IBPS PO Prelims 2019 - English Language

Directions (1-5): In each of the questions given below five words are given in bold. These five words may or may not be in their correct position. The sentence is then followed by options with the correct combination of words that should interchange with each other in order to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Find the correct combination of the words that replace each other. If the sentence is correct as it then select option (e) as your choice.

The (A) academician did a (B) commendable job in (C) highlighting the (D)dangers of the so called lethal weapon (E)systems.

Directions (20-24): In the following questions five sentences are given with a phrase highlighted. These phrases may or may not be correct. Following the sentences are four phrases, from which one phrase will replace the incorrect phrase. The number of that correct phrase will be your answer. If the phrase is correct then option i.e. “No replacement required” will be your answer.

Although of the praise, Mr. Trump never formally nominated Mr. McAleenan to run the agency.

Directions (25-30): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

For decades, there has been evidence that classroom techniques designed to get students to (25) in the learning process produces better educational outcomes at virtually all levels. And a new Harvard study suggests it may be important to let students know it.

The study shows that, though students felt as if they learned more through (26) lectures, they actually learned more when taking part in classrooms that employed so-called active-learning strategies. Lead author Louis Deslauriers, the director of science teaching and learning and senior physics preceptor, knew that students would learn more from active learning. But many students and faculty remained hesitant to switch to it.

“Often, students seemed genuinely to prefer smooth-as-silk traditional lectures,” Deslauriers said. “We wanted to take them at their word. Perhaps they actually felt like they learned more from lectures than they did from (27) learning.”

The question of whether students’ perceptions of their learning (28) with how well they’re actually learning is particularly important, Deslauriers said, because while students eventually see the value of active learning, initially it can feel (29).

“Deep learning is hard work. The effort involved in active learning can be misinterpreted as a sign of poor learning,” he said. “On the other hand, a superstar lecturer can explain things in such a way as to make students feel like they are learning more than they actually are.”

To understand that dichotomy, Deslauriers and his co-authors designed an experiment that would expose students in an introductory physics class to both traditional lectures and active learning.

When the results were tallied, the authors found that students felt as if they learned more from the lectures, but in fact scored higher on tests following the active learning sessions.

Ultimately, Deslauriers said, the study shows that it’s important to ensure that neither instructors nor students are (30) into thinking that lectures are the best learning option. “Students might give fabulous evaluations to an amazing lecturer based on this feeling of learning, even though their actual learning isn’t optimal,” he said. “This could help to explain why study after study shows that student evaluations seem to be completely uncorrelated with actual learning.”

Which of the following should be filled in place of 25?

Directions (6-10): Read the following passage and answer the following questions. Some words are highlighted to help you answer some of the questions.

A golden age for Western schools in China may be coming to an end in the face of a new government clampdown. China has been a happy hunting ground for Western schools in recent years, as a burgeoning middle class looks to equip their children with the qualifications to get into a Western university, as well as the skills to join a global workforce. The last five years has seen a 64% increase in the number of students enrolled in international schools in China, which now account for 372,000 children in 857 schools.

But from next year, schools will have to select their students via a lottery, rather than being able to pick and choose from among the applicants. The crackdown has been prompted by fears that foreign-owned schools are poaching the brightest children, according to Richard Gaskell, director of international education analysts ISC Research. The move follows changes introduced last years requiring international schools to teach the Chinese curriculum alongside other national programs.

There is a backlash against the rapid increase in international schools in China, where it’s perceived that they have been simply creaming off the best students. International schools should put expansion plans on hold until the full effect of the changes becomes apparent next spring, he told the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference of leading fee-paying schools in the U.K.

The international schools market has exploded in China in recent years, after the authorities relaxed regulations Chinese children attending foreign-owned schools. Until then, international schools almost entirely served the children of foreign nationals, but opening them up to Chinese children revealed a massive and previously untapped demand.

For the growing Chinese middle class, the schools provided a more reliable route that Chinese national schools for getting into highly-regarded universities in the West, particularly those in the U.S. and U.K. These students, in turn, represent a lucrative source of income, for both the schools themselves and for Western universities. The annual fee for a leading international school is around 280,000 yuan, or $39,000. China is the largest source of international students at U.K. universities, __ for more than one in five at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Some of the most prestigious private schools have sought to capitalise on their brand by opening branches in China in recent years. A record 14 British international schools have opened or are due to open in China this year, including outposts of the King’s School, Canterbury, and Shrewsbury School, which counts Charles Darwin among its alumni.

But despite the increased scrutiny, there are still opportunities for international schools to open in China, given the "massive demand" among Chinese families. There is a deep desire amongst the wealthy, middle class and young Chinese parents for a Western style of education. Parents want an international education but also want their children to retain their culture and identity, he added, as well as excellent exam results and "places at the top universities."

Which of the following statements is not true as per the information given in the passage above?

(I) Many international universities are cancelling their plans to build universities in China owing to increasing restriction by Chinese government.

(II) Although there is huge demand for UK universities in China, the number of UK universities is coming down.

(III) Parents want their children to be more inclined towards the Western education for stronger workforce instead of retaining their culture and identity.

Police said the case huge amounts of public money which have been diverted fraudulently and that interrogation is needed to track the funds.

(A) hours

(B) involves

(C) conduct