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Questions asked in Andhra Bank I.T.Officers’ Exam, 2008

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Qs. 1-15. Read the following passage carefully and

answer the questions given below it. Certain words are

printed in bold to help you to locate them while answer-

ing some of the questions.

Land in urban areas is a scarce resource which

needs to be optimally utilised if the objectives of

affordable housing and improvement in the lives of

slum dwellers by the year 2020, as set out in the Mil-

lennium Development Goals, are to be attained. In

India, certain laws were enacted to regulate the use of

land in urban areas. The Land Acquisition Act of 1894was enacted for building an adequate stock of urban

land for public interest purposes such as low-income

housing, road widening, development of parks and

other amenities. Such land is acquired by the govern-

ment through payment of compensation to land-

owners as per market value. Given that large tracts of

land are frequently acquired by the government at low

prices for industrial development, it is not clear if the

urban poor have benefited from this Act.

The Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act

(ULCRA) of 1976 was enacted to exercise social con-

trol over urban land, so it is equitably distributed.

While many social groups demand better implementa-

tion of the Act, most of the States repealed it due to its

adverse impacts on restricting the supply of urban

land by reserving too much for “public purposes”.

ULCRA also became a charter for corruption since it

enabled large-scale land holding by the government,

which directed it to whatever purpose it considered

fit. There was also no evidence that the land so

acquired was used for the urban poor hence the law

has long outlived its utility. Another of ULCRA’s objec-

tives was to curb speculation in urban land transac-tions. Speculation continues to plague urban land

markets. Investors buy a piece of land in peripheral

areas of cities for a low price, hold it until it appreci-

ates in value, then sell it off at a higher price. Such

speculation results in a general rise in the price of

land. The cost of the land being the big chunk in the

cost of construction, speculation in land causes huge

increases in the price of housing as well.

In the absence of an effective taxation system, one

of the means by which local governments increase

revenues is through public land leasing. There is evi-

dence that land leasing has been time-tested and is

happening on a large scale in India and other coun-

tries. Many cities in China financed more than half of

their urban infrastructure investment from land leas-

ing, while borrowing against the value of land to

finance much of the remainder. The implication is

that governments in India and other developing coun-

tries have been capitalising on increases in land values

through leasing to finance their infrastructure needs.

This has resulted in governments utilising their land

more for revenue generation than for affordable hous-

ing for the urban poor. Urban development authorities

do reserve a small portion of the land they acquire forhousing the economically weaker sections, which is

not adequate, given that more than half of the popula-

tion of metropolitan areas live in slums. Hence author-

ities need to allocate greater portion of their revenues

from land leasing and auctions for infrastructure and

housing the economically weaker sections.

Which economic growth, capitalisation and specu-

lation, land values have increased significantly and

governments have been capitalising on them through

leasing and auctions, but have to do much more in the

way of affordable housing for the urban poor.

1. Which of the following is/are Millennium

Development Goals?

(A) Regulating the use of land in urban areas.

(B) Providing affordable accommodation to those

who live in slums.

(C) Ensuring there are no slums within city limits.

(1) Both (A) and (B)

(2) Both (A) and (C)

(3) Only (B)

(4) All (A), (B) and (C)

(5) None of these

2. The author’s opinion of land laws is that____(1) they enable governments to cheat those they

buy land from

(2) they are utilised to misappropriate land for

constructing public parks instead of for indus-

trial development.

(3) they are relevant till date but are not imple-

mented properly

(4) they are ineffective and have not benefited

those for whom they were created.

(5) they are unfair because they restrict the

amount of land holdings a local development

authority can have.

3. Which of the following is NOT true in the

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE

context of the passage?

(A) The Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act of

1976 contained certain provisos to address the

issue of corruption.

(B) Speculation on land on the periphery of cities is

minimal.

(C) The government has utilised land obtained at

low prices for public interest purposes only.(1) All (A), (B) and (C)


(3) Only (C)

(4) Only (B)

(5) None of these

4. Which of the following is an impact of

speculation?

(1) It results in loss of revenue for the government.

(2) It is beneficial for the economically weaker sec-

tions of society.

(3) It causes inferior material to be used in con-struction.

(4) It raises the cost of housing considerably.

(5) Many people are moving to the outskirts of

cities.

5. Why do local governments engage in the

practice of public land leasing?

(1) Local governments are inefficient and corrupt.

(2) To curb the menace of speculation.

(3) To ensure land is utilised for public interests.

(4) To generate revenue because of an inadequate

taxation system.

(5) To increase the value of land.6. The author’s main objective in writing the

passage is to:

(1) recommend amendments that should be carried

out in existing laws in general.

