Exam Details

Subject quantitative aptitude
Paper
Exam / Course po - probationary officers ( common written examination - cwe)
Department
Organization institute of banking personnel selection
Position probationary officer
Exam Date 2013
City, State ,


Question Paper

Directions (Q. Nos. 51-58) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions
given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you to locate them while
answering some of the questions.

The great fear in Asia a short while ago was that the region would suffer through the
wealth destruction already taking place in the U.S as a result of the financial crisis. Stock
markets tumbled as exports plunged and economic growth deteriorated. Lofty property
prices in China and elsewhere looked set to bust as credit tightened and buyers evaporated.
But with surprising speed, fear in Asia swung back to greed as the region shows signs of
recovery and property and stock prices are soaring in many parts of Asia. Why should this
sharp Asian turnaround be greeted with skepticism? Higher asset prices mean households
feel wealthier and better able to spend, which could further fuel the region's nascent
rebound. But just as easily, Asia could soon find itself saddled with overheated markets
similar to the U.S. housing market.

In short, the world has not changed, it has just moved placed. The incipient bubble is being
created by government policy. In response to the global credit crunch of 2008. Policy
makers in Asia I slashed interest rates and flooded financial sectors with cash in frantic
attempts to keep loans flowing and economies growing. These steps were logical for central
bankers striving to reverse a deepening economic crisis. But there is evidence that there is
too much easy money around. It's winding up in stocks and real estate, pushing prices up
too far and too fast for the undenying economic fundamentals. Much of the concern is
focused on China where government stimulus efforts have been large and effective, Money
in China has been especially easy to find. Aggregate new bank lending surged 201% in first
half of 2009 from the same period a year earlier, to nearly 51.1 turn on. Exuberance over a
quick recovery which was given a boost by China's surprisingly strong 7.9% GDP growth
in the second quarter has buoyed investor sentiment not just for stocks but also for real
estate.

Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan argued that bubbles could only
be recognised in hand sight. But investors who have been well schooled in the dangers of
bubbles over the past decade are increasingly wary that prices have risen too far and that
the slightest bit of negative, economic news could knock markets for a loop. These fears are
compounded by the possibility that Asia's central bankers will begin taking stops to shut
off the money. Rumours that Beijing was on the verge of tightening credit led to Shanghai
stocks plunging 5%. Yet many economists believe that, there is close to a zero possibility
that the Chinese government will do anything this year that constitutes tightening. And
without a major shift in thinking, the easy-money conditions will stay in place. In a global
economy that has produced more dramatic ups and downs than anyone thought possible
over the past two years. Asia may be neading for another disheartening plunge.

51. To which of the following has the author attributed the
2008 Asian financial crisis?

Reluctance or Asian governments to taper off the economic stimulus.
Greed of Asian investors causing them to trade 1 stocks of American companies at high
prices.
Inflated real estate prices in Asian countries.

None
Only
Only
and
Only

52. What does the author want to convey through the phrase
"The world has not changed it has just moved places"?

At present countries are more dependent on Asian economies than on the US economy
Economies have become interlinked on account of globalisation
Asian governments are implementing the same economic reforms as developed countries
All economies are susceptible to recession because of the state of the US economy
None of the above

53. Which of the following can be said about the Chinese
government's efforts to revive the economy?

These were largely unsuccessful as only the housing market improved
The governments only concern was to boost investor confidence in stocks
These efforts were ineffectual as-the economy recovered owing to the US market stabilising
These were appropriate and accomplished the goal of economic revival
They blindly imitated the economic reforms adopted by the US

54. Why do experts predict that Asian policymakers will not
withdraw fiscal stimulus?

The US economy is not likely to recover for a long time.
Stock markets are yet to regain their former levels.
Fear of revolt by greedy citizens.
None of these
Only
and
Only
and

55. What do the statistics about loans given by Chinese
banks in 2009 indicate?

There was hardly any demand for loans in 2008
The Chinese government has borrowed funds from the US
China will take longer than the US to recover from the economic crisis
The GDP of China was below expectations
None of the above

56. Why has investor confidence in the Chinese stock market been restored?

Existing property prices which are stable and affordable.
The government has decided to tighten credit.
Healthy growth of the economy indicated by GDP figures.

