General Awareness Model Test Paper

General Awareness

1. Which of the following States will soon have its first Civil Airports ?
(A) Jammu & Kashmir
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Assam
(D) Meghalaya
(E) Sikkim
Ans : (E)

2. Who amongst the following made the 41st Test Century of his career recently ?
(A) Saurav Ganguly
(B) V. V. S. Laxman
(C) Rahul Dravid
(D) Sachin Tendulkar
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

3. Which of the following was/were the objective(s) of the Mission Chandrayaan 1 ?
(a) Preparing dimensional atlas of the lunar surface.
(b) Chemical Mapping of the entire lunar surface.
(c) Locating minerals in the soil of the moon.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) All (a), (b) & (c)
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

4. Which of the following States introduced a high tech foodgrain rationing system to ensure timely supply of the foodgrains to people living below poverty line ?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Delhi
(D) West Bengal
(E) Karnataka
Ans : (E)

5. Which of the following is NOT a part of India’s Money Market ?
(A) Bill Markets
(B) Call Money Market
(C) Banks
(D) Mutual Funds
(E) Indian Gold Council
Ans : (E)

6. Which of the following is the objective of the project ‘Bhoomi Keralam’ launched by the State Govt. ?
(A) To conduct a survey of the land
(B) To bring those people back who have left the State and settled in other States
(C) To provide financial security to farmers who are in distress
(D) To identify those tribals who need jobs or financial assistance
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

7. Which of the following countries adopted its new constitution recently ?
(A) Russia
(B) Equadore
(C) South Korea
(D) North Korea
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

8. Which of the following awards was given to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi recently (2008) ?
(A) Padma Bhushan
(B) Sangit Natak Academy Award
(C) Maharashtra Bhushan
(D) Karnataka Ratna
(E) Bharat Ratna
Ans : (E)

9. Which of the following States got its first Rail link recently ?
(A) Haryana
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Sikkim
(D) Manipur
(E) Jammu & Kashmir
Ans : (E)

10. Barack Hussain Obama belongs to which of the following political parties ?
(A) Republican
(B) Democratic
(C) Labour
(D) American National Congress
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

11. Which of the following is/are NOT the features of India’s Foreign Trade policy (2004 to 2009)?
(a) To double India’s percentage share of global trade from present 0•7 per cent to 1•5 per cent by 2009.
(b) Simplifying the procedures and bringing down the cost.
(c) Make SAARC countries India’s most preferred foreign trade partners by 2009.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) All (a), (b) & (c)
(E) Only (a) & (c)
Ans : (C)

12. Stephen Harper whose name was in news recently is the ……….
(A) President of Canada
(B) Prime Minister of Canada
(C) President of Italy
(D) Prime Minister of Switzerland
(E) Foreign Minister of U.S.A.
Ans : (B)

13. Which of the following is NOT a fertilizer product ?
(A) Urea
(B) Murate of Potash
(C) Di Amonium Phosphate
(D) Calcium Carbonate
(E) All are fertilizers

NDA Sample Papers with Solutions

NDA English Sample Papers with Solutions

SYNONYMS

Directions—(Q. 1–9) In this section, each of the following nine items consists of a word in CAPITAL LETTERS, followed by four words. Select the word that is most similar in MEANING to the bold word in CAPITAL LETTERS.
1. PERPLEX
(A) Distract
(B) Intrigue
(C) Perspective
(D) Baffle

2. HOSPITABLE
(A) Convivial
(B) Liberal
(C) Congential
(D) Welcoming

3. GAIETY
(A) Dexterity
(B) Wonder
(C) Colourfulness
(D) Jollity

4. SCARCELY
(A) Hardly
(B) Always
(C) Sometimes
(D) Frequently

5. COUNTERFEIT
(A) Imitated
(B) Duplicate
(C) Fake
(D) Foreign

6. DAZED
(A) Shocked
(B) Dreamy
(C) Happy
(D) Tired

7. DISDAIN
(A) Disown
(B) Condemn
(C) Hate
(D) Criticise

8. BEWITCHING
(A) Enchanting
(B) Magical
(C) Affected
(D) Ensnaring

9. RAPACITY
(A) Anger
(B) Cruelty
(C) Pride
(D) Greed

ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE

Directions—(Q. 10–17) In the following items, some parts of the sentence have been jumbled up. You are required to re-arrange these parts which are labelled (P), (Q), (R) and (S) to produce the correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence and indicate your correct response accordingly. Example ‘Z’ has been solved for you.

Z. It is well-known that / the effect (P)/is very bad (Q)/ on children (R)/ of cinema (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) P S R Q
(B) S P Q R
(C) S R P Q
(D) Q S R P

Explanation :
The proper way of writing the sentence is “It is well-known that the effect of cinema on children is very bad”. This is indicated by the sequence P S R Q and so (A) is the correct answer.