(2) berate the government for being unable to deal

with the menace of slums.

(3) remind the government of revised deadlines to

fulfil the millennium development goals.

(4) exhort the government to build a more efficient

tax structure.

(5) draw attention to the lack of urban housing andsuggest how the government can address the

issue.

7. Which of the following is TRUE in the context

of the passage?

(1) Urban development authorities have made

progress in reducing the number of slums.

(2) Land value has appreciated because of

economic growth.

(3) The Chinese government leases public land

sparingly.

(4) Under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894

municipal authorities cannot utilise land forindustrial development.

(5) The urban housing problem can be solved only if

city boundaries are expanded.

8. Which of the following can be said about public

land leasing?

(A) It is useful to finance urban infrastructure

development.

(B) It is detrimental since land values fall.

(C) It is beneficial since it encourages the privatesector to invest in infrastructure.

(1) None

(2) Only (A)

(3) Both (A) and (C)

(4) Only (B)

(5) Only (C)

9. What solution does the author recommend for

providing housing to the urban poor?

(A) The government should divert a greater share of

revenues earned from land leasing towards

providing housing.(B) Severe punishment for officials who are corrupt

and capitalise on land deals at the expense of

the poor.

(C) State governments should repeal all the acts

related to land ceiling.

(1) Only (A)


(3) Only (B)

(4) All (A), (B) and (C)

(5) None of these

10. On what premise was ULCRA enacted?

(1) To build up stocks of land which are to beused by the government for industrial develop-

ment.

(2) To bring most of the urban land under the

control of local governments.

(3) To ensure just distribution of land.

(4) To ensure land is distributed as per the market

value.

(5) To increase revenue for the government.

Qs. 11-13. Choose the word which is most nearly the

SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used inthe passage.

11. amenities

(1) pursuits (2) niceties

(3) environment (4) amusements

(5) facilities

12. exercise

(1) implement (2) work

(3) movement (4) effort

(5) exertion

13. implication

(1) blame (2) consequence

(3) compromise (4) involvement

(5) concern







ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Qs 14-15. Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE

in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the

passage.

14. optimally

(1) discretionary (2) undesirable

(3) incompatible (4) offensively

(5) inappropriately

15. adverse(1) friendly (2) inimical (3) positive

(4) divine (5) fortune

Qs 16-20. Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4)

given below should replace the phrase given in bold in

the following sentence to make the sentence grammati-

cally meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as

it is and no correction is required, mark (5) as the

answer.

16. While the negotiations for the agreement have

progressed, some issues still have need to be resolved.(1) yet needed

(2) were still needed

(3) still need

(4) had a need

(5) No correction required

17.We are in the process of formulation clearly

set of guidelines to monitor investment.

(1) formulating clearly

(2) clear formulation

(3) clearly formulated

(4) formulating a clear

(5) No correction required18. RBI should put in place a mechanism to regu-

late interest rates charged by moneylenders.

(1) put up with

(2) be putting aside

(3) have put down

(4) put forward in


19.When world steel prices were considerably

high, prices in India rose compared less.

(1) comparatively less

(2) in comparison little(3) lesser in comparison

(4) compared to less


20.We are holding more training programmes for

executives but the response from them has been good.

(1) since from the response

(2) as the response from

(3) because of the response to

(4) though the response of


Qs 21-25. In each sentence below four words havebeen printed in bold which are numbered (1), (2), (3) and

(4). One of these words may be mis-spelt or inappropri-

ate in the context of the sentence. Find out the wrongly

spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is

the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are

appropriate the answer is (5) i.e. ‘All correct ’.

21. In view of our quarterly(1) results we intend(2)

to hire approximately(3) two thousand additional(4)

staff. All correct.(5)22. These engineers have not been assigned(1) to

projects which are currantly(2) available,(3) since they

are undergoing(4) training. All correct.(5)

23.One of the majority(1) issues pending(2) is the

increased(3) allocation(4) of funds to complete the

power generation project. All correct.(5)

24. Unless we address(1) the deficit(2) in infra-

structure we cannot sustein(3) economic growth at the

expected(4) rate. All correct.(5)

25.He realised that the quality(1) of services(2)

being provided to employees was poor(3) and resolvedto take actions.(4) All correct.(5)

Qs. 26-30. Rearrange the following six sentences (A),

(B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a

meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given

below them.

(A) This has resulted in a global food crisis.

(B) Governments can set up special funds to help

farmers get fertilizers and high yield seeds.

(C) Despite warnings from experts, world leaders

did not act to deal with the hunger crisis in poor

countries.(D) There are simple ways in which we can ease this

crisis.

