered
    • d)intriguing
    • e)All correct
11. Q11.Error Spotting

    One of the bold words is either misspelled or inappropriate in context. Find it. If all are correct, choose 'All correct'. The EXPENSIVE (1) camera, which I BROUGHT (2) last week from the store, takes FABULOUS (3) PHOTOS (4).

    • a)expensive
    • b)brought
    • c)fabulous
    • d)photos
    • e)All correct
12. Q12.Error Spotting

    One of the bold words is either misspelled or inappropriate in context. Find it. If all are correct, choose 'All correct'. It was made MANDATORY (1) to SEEK (2) permission of police before ORGANISING (3) any mass PROGRESS (4) on national level.

    • a)mandatory
    • b)seek
    • c)organising
    • d)progress
    • e)All correct
13. Q13.Error Spotting

    One of the bold words is either misspelled or inappropriate in context. Find it. If all are correct, choose 'All correct'. I WANDER (1) how he CULTIVATED (2) his REMARKABLE (3) patience and DISCIPLINE (4).

    • a)wander
    • b)cultivated
    • c)remarkable
    • d)discipline
    • e)All correct
14. Q14.English Language

    Choose the most suitable pair of phrases which makes a grammatically correct and contextually coherent statement. COLUMN A: A. The regulator did not wait for sufficient safety and efficacy data to be collected; B. If there is already some degree of apprehension about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines; C. If the answers to those questions are affirmative, then. COLUMN B: D. the opaque nature of the approval process has done little to mitigate such concerns; E. and did not share information about the clinical trials before granting approval; F. made assumptions about increasing rates of technological progress is very reasonable.

    • a)B-D
    • b)A-E & B-D
    • c)C-D & B-F
    • d)A-E & C-F
    • e)A-E, B-D & B-F
15. Q15.English Language

    Choose the most suitable pair of phrases which makes a grammatically correct and contextually coherent statement. COLUMN A: A. These regulatory bodies and committees have remained silent; B. More than being a scientific methodology; C. The coercive attempt to falsify a study participant's claims and intimidate him or her. COLUMN B: D. violates the agreed upon rules of clinical trials; E. clinical trials are a method of human cooperation; F. the impression that they are not independent.

    • a)B-D
    • b)A-E & B-D
    • c)C-D & B-F
    • d)A-E & C-F
    • e)B-E & C-D
16. Q16.English Language

    Choose the word(s) that can replace the highlighted word to make a grammatically and contextually meaningful sentence. There is a vending machine on the platform that dispenses snacks. (i) Disburses (ii) Squander (iii) Distributes

    • a)Only (i)
    • b)Both (i) & (iii)
    • c)None can replace
    • d)Only (ii)
    • e)Only (iii)
17. Q17.English Language

    Choose the word(s) that can replace the highlighted word 'mechanism'. India and Japan have devised a mechanism for cooperation in the steel industry at the joint secretary level. (i) System (ii) Method (iii) tools

    • a)Only (i)
    • b)Both (i) & (iii)
    • c)Both (i) & (ii)
    • d)Only (ii)
    • e)None can replace
18. Q18.English Language

    Choose the word(s) that can replace the highlighted word 'qualify'. Your business premises which qualify for business asset taper relief have become too cramped. (i) Hamper (ii) Measured (iii) Inclined

    • a)None can replace
    • b)Both (i) & (iii)
    • c)Both (i) & (ii)
    • d)Only (ii)
    • e)Only (iii)
19. Q19.English Language

    Choose the word(s) that can replace the highlighted word 'disruption'. The misuse of the Governor's office to undermine duly elected State governments is a particularly mischievous disruption of federalism. (i) Disturbance (ii) Obstruction (iii) Relevant

    • a)None can replace
    • b)Both (i) & (iii)
    • c)Both (i) & (ii)
    • d)Only (ii)
    • e)Only (iii)
20. Q20.English Language

    Choose the best alternative to fill the blanks. Police _______ Notorious Gangster after relentless chase that _________ for 3 weeks.

