SBI PO SET -10

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below them. Certain
words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of
the questions.
Electric vehicles represent a small but growing market share of all vehicles. The more we see them
on our streets and highways, the more benefits we’ll all accrue. But still the Union government
makes no bones about its intent to promote electric vehicles (EVs). However, it would do well to
learn a few lessons from what happened to smartphones before making grand technology bets. A
number of incentives for EVs are on the table. Last week, the Union minister for road transport and
highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the government is considering exemption from permits,
concessional toll, a rate of depreciation of 50% as against the prevailing 15% for conventional
vehicles, lowering of the goods and services tax on batteries and a rule mandating taxi aggregators
to have a certain percentage of EVs in their fleet. This week, there are noises of incentives of up to
Rs2.5 lakh for cars, and car chargers at every few kilometers. On the public transport front, Union
minister for heavy industries AnantGeete has spoken about making the public transport system
fully electric through the second phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric
vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. It’s possible that some of these plans will not materialize,
but the government’s intent is clear.
Amid all the excitement, however, the smartphones story should give the government reason
for caution. EVs are superior to internal combustion engines, but also expensive. Just like early
smartphones, rather than rushing to purchase the early iterations, a better idea would be to wait
until the rich nations buy sufficient volumes of the products on offer, and bring prices down.
Therefore, incentives to purchase EVs, as well as procurement of EVs for public transport, could be
fiscally expensive, and we might end up with an overpriced fleet of early-generation vehicles.
The primary reason for the EV push is controlling carbon emissions. But something like an all-
electric fleet of buses is an expensive solution to the problem. A World Bank study on the cost
effectiveness of electric and hybrid buses in developing countries concluded that in order to tackle
air pollution, the policy goal should be to incentivize more people to leave their cars at home. In
Mexico, for example, an average commuter would emit 8kg of carbon dioxide if he takes his trip in
a car. The emissions decrease to 1.5kg if he takes a diesel bus, 1kg in a hybrid bus and zero in an
electric bus. It is, therefore, clear that many of the gains against air pollution can be derived by
enabling the modal shift, through improvements in the quality of public transport.
Lastly, we should remember that EVs are a paradigm shift much in the same way that smartphones
were. The thing about these transitions is that we cannot know which parts of the previous
paradigm will be borrowed, and which left behind. For example, feature phones had physical keys
but, BlackBerry’s resistance, keyboards had to give way to screens. If we still used the battery
technology of feature phones, there might have been government tenders for public phone charging
infrastructure. In hindsight, continuing to plan through the paradigm of the feature phone would
have led us astray, and it is good the government did not subsidize the iPhone 2 or build public
phone charging infrastructure.
Similarly, the government should avoid regulating the supply of infrastructure with arbitrary
prescriptions and subsidies. While everyone agrees that charging infrastructure is essential to the
success of EVs, whether there should be a charging station at every five kilometers or ten cannot be
known in advance. Factors such as the driving range of vehicles, private charging capabilities of
users and charging speed will determine the number and location of charging stations. Similarly,
shifts in technology—such as wireless charging, solid state batteries or a transition to hydrogen fuel
cells—will have to be anticipated as these might render existing infrastructure obsolete.

Q1.
Electric vehicles are not the solution to air pollution in developing countries. Justify.
(I) Electric and hybrid buses need regular maintenance.
(II) Electric vehicle is an expensive solution for developing countries to adopt.
(III) Electric and hybrid buses are not widely available.
Only (I)
Only (II)
Both (II) and (III)
Both (I) and (III)
All

Answer1: 2
Solution: Electric vehicles are not the solution to air pollution in developing countries as electric
vehicles are expensive for developing countries to adopt, hence according to world bank,
developing countries should encourage their citizens to make less use of cars, which emit more
carbon dioxide than a diesel bus or hybrid bus. This proves sentence (II) as the most appropriate
choice.
Other sentences are not mentioned anywhere in the passage.
Hence option (2) is the correct choice.
Refer the lines from third paragraph “But something like an all-electric fleet of buses is an
expensive solution to the problem. A World Bank study on the cost effectiveness of electric and
hybrid buses in developing countries concluded that in order to tackle air pollution, the policy goal
should be to incentivise more people to leave their cars at home.”