(E) Thus we need to look at the global food crisis not

only as a warning but also as an opportunity to

change our ways of depleting other resources

like water.

(F) In addition governments should stop

paying farmers to cultivate biofuels instead of

crops.

26.Which of the following should be the FIRST

sentence after rearrangement?(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (5) E

27.Which of the following should be the SECOND

sentence after rearrangement?

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (5) E

28.Which of the following should be the THIRD


(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (5) F

29.Which of the following should be the FIFTH


(1) B (2) C (3) D (4) E (5) F

30. Which of the following should be the SIXTH

(LAST) sentence after rearrangement?(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (5) E







ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Qs. 31-40. Read each sentence to find out whether

there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any,

will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that

part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5)

i.e. ‘No error’. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).

31. Prior to this assignment(1) he is been a legal(2)

advisor in an(3) American-based finance company.(4)

No error.(5)32. If the rate of inflation(1) continues to rise,(2)

RBI will be forced(3) to hike in the cash reserve ratio.(4)

No error.(5)

33. To be successful it is(1) no substitute for(2)

strong business judgement(3) and good work ethic.(4)

No error.(5)

34. At the starting(1) of the eighteenth century(2)

India was the(3) largest economy in the world.(4) No

error.(5)

35. The main idea behind these(1) regulations are

to protect investors’ interests(2) by ensuring trans-parency(3) in the affairs of the company.(4) No error.(5)

36. We need to invest(1) much more of infrastruc-

ture(2) development in order to(3) achieve true econo-

mic growth.(4) No error.(5)

37. The company has expanded(1) very fast and

has managed(2) to set up four units(3) in less of two

years.(4) No error.(5)

38. Despite a rise in deposits all(1) banks are find-

ing it(2) difficult for meet its(3) daily cash require-

ments.(4) No error.(5)

39. The biggest challenge for(1) the retail chain

has been(2) that to get its merchandise(3) to its outletson time.(4) No error.(5)

40. Officials should devote(1) their attention and

funds(2) to sports other(3) than cricket as well.(4) No

error.(5)

Qs. 41-50. In the following passage, there are

blanks, each of which has been numbered. These

numbers are printed below the passsage and against

each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the

blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in

each case.“Globalization is creating rich countries with poor

people”, (41) noted economist Joseph Stiltz. Advocates

of globalization are (42) that free trade and free mar-

kets have raised average incomes around the world. The

World Bank (43) that the proportion of people living on

less than $2 a day (44) from 67% in 1981 to 47% in 2004.

However, in (45) many South African countries who

adopted an open market economy are unable to (46)

inequality and high levels of unemployment. Your

experience of globalization thus (47) on what you have

in the bank. If you (48) to the business class you bene-

fit tremendously (49) connections all over the world.For the poor globalization is not as (50).

41. (1) according (2) warns

(3) believe (4) quote

(5) regards

42. (1) convince (2) certified

(3) contend (4) correct

(5) cynical

43. (1) assumes (2) estimate

(3) reports (4) divulge(5) recommends

44. (1) rose (2) drop

(3) diminish (4) decline

(5) shrank

45. (1) theory (2) reality

(3) ground (4) doubt

(5) actual

46. (1) reduce (2) predict

(3) analyse (4) minimised

(5) depreciate

47.(1) controls (2) bases(3) depends (4) determines

(5) relies

48. (1) travel (2) ally

(3) classify (4) belong

(5) associate

49. (1) owing (2) because

(3) consequent (4) under

(5) through

50. (1) profitable (2) beneficiary

(3) progressive (4) reward

(5) worthy

ANSWERS

1. (3) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (4) 5. (4)

6. (5) 7. (2) 8. (2) 9. (1) 10. (3)

11. (5) 12. (5) 13. (2) 14. (5) 15. (3)

16. (3) 17. (4) 18. (5) 19. (1) 20. (2)

21. (5)

22. (2) currently

23. (1) major

24. (3) sustain

25. (4) action

26. (3) 27. (1) 28. (4) 29. (5) 30. (5)31. (2) ‘he had been a legal’

32. (4) ‘to hike the cash reserve ratio’

33. (1) ‘To be successful there is’

34. (1) ‘At the start’

35. (2) ‘regulations is to protect investors’ interests’

36. (2) ‘much more in infrastructure’

37. (4) ‘in less than two years’

38. (3) ‘difficult to meet their’

39. (3) ‘to get its merchandise.

40. (5) No error

41. (2) 42. (4) 43. (3) 44. (4) 45. (2)46. (1) 47. (3) 48. (4) 49. (5) 50. (2)





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English May09