10. It is a privilege / to pay tax (P)/ of every citizen (Q)/ as well as the duty (R)/ who is well-placed (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) R P S Q
(B) S P R Q
(C) R Q S P
(D) S Q R P

11. It is not good / of the wicked persons (P)/ to overthrow (Q)/ to accept the help (R)/ the righteous persons. (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) R S Q P
(B) Q S R P
(C) R P Q S
(D) Q P R S

12. Life is judged / and not by (P)/ of work done (Q)/ the longevity of years (R)/ by the quality. (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) Q S P R
(B) S Q R P
(C) Q S R P
(D) S Q P R

13. When he learns that (P)/ you have passed the examination (Q)/ in the first division (R)/ your father will be delighted (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) Q P S R
(B) S P Q R
(C) Q R S P
(D) S R Q P

14. The journalist (P)/ saw (Q)/ countless number of the dead (R)/ driving across the field of battle (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) P Q S R
(B) P Q R S
(C) P S Q R
(D) S R Q P

15. Jane planned (P)/ some stamps (Q)/ to buy (R)/ this afternoon (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) P R Q S
(B) P S Q R
(C) Q R P S
(D) Q S P R

16. Her mother / when she was (P)/ hardly four years old (Q)/ began to teach to Neha (R)/ English (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) R S Q P
(B) S R P Q
(C) R S P Q
(D) S R Q P

17. Bill had (P)/ a friend (Q)/ an appointment (R)/ to meet (S)
Which one of the following is the correct sequence ?
(A) P S R Q
(B) P R S Q
(C) Q S R P
(D) Q R S P

ANTONYMS

IBPS CWE English Language Model Paper

Directions—(Q. 1–10) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

In a great Palace by the sea, there once dwelt a very rich old lord, who had only one little grand daughter, whose face he had never seen in all her life. He hated her bitterly, because at her birth his daughter died; and when the old nurse brought him the baby, he swore, that he would never look on her face as long as she lived. So he turned his back, and sat by his window looking out over the sea, shedding tears for his lost daughter. Meanwhile, his grand daughter grew up with no one to care for her, or clothe her. An old nurse would sometimes give her a dish of scraps from the kitchen, or an torn dress from the rag-bag. Soon she became known as “Tattercoats”, amongst all as she always wore torn out dresses. And so she grew up, with little to eat or wear, spending her days in the fields and lanes, with only a herd of parrots for a companion.

One day, people told each other that the King was travelling to their town and was to give a great party to all the lords and ladies of the country, where the Prince, his only son, was to choose a wife. Tattercoats had heard of the event in the town. She was excited as she had never been to a party. However, she was heartbroken when she soon realized that her grandfather would never take her to the party.

The parrots listened to her story and proposed that they should go together into the town but she looked sorrowfully down at her rags and bare feet. She said that in such attire, the king’s men would never let her enter the town. She sat under a tree crying and sobbing. Just then a handsome young man, splendidly dressed, rode up and stopped to ask the way to the town as he had lost it and had been wandering in the area for a long time without a clue about the directions. Tattercoats explained the way to the town to him. The young man was charmed by her beauty and simplicity but soon realized that she was upset. On asking the reason the parrots told him the whole story. The young man felt sad for Tattercoats. He returned the next day with a beautiful gown and jewels and gave her so that she could wear these to the king’s party. Tattercoats looked astonished and refused to accept the expensive gifts. The young man however insisted that she must accept these as a token of thanks for helping him finding the way to the town when he was lost.

Finally when night came, the hall in the castle was full of light and music and the lords and ladies were dancing before the King. Soon Tattercoats entered, followed by the flock of chirpy parrots. She walked straight up the party hall while the ladies whispered, the lords laughed, and the King seated at the far end stared in amazement. But as they came in front of the throne, a young man rose from beside the King and came to greet her. Much to Tattercoat’s surprise he was the same young man whom she had told the way to the town. Taking her by the hand he turned to the King.

“Father !” he said, for he was the Prince himself, “I have made my choice, and here is my bride, the loveliest girl in all the land, and the sweetest as well !” The king was proud of his son’s decision and as he rose to greet his daughter-in-law, the trumpets sounded loudly in honour of the new Princess.

The couple lived happily ever after. The parrot herd continued to be the best companion of the princess. Her grandfather, however, bound by his vow could never see his granddaughter – Tattercoats – the princess in his entire life.

1. What did the handsome young man ask Tattercoats on his way to the town ?
(A) He asked her to accompany him to the town.
(B) He asked her to accept the gifts he had brought for her.
(C) He promised her that the prince would choose her as his wife during the party.
(D) He asked for the directions to the town as he had lost his way.
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

2. What was the King’s intention in throwing a party in the town ?
(A) To please the rich landlords and ladies of the town.
(B) So that his only son could select a wife for himself.
(C) He was happy that his son had chosen Tattercoats as his wife.
(D) He wanted to visit the town as he had never visited it before.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

3. Why did Tattercoats cry even when the parrots offered to accompany her to the King’s party ?
(A) She did not have good clothes and shoes to wear for the occasion.
(B) She feared that her grandfather would punish her for attending the party.
(C) She had lost her way to the town on her way to the town.
(D) The lords and the ladies at the party had made fun of her appearance.
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

4. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
(A) The rich landlord finally forgave her granddaughter.
(B) Tattercoats always had a comfortable childhood since her grandfather was a wealthy landlord.
(C) A prince had asked Tattercoats for the way to the town.
(D) Tattercoats was never able to attend the party held by the King.
(E) All are true
Ans : (C)

5. What did the young man do when Tattercoats refused to accept the gifts ?
(A) He had to take the gifts back.
(B) He was impressed by her self respect and decided to marry her.
(C) He said that unless she accepts the gifts she would not be able to attend the party.
(D) He promised to buy more expensive gifts for her.
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

6. Why did the rich landlord swear never to see his granddaughter’s face ?
(A) He was upset that she had married the prince against his wish.
(B) He always wanted a grandson and not a granddaughter.
(C) He held her responsible for the death of his daughter.
(D) He was upset with her since she did not take good care of him.
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

7. How did the King react to his son’s decision to marry Tattercoats ?
(A) He was upset since his son had chosen her over the rich and wealthy ladies present in the party.
(B) He was very happy with his son’s decision and gladly welcomed Tattercoats.
(C) He was unhappy with the marriage as he had sworn never to see Tattercoats’s face in his life.
(D) He stared in amazement and laughed at his son’s choice.
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

8. Which of the following best describes Tattercoats ?
(A) Shrewed
(B) Manipulative
(C) Opportunist
(D) Clever
(E) Beautiful
Ans : (E)

9. Why did the rich landlord’s granddaughter become known as Tattercoats ?
(A) She was named so by her parents.
(B) Her grandfather named her so as he hated her and wanted her to be mocked around by the people
(C) She liked to play around with parrots who were her only companions
(D) She was always dressed in old and torn out clothes.
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

10. Which of the following statements regarding the prince is true ?
(A) He wanted to marry a rich and wealthy lady.
(B) He did not allow Tattercoats to attend the party hosted by the king.
(C) He made a joke of Tattercoats’ attire and condition
(D) A herd of parrots were his only friends in the whole world
(E) None of the above statements is true
Ans : (E)

Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. BITTERLY
(A) Tastelessly
(B) Intensely
(C) Rudely
(D) Eagerly
(E) Purposefully
Ans : (B)

12. ASTONISHED
(A) Happy
(B) Shocked
(C) Embarrassed
(D) Surprised
(E) Frightened
Ans : (D)

13. VOW
(A) Pledge
(B) Sacrifice
(C) Assurance
(D) Declaration
(E) Announcement
Ans : (A)

Directions—(Q. 14 –15) Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. SPLENDIDLY
(A) Wisely
(B) Unfairly
(C) Rudely
(D) Reluctantly
(E) Unimpressively
Ans : (E)

Miss World 2012 winner Wen Xia Yu (China PR)

Miss World 2012 is Wenxia YU from The Peoples Republic of China.

This is the second time Miss China has been awarded the title. The last time was in 2007 when Zhang Zilin took the honor.

The first runner-up is Sophie Elizabeth Moulds of Wales and the second runner-up is Jessica Michelle Kahawaty of Australia.

The 23-year-old Yu is a music student who says she wants to become a music teacher.

This is the first time for the Inner Mongolian city of Ordos to host the international beauty pageant.

The city is one of the richest regions in China thanks to its abundant natural resources. It hopes the world event will raise its profile for economic development and tourism.

Sanya, another Chinese city, has hosted the contest several times.

Rita Faria was the first Indian to bag the title in 1966, followed by Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000). China has already hosted the competition five times.

Miss World contest has several preliminary rounds, the winners of these major rounds of the pageant are:
1. Beach Fashion: Miss Wales
2. Talent Champion: Miss China
3. Top Model: Miss Sudan
4. Beauty with a Purpose: Miss India
5. Social Media Award: Miss India

Kaushik Basu appointed World Bank chief economist

The World Bank on 5 September, 2012 named Kaushik Basu as its chief economist, placing a candidate from an emerging market country in a key position at the global development lender.
Basu, who was most recently chief economic adviser to the government of India, is the World Bank's second chief economist from a developing country. He replaces Justin Lin, a citizen of China, whose term expired on June 1, 2012.

Basu, who holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, is on leave from his position as a professor of economics and international studies at Cornell University in New York. He previously founded the Centre for Development Economics at the Delhi School of Economics.

Emerging market countries have long pushed for more clout at the poverty-fighting World Bank and its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.

Starting from October, Basu will serve under new World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, a Korean-American and who took the helm of the World Bank two months ago.

List of World Bank Chief Economists
● Hollis B. Chenery — 1972–1982
● Anne Osborn Krueger — 1982–1986
● Stanley Fischer — 1988–1990
● Lawrence Summers — 1991–1993
● Michael Bruno — 1993–1996
● Joseph E. Stiglitz - 1997–2000
● Nicholas Stern - 2000–2003
● François Bourguignon — 2003–2007
● Justin Yifu Lin — June 2008– June 2012
● Martin Ravallion — June 2012- (Acting Chief Economist)