Only
and
All and
Only
None of these

57. What is the author's main objective in writing the
passage?

Illustrating that Asian economies are financially more sound than those of developed
countries
Disputing financial theories about how recessions can be predicted and avoided
Warning Asian countries about the dangers of favouring fast growth and profits over sound
economic-principles
Extolling China's incredible growth and urging other countries to emulate it
Advising governments about the changes in policy to strengthen economic fundamentals

58. Why does the author doubt the current resurgence of
Asian economics?


Their economies are too heavily reliant on the American economy which is yet to recover
Central banks have slashed interest rates too abruptly which is likely to cause stock markets
to crash
With their prevailing economic conditions they are at risk for a financial crisis
Their GDP has not grown significantly during the last financial year
None of the above


Directions (Q.Nos. 59-65) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions
given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you to locate them while
answering some of the questions.

Delays of several months in National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS)
wage payments and work sites where labourers have lost all hope of being paid at all have
become the norm in many states. How are workers who exist on the margins of subsistence
supposed to feed their families? Under the scheme, workers must be paid within 15 days,
failing which they are entitled, to compensation under the Payment of Wages Act upto
3000 per aggrieved worker. In reality, compensation is received in only a few isolated
instances. It is often argued by officials that the main reason for the delay is the inability of
banks and post offices to handle mass payments of NREGS wages. Though there is a grain
of truth in this, as a diagnosis it is misleading. The in the banking system has been
the result of the hasty switch to bank payments imposed by the Central Government
against the recommendation of the Central Employment Guarantee Council which
advocated a gradual transition starting with villages relatively close to the nearest bank.
However, delays are not confined solely to the banking system. Operational hurdles include
implementing agencies taking more than fifteen days to issue payment orders, viewing of
work measurement as a cumbersome process resulting in procrastination by the
engineering staff and non maintenance of muster rolls and job card etc. But behind these
delays lies a deeper and deliberate 'backlash' against the NREGS. With bank payments
making it much harder to embezzle NREGS funds, the programme is seen as a headache
by many government functionaries the workload has remained without the "inducements".
Slowing down wage payments is a convenient way of sabotaging the scheme because
workers will desert NREGS worksites.

The common sense solution advocated by the government is to adopt the business
correspondent model. Where in bank agents will go to villages to make cash payments and
duly record them on handheld, electronic devices. This solution is based on the wrong
diagnosis that distance separating villages from banks is the main issue. In order to
accelerate payments, clear timelines for every step of the payment process should be
incorporated into the system as Programme Officers often have no data on delays and
cannot exert due pressure to remedy the situation. Workers are both clueless and powerless
with no provision for them to air their grievances and seek redress. In drought affected
areas the system of piece rate work can be dispensed with where work measurement is not
completed within a week and wages may be paid on the basis of attendance. Buffer funds
can be provided to gram panchayats and post offices to avoid bottlenecks in the flow of
funds. Partial advances could also be considered provided wage payments are meticulously tracked. But failure to recognise problems and unwillingness to remedy them will remain major threats to the NREGS.


59. What impact have late wage payments had on NREGS
workers?

They cannot obtain employment till their dues are cleared
They have benefited from the compensation awarded to them
They have been unable to provide for their families
They have been ostracised by their families who depend on them for sustenance
None of the above

60. Which of the following factors has not been responsible for untimely payment of NREGS wages?

Communication delays between agencies implementing the scheme
Improper record keeping
Behind schedule release of payments by banks
Drought conditions prevalent in the country
Delays in work measurement

61. What has the outcome of disbursing NREGS wages
through banks been?

Theft of funds by administration officials responsible for the scheme has reduced
Increased work load for local government officials
Protests by workers who have to travel long distances to the nearest bank to claim their
wages
Time consuming formalities have to be completed by workers
None of the above

62. According to the passage, which of the following
has/have been the consequence of delayed wage
payments?

Compensation to victimised workers has amounted to crores.
Banks will no longer be entrusted with remitting wages.
Regulations to ensure punctual wage payments have come into force.

None of these
Only
and
and
and

63. To which of the following has the author attributed the
delay in wage payments?

Embezzlement of funds by corrupt bank staff
Lack of monitoring by the Central Employment Guarantee Council
An attempt to derail the NREGS by vested interests
Overworked bank staff deliberately delay payments to protest against extra work
Engineers efforts to wreck the NREGS because of low wages

64. Which of the following is NOT true in the context of the
passage?

Workers are reluctant to open bank accounts as branches are not conveniently located.
Local officials often delay wage payments in drought prone areas to benefit workers.
The Government has not implemented every recommendation of the Central Employment
Guarantee Council.

Only(B)
and
and and
All of these

65. Which of the following can be considered a deficiency in
the NREGS?

Lack of co