Q2.
What lesson(s) should government learn from smartphone story?
Not to bring it in excessive use.
Using the products on offer.
Not to make early purchases.
Both (B) and (C)
All are correct

Answer2: 3
Solution: Refer the second paragraph of the passage “Just like early smartphones, rather than
rushing to purchase the early iterations, a better idea would be to wait until the rich nations buy
sufficient volumes of the products on offer, and bring prices down.” From which it is clear that
government should not make early purchases, they should wait till prices goes down to avoid
expensive procurement.
Hence option (3) is the best suited choice.

Q3.What intention of government can be inferred from the passage regarding adopting electric
vehicles?
Government is taking interest in launching the electric vehicles after its price drop down.
The government is perplexed with the efficiency of electric vehicles.
Due to expensive nature of electric vehicles, government is not taking interest in its promotion.
The government is clear in its vision in adopting electric vehicles.
None of these

Answer3: 4
Solution: Refer the first paragraph of the passage from which we can infer the government’s intent
regarding adoption of electric vehicles.
The government has formulated plans for promoting electric vehicles which clearly indicates that
government is keen to adopt Electric vehicles. All the other options are not its correct explanation.
Hence option (4) is the most appropriate choice.
Refer the lines “… Union minister for heavy industries AnantGeete has spoken about making the
public transport system fully electric through the second phase of Faster Adoption and
Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. It’s possible that some
of these plans will not materialize, but the government’s intent is clear…”

Q4.
What is/ are the requirements for making electric vehicles work?
less expensive
advanced technology
charging infrastructure
both (2) and (3)
All

Answer4: 4
Solution: In reference to fifth paragraph of the passage, we can conclude that option (4) is the
correct.
Refer the lines “While everyone agrees that charging infrastructure is essential to the success of
EVs, whether there should be a charging station at every five kilometres or 10 cannot be known in
advance.” “… Similarly, shifts in technology—such as wireless charging, solid state batteries or a
transition to hydrogen fuel cells—will have to be anticipated as these might render existing
infrastructure obsolete.” Option (1) is irrelevant.
Hence option (4) is the correct choice.
Q5.
What is the author’s tone in context of the passage?
humurous
Laudatory
Ethical
cynical
critical
Answer5: 5
Solution: The tone of the author is critical as the author is giving his deep interpretation of the issue
with a neutral outlook. The author has provided the analysis of adopting Electric vehicles in
developing countries. Hence option (5) is the correct choice.

Q6
In what context is the phrase ‘makes no bones’ used in the passage?
The government intent is yet to be deciphered regarding accepting electric vehicles.
The government is not giving its consent for manufacturing of electric vehicles.
The goernment is perplexed for adopting electric vehicles in the country in order to prevent air
pollution.
The governmnt is making its intention clear leaving no doubt regarding accepting the electric
vehicles.
There is no objection by the government regarding production of electric vehicles.

Answer6: 4
Solution: The phrase ‘makes no bones’ used in the passage is to provide the intention of the
government regarding its clear intention of adopting electric vehicles. ‘Make no bones’ is an idiom
which means to be transparent about something , without any equivocation.
Hence option (4) is the correct choice to be made.
Refer the line “The Union government makes no bones about its intent to promote electric vehicles
(EVs). However, it would do well to learn a few lessons from what happened to smartphones before
making grand technology bets. A number of incentives for EVs are on the table….”

Q.7 The word given in bold depicts the similar meaning of one of the words given below. Choose
the most appropriate word among the given options that defines the given meaning in the context
of the passage.
Materialize
entrap
rife
Surface
 tremble
forlorn
Answer7: 3
Solution: Materialize is the word used in the passage which means become actual fact; happen or
appear or be present when expected.
Rife means something undesirable of common occurrence; widespread.
surface means rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground.
Entrench means establish or settle.