    • a)Arrest, reigned
    • b)Nabbed, lasted
    • c)Snatched, persist
    • d)Contempt, endured
    • e)Apprehend, sustain
21. Q21.English Language

    Choose the best alternative to fill the blanks. Tropical rain forests choked in fog and continuously ________ by mists and down pours are least _______ by fires.

    • a)Rejuvenate, impact
    • b)Exhausted, Overwhelm
    • c)Drenched, affected
    • d)Approach, Influence
    • e)Devoured, swayed
22. Q22.English Language

    Choose the best alternative to fill the blanks. An interview is a good chance to _________ how candidates _________ difficult situations.

    • a)Discuss, improved
    • b)Assess, addressed
    • c)Analyze, tackling
    • d)Evaluate, approach
    • e)understand, enhance
23. Q23.English Language

    Improve the bold part if needed. He made himself master of practically every branch of medieval learning, and has a thoroughly knowledge of the sources and the bibliography of his subject.

    • a)having a thorough knowledge of
    • b)has had a thorough knowledge to
    • c)Have a thoroughly knowledge for
    • d)had a thorough knowledge of
    • e)No Correction required
24. Q24.English Language

    Improve the bold part if needed. Gionee has been found guilty for intentionally inflicting malware in over 20 million phones by a Chinese court.

    • a)had been found guilty for
    • b)has been found guilty of
    • c)has been found being guilty with
    • d)have found to guilty for
    • e)No Correction required
25. Q25.English Language

    Improve the bold part if needed. Many people believe that voluntary bodies as they are today should not entrusted with this national responsibility.

    • a)be entrust not with
    • b)not be entrust with
    • c)not being entrusted for
    • d)not be entrusted with
    • e)No Correction required
26. Q26.English Language

    Pick the most suitable option to interchange the highlighted words so that the statement becomes grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. The MNM's promise to directly pay women a monthly amount may be competitive (A) as a landscape (B) to grab attention in an over-crowded, highly viewed (C) electoral strategy (D).

    • a)CDAB
    • b)No rearrangement required
    • c)BDCA
    • d)ADCB
    • e)CABD
27. Q27.English Language

    Pick the most suitable option to interchange the highlighted words. With the Indian economy gradually debating (A) its feet after a historic contraction, economic commentators have finding (B) themselves with viability (C) the need for fiscal expansion and the busied (D) of a 'V-shaped recovery'.

    • a)CADB
    • b)ABDC
    • c)No rearrangement required
    • d)BDAC
    • e)DBAC
28. Q28.English Language

    PASSAGE (Conscious Consumption): In some ways we already do: every time we spend our cash we are making an active choice about the companies we support and the practices we endorse. Today, when corporations can be more influential than entire states, where we put our pounds is where the power lies. The retail manufacturing industry is the second most polluting industry on earth, second only to oil. According to Annie Leonard, only 1% of the materials used to produce our consumer goods are still in use six months after sale. Price and speed are trumping value. However, the tide is turning. Increasing awareness has led to a rise in conscious consumption, a movement of people who seek out ways to make positive decisions about what to buy. A third of UK consumers claim to be very concerned about the origin of products. A study from YouGov and the Global Poverty Project revealed 74% of those surveyed would pay an extra 5% for their clothes if there was a guarantee workers were paid fairly and working in safe conditions. The fashion industry could take 125 million people out of poverty by adding only 1% of its profits to workers' wages. Businesses must keep up with growing demands for ethical behaviour and transparency. I believe technology is the key to dealing with the challenges created by consumerism. QUESTION: Why must businesses keep up with growing demands of ethical behaviour and transparency?