Q.8 The word given in bold depicts the similar meaning of one of the words given below. Choose
the most appropriate word among the given options that defines the given meaning in the context
of the passage.
Commuter
Passerby
player
spectator
passenger
Bequeather
Answer8: 4
Solution: commuter means a person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis. Covet
means desire.

Q.9 The word given in bold depicts the opposite meaning of one of the words given below. Choose
the most appropriate word among the given options that defines the given meaning in the context
of the passage.
promote
concede
secede
intercede
supersede
impede
Answer9: 5
Solution: promote is the word used in passage which means support or actively encourage (a
cause, venture, etc.); further the progress of.
Impede means to obstruct or hinder someone
Q.10 The word given in bold depicts the opposite meaning of one of the words given below. Choose
the most appropriate word among the given options that defines the given meaning in the context
of the passage.
Imprudence
precedence
creative
lavish
caution
adjunct
Answer10: 4
Solution: Caution is the word used in the passage which means care taken to avoid danger or
mistakes. Hence it has opposite meaning as imprudence.
Adjunct means connected or added to something.

Rearrange the following five sentence (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) in the proper sequence to
form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below.
(A) Whether the central bank will make exceptions for one sector is not clear.
(B) Which is why union power minister RK Singh is trying to convince RBI it should provide lenders
some forbearance for these assets.
(C) In fact, what’s worrying is that some of these expensive plants may end up being liquidated
because lenders would resist selling them at big haircuts, fearful of being questioned by the
investigative agencies.
(D) With over 40,000 MW of power plants already unviable for want of fuel or power purchase
agreements (PPAs), and likely to be sold for a song if they turn into non-performing assets on
banks’ books and end up in the NCLT, it is understandable the government is seriously concerned.
(E) What is more important, however, is that it won’t really solve the issues faced by these plants
and will, at most, help postpone the day of reckoning.

Q11.
Which among the following statements become the LAST sentence of the paragraph after
rearrangement?
A
B
D
C
E
Answer11: 2
Solution: The correct sequence of the sentence after the rearranging them to form a coherent
paragraph is EACDB. Hence, option (2) is the most suitable answer choice.

Q12.
Which among the following statements become the SECOND sentence of the paragraph after
rearrangement?
A
B
D
C
E
Answer12: 1

Q13.
Which among the following statements become the FOURTH sentence of the paragraph after
rearrangement?
A
B
D
C
E
Answer13: 3

Q14.
Which among the following statements become the FIRST sentence of the paragraph after
rearrangement?
A
B
D
C
E
Answer14: 5

Q15.
Which among the following statements become the THIRD sentence of the paragraph after
rearrangement?
A
B
D
C
E
Answer15: 4

Q.16 The following question consists of a sentence, whose certain parts are highlighted in
bold. The highlighted portion is grammatically correct. Each sentence is followed by the
three expressions which may or may not contain grammatical errors. Choose the most
appropriate alternative among the five options which states the incorrect part(s) of the
sentence. If the given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful, choose
option (e) i.e., “No error” as your answer.
Parliament is the most hallowed and dignified forum India has but decides the fate of the nation
thorough fruitful and purposeful debates
(I) Parliament is the most hallowed and
(II) but decides
(III) nation thorough fruitful and purposeful debates

Only (II)
Only (III)
Both (I) and (II)
Both (II) and (III)
No error
Answer16: 4
Solution: There is an error in part (II) and (III) of the sentence. In part (II) “but” should be changed
with “and” or “that”. With “and” there will be two clause with same subject.
Parliament is the most hallowed and dignified forum India has and decides the fate of the nation
through fruitful and purposeful debates
And with “that”, the statement would look like
Parliament is the most hallowed and dignified forum India has that decides the fate of the nation
through fruitful and purposeful debates.
So both the statements are correct. But “but” should not be used as there is no contrast in the
sentence.
In part (III), “thorough” should be changed to “through” which means “by means of a process or
intermediate stage.” Thorough means complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or
partial.
Q.17 The following question consists of a sentence, whose certain parts are highlighted in
bold. The highlighted portion is grammatically correct. Each sentence is followed by the
three expressions which may or may not contain grammatical errors. Choose the most
appropriate alternative among the five options which states the incorrect part(s) of the
sentence. If the given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful, choose
option (e) i.e., “No error” as your answer