    • a)As the world of business can be opaque and supply chains are murky
    • b)As the value of craftsmanship and of provenance has been lost
    • c)As they want to tackle the huge impact our current production levels having on the world
    • d)As Customers are taking an increasing interest in the ethical practices of those from whom they buy
    • e)None of these
29. Q29.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] Which of the following statement(s) is/are corroborating the statement made by the author that 'the tide is turning'? (i) 74% of those surveyed would pay an extra 5% for their clothes if there was a guarantee that workers were paid fairly; (ii) Awareness about environmentally conscious manufacturing processes among customers while making their choices is increasing; (iii) Every time we spend our cash, we are making an active choice about the companies we support and the practices we endorse.

    • a)Both (i) & (ii)
    • b)Both (i) & (iii)
    • c)Only (iii)
    • d)Only (i)
    • e)None of these
30. Q30.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] Which of the following statement is true in context of the passage?

    • a)The biggest problem with consumerism is the fact that people do not realize that there is a problem.
    • b)Difficulty in making an informed choice is increasingly important for the conscious consumer.
    • c)We are currently consuming resources at an unsustainable rate, which is causing mass environmental destruction and social problems across the world.
    • d)Conscious consumption can help in taking significant number of people out of poverty.
    • e)None of these
31. Q31.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] According to the author how can we tackle the impact of consumerism?

    • a)By using technology in order to increase transparency in supply chains
    • b)By repleting the resources which were otherwise depleted due to overconsumption
    • c)By increasing the lifespan of the products so as to reduce the consumption
    • d)By spending extra for the products if there was a guarantee worker were being paid fairly
    • e)None of these
32. Q32.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] Which of the following word is most similar in meaning to the word 'endorse' as given in the passage?

    • a)Sabotage
    • b)Promote
    • c)Veto
    • d)Deliberate
    • e)Censure
33. Q33.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] Which of the following word is most similar in meaning to the word 'staggering' as given in the passage?

    • a)Enfeebling
    • b)Common
    • c)Mundane
    • d)Draining
    • e)Confound
34. Q34.English Language

    [Refer to the Conscious Consumption passage in Q15] Choose the most suitable word/phrase to fill the blank (I): '...which is why this year I have __(I)__ on turning my findings into a social enterprise.'

    • a)Persist
    • b)Sustaining
    • c)Ceased
    • d)Resist
    • e)Embarked
35. Q35.English Language

    Rearrange the six sentences to form a meaningful paragraph. A. This is partly linked to drop in payment rates, as consumers are struggling to pay their bills amid rising consumption and tight finances. B. Embracing energy efficiency can be a win-win solution as this can bring down household energy bills and reduce discoms' financial stress. C. The Indian government has sanctioned liquidity relief to help discoms tide over this crisis, but these are just short-term fixes. D. The rules lay down uniform performance standards for power distribution companies (discoms) and make them liable to compensate consumers in case of violations. E. The well-intentioned rules come at a time when Indian discoms are struggling to manage their finances. F. The Power Minister, R.K. Singh, recently announced the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. QUESTION: What should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?

    • a)F
    • b)A
    • c)B
    • d)C
    • e)E
36. Q36.English Language

    [Refer to the para-jumble set in Q22] What should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

    • a)E
    • b)C
    • c)A
    • d)B
    • e)F
37. Q37.English Language

    [Refer to the para-jumble set in Q22] What should be the LAST sentence after rearrangement?

    • a)F
    • b)C
    • c)B
    • d)A
    • e)E
38. Q38.English Language

    [Refer to the para-jumble set in Q22] What should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

    • a)F
    • b)B
    • c)C
    • d)D
    • e)E
39. Q39.English Language

    [Refer to the para-jumble set in Q22] What should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

    • a)F
    • b)D
    • c)E
    • d)B
    • e)C
40. Q40.English Language

    Choose the sentence which has some grammatical error. If all four are correct choose option (e).

    • a)The government acknowledged that the Form 27 format was problematic and provided an undertaking to the court to effect appropriate amendments.
    • b)Opacity in communication is dangerous when there is high vaccine hesitancy
    • c)Hong Kong should no sooner erase its colonial past the Beijing should demolish the Forbidden City
    • d)We need to improve the availability and affordability of energy-efficient appliances.
    • e)All are correct
41. Q41.English Language

    Choose the sentence which has some grammatical error. If all four are correct choose option (e).