When I was in high school, soon after Independence, we often had a mock Parliament where we
debated an issue and were encouraged to speak to our mind on a wide variety of topics and the
focus was on expressing our point of view and carrying the debate forcefully, but always with the
utmost courtesy and decorum.
(I) we often had a mock Parliament where we debated an issue and were encouraged to speak to
our
(II) and the focus was on expressing our point of view and carrying the debate forcefully,
(III) but always with the utmost courtesy and decorum.

Only (II)
Only (III)
Only (I)
Both (II) and (III)
No error

Answer17: 3
Solution: Option (c) is the correct choice as error is in part (I) of the sentence.
“to” should be taken off after “speak” as the context of the passage is not about speaking to our
mind but to speak our mind which means to speak what comes in our mind. Thus option 3 is the
correct answer.

Directions (18) Answer the questions based on the following information. There is a short passage
given below. Read the passage and answer the question that follows it.

Q18. Szymanski suggests that the problem of racism in football may be present even today. He
begins by verifying an earlier hypothesis that clubs' wage bills explain 90 percent of their
performance. Thus if player's salaries were to be only based on their abilities, clubs that spend
more should finish higher. If there is pay discrimination against some group of players-fewer teams
bidding for black players thus lowering the salaries for blacks with the same ability as whites-that
neat relation may no longer hold. He concludes that certain clubs seem to have achieved much less
than what they could have by not recruiting black players.
Which one of the following findings would best support Szymanski's conclusion ?
Certain clubs took advantage of the situation by hiring above-average shares of black players.
Clubs hired white players at relatively high wages and did not show proportionately good
performance.
During the study period, clubs in towns with a history of discrimination against blacks,
underperformed relative to their wage bills.
Clubs in one region which had higher proportions of black players had significantly lower wage
bills than their counterparts in another region which had predominantly white players.
none of these

Answer18: 2
Solution: Option (2) is the correct choice and it can be inferred from the statement “If there is pay
discrimination against some group of players-fewer teams bidding for black players thus lowering
the salaries for blacks with the same ability as whites-that neat relation may no longer hold. He
concludes that certain clubs seem to have achieved much less than what they could have by not
recruiting black players.”

Q.19 The following question consists of a sentence, whose certain parts are highlighted in
bold. The highlighted portion is grammatically correct. Each sentence is followed by the
three expressions which may or may not contain grammatical errors. Choose the most
appropriate alternative among the five options which states the incorrect part(s) of the
sentence. If the given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful, choose
option (e) i.e., “No error” as your answer.
No scientific sampling or survey appears to have been done to prove that food served by the
Foundation is unpalatable and was not being eaten in sufficient quantity
(I) to have been done to prove that
(II) Foundation is unpalatable and was not being
(III) eaten in sufficient quantity
Only (I)
Only (III)
Both (I) and (III)
Both (II) and (III)
No error
Answer19: 3
Solution: The error is in part (I) and (III) of the sentence.
In part (I), “the” should be used before “food” as this food is specific as this is the food which is
served thus “the food served by the” is the correct choice.
In part (III) of the sentence, “quantity” which is a countable noun should be changed to “quantities”
because the determiner “sufficient” has been used.
Q.20 Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic 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 ‘e’). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
The fact file too appears to be misleading (A)/ as the scientific and health benefit (B)/ of onion and
garlic are proven (C)/ in vitro, not in vivo. (D)/ No error (E)
A
B
C
D
E

Answer20: 2
Solution: The error is in part (b) of the sentence as ‘benefits” should be in place of ‘benefit’ as “are
proven” is used in part c of the sentence . however it can be said that we could have replaced “are
proven” to “is proven” but this cant be the case as two benefits that is “health” and “scientific” are
two benefits of garlic and onion are already mentioned so “is proven cannot” be used. Thus the
subject need to be made plural.