    • a)The growth conundrum that Kantibhai and Sureshbhai plan to solve is perhaps the same which a majority of MSME owners in the country face.
    • b)India needs a nationwide consumer awareness campaign on energy efficiency.
    • c)Record GST inflows in December augur well, but the economy is still in a flux
    • d)The country requires a new political instrument for governability
    • e)All are correct
42. Q42.English Language

    Choose the sentence which has some grammatical error. If all four are correct choose option (e).

    • a)The government has significantly weakened the critical duty imposed by the law on patentees/licensees to disclose patent working information
    • b)Too much of strong leadership has robbed India of its democratic exuberance and constitutional dynamism.
    • c)Core sectors recorded yet another contraction in November, with cement and steel slipping back after a minor uptick.
    • d)Many of his pieces have designs incised or in relief, and others are skilful decorated with gold and silver
    • e)All are correct
43. Q43.English Language

    Choose the sentence which has some grammatical error. If all four are correct choose option (e).

    • a)The gender gap in the agriculture sector will only widen more with the current farm laws
    • b)Journalism focuses on a narrative of gloom that forces many people to avoid news altogether.
    • c)Journalism creates a better-informed citizenry, which in turn creates a better collective future
    • d)There will possibly be a unanimous rejection of the Republican objections to Joe Biden's electoral votes
    • e)All are correct
44. Q44.Reading Comprehension

    Read the passage and answer. Passage: The Indian economy is diverse and embraces a huge area including agriculture, mining, textile industry, manufacturing and an extensive area of other services. Indian economy is the third-largest in the world, as measured by 'Purchasing Power Parity' (PPP). Till today, two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture directly or indirectly. Indian economy is somewhat socialistic in its approach but presently India is competing with other capitalist countries. Colonial rule brought change in the economic structure: the process of taxation was revised, a single currency system with fixed exchange rates, standardized weights and measures, and free trade were introduced. They exported the raw materials and manpower and the finished goods were brought back to India and sold at high rates; these policies were not favourable to the Indian economy. Developments in transport and communication like railways and telegraphs were made. The basic aim of British administration was to transform the Indian subcontinent as a consumer market for British finished goods. Still, the Indian economy is gripped by poverty, population explosion, backwardness in agriculture and industry, low-grade technological development and high unemployment. Which policies of the British were not favourable to the Indian economy?

    • a)Importing workers from Britain
    • b)Exporting finished goods from India
    • c)Exporting of raw materials and manpower and selling the finished goods in India at high rates
    • d)Both 1 and 3
    • e)Both 1 and 2
45. Q45.Vocabulary

    Which of the following means the same as SOPHISTICATED?

    • a)Worldly
    • b)Untenable
    • c)Eclectic
    • d)Eccentric
    • e)Integrity
46. Q46.Fillers

    Fill the blank with the appropriate word. Every afternoon we ____ down and rest for an hour.

    • a)lay
    • b)laid
    • c)lie
    • d)lain
    • e)lays
47. Q47.Fillers

    Fill the blank with the appropriate word. It was foolish ______ him to accept the offer.

    • a)in
    • b)by
    • c)over
    • d)of
    • e)for
48. Q48.Fillers

    Fill the blank with the appropriate question tag. There are some girls in your class, ______?

    • a)are there
    • b)aren't there
    • c)are they
    • d)aren't they
    • e)isn't there
49. Q49.Fillers

    Fill the blank with the appropriate word. If you _______ hard, you would have passed the examination.

    • a)study
    • b)are studying
    • c)had studied
    • d)has studied
    • e)studies
50. Q50.Fillers

    Fill the blank with the appropriate word(s). The local authorities have decided to clamp ______ illegal parking in handicapped parking places.

    • a)Down up
    • b)Down on
    • c)Down above
    • d)Down into
    • e)Down in