Q.21 There are two different sentences with a blank space in each sentence. Choose the word
from the given options which fit appropriately in both the blanks adding a proper and logical
meaning to the sentences.
(I) we have powers formerly attributed to the ______________________ gods; we can fly, talk to people in
other places, and see what is happening elsewhere.
(II) The incredible Egyptian discovery was made by Polish archaeologists in the ______________ city of
Marea, southwest of Alexandria which dates back more than 2,000 years, may have been a hotspot
of early Christianity in Egypt.
contemporary
recent
modern
present day
ancient

Answer21: 5
Solution: Out of all the expressions provided in the options, only option (5) fits with the context of
the sentences provided. Contemporary means New or modern which is contextually incorrect as
can be predicted from the sentences. Modern and present day are also synonyms for the word
contemporary implying new or current. Ancient means old and back-dated and hence it will fit in
terms of the context of the sentences. Hence option (5) is the most suitable choice.

Q.22 In each of the questions given below a sentence is given in which two words/phrases
are given in bold. Each sentence is then followed by five options which try to provide us with
the best possible choice for the pair of words that must fit in the sentence both
grammatically and contextually.

The APF subscribes to the tenant that one’s nutritional requirement can be met without garlic-
onion and as far as the taste is concern, considering the diversity and plurality of the society, it is a
personal choice, and prohibiting to such diverse tastes in mass feeding programmes, logistically
and and hygienically, is not easy.

contemporary, recording
theory, destroying
tenet, catering
engrossed, prospecting
No error

Answer22: 3
Solution: Out of all the expressions provided in the options, only option (3) fits with the context of
the sentences provided. Contemporary means New or modern which is contextually incorrect as
can be predicted from the sentences. Modern and present day are also synonyms for the word
contemporary implying new or current. Ancient means old and back-dated and hence it will fit in
terms of the context of the sentences. Hence option (3) is the most suitable choice.

Direction (23-25). Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below each sentence should
replace the phrase printed in bold letters to make the sentence grammatically and contextually
correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (e) i.e., "No correction required" as your answer.

Q23. It is observed that some adolescent grow into with autism, however as per the clinician who
state that the rare condition can be left behind.
Grow back
Grow apart with
Grow out of
Grow into
No correction required

Answer23: 3
Solution : As the researchers here say that the "condition can be left behind", it means that the first
part of the sentence should also comprehend to this and hence the correct expression is 'grow out
of'; it means to become too mature to retain (a childish habit or tendency) and not 'grow up on'.
Hence, option (3) is the correct choice.
Q24. In modern time we do use gadgets but we do not know much about the gadgets we use, taking
on the machines may help us to get insight into the inner workings.
taking down
taking apart
taking after
taking for
No correction required
Answer24: 2
Solution: 'taking after' means 'following as an example'. This is wrong; the correct use will be
'taking apart' which means 'to disassemble'. Option (b) is the correct choice for the given question.

Q25. Most of us don’t use insurance to transfer risk from ourselves to others and this can be the
chief reason because the market failing.
why the market fail
as a market failure
behind the market's failure
beside the market failing
No correction required

Answer25: 3
Solution: 3
The word reason usually takes the preposition 'for' to show cause; hence, 'with' will be incorrect
here. Option 2 says 'principal' reason meaning other (non-significant) reasons must have already
been talked about, which entails the usage of 'the' in place of 'a' for option 2 to be correct. 'Reason'
and 'because' are never used in the same sentence because they fulfil the same purpose; options 4 &
5 will be eliminated. Option (c) is the correct choice.

In the following passage against each number four words are suggested in bold which may or
may not fit into the sentence contextually. These numbers are printed below the passage and
against each, five options are given. Find out the most appropriate alternative reflecting the
word which doesn’t fit into the blank appropriately and thus fail to give a contextual
meaning to the paragraph. If no such error is there mark (E) i.e. “all are correct” as your
answer choice.
(26) There is much durability in the rupee exchange rate lately, and it underlines the need for a
vibrant currency futures and options market; we need a more complete derivatives market across
asset classes for bonds, equities, currencies, interest rates and commodities to better
manage intrinsic risks. (27) It is welcome that markets regulator SEBI has starting the process to
greatly increase trading time for derivatives, and has also reportedly written to the Centre to
rationalize tax on the instruments going forward. But rigidities remain. (28) There is a feature to
rethink tax policy, margin requirements, position limits, documentation levels and other
regulation, so as to remove friction and bring about a thriving onshore derivatives market
here. (29) Otherwise, the market would move offshore, to the detriment of jobs, skills,
investments and optimal resource allocation. (30) The point is that financial services like
derivatives are a skill and technology-intensive business in which we in India have a competitive
advantage, and it is vital that we remove policy assistance that constrain the derivatives market.
Q26.
durability
vibrant
commodities
intrinsic
no error
Answer26: 1
Solution: Read the paragraph carefully. As the latter part of the sentence is indicating about the
need for approaches to manage the risks associated with the continuous changes in the rupee value.
Therefore, the noun “stability” is inappropriate in the context of the paragraph and creating
incoherence in the sentence. However, to make the sentence of the paragraph grammatically
correct and contextually meaningful, replace “stability” with the noun “volatility” which means
liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. Hence, option (1) becomes
the most suitable answer choice.
Derivatives means something which is based on another source.
Intrinsic means belonging naturally ; essential.

Q27.
welcome
initiating
increase
commodities
no error
Answer27: 2
Solution: Among the given words in bold, option (2) i.e., “initiating” is creating a grammatical error
in the sentence of the paragraph. To make the sentence grammatically correct replace “initiating”
with “initiated” as the correct grammatical syntax for the sentence should be [Subject + Have / Has
+ Past Participle]. All the other given words in bold are precise and composing a comprehensive
paragraph. Hence, option (2) is the most suitable answer choice.
Instruments means a formal or legal document.
Rigidities means the quality or state of stiffness or inflexibility

Q28.
 feature
rethink
onshore
market
no error
Answer28: 1
Solution: Read the paragraph carefully. Here, the sentence of the paragraph is not describing a
feature or characteristic of a product or policy, rather it is describing about the issue of devaluation
of rupee in international market. To resolve this issue the latter part of the sentence has suggested
several policies and instruments to rally the value of Indian currency. Thereby, to make the
sentence of the paragraph contextually meaningful and grammatically correct, replace “feature”
with “case” highlighting the issue of devaluation. All the other given words are precise and
composing a comprehensive paragraph. Hence, option (1) becomes the most suitable answer
choice.

Q29.
move
offshore
resource
allocation
no error
Answer29: 5
Solution: The paragraph is describing about the devaluation of Indian currency in international
market. It has also suggested several measures to rectify the worsening situation. Therefore, all the
given words are perfectly adhering to the theme of the paragraph making it contextually correct.
Hence, option (5) becomes the most suitable answer choice.
Detriment means the state of being harmed or damaged.

Q30.
derivatives
business
remove
assistance
no error

Answer30: 4
Solution: The given sentence of the paragraph contains a contextual error as “assistance”
which means the provision of money, resources, or information to help someone. However,
the phrase of the sentence [that we remove policy] indicates a barrier in the policy which is
constraining the derivatives market. Hence, to make the sentence grammatically correct and
contextually meaningful, replace “assistance” with “hurdles”. All the other given words are
appropriate in the context of the paragraph. Hence, option (4) is the most suitable answer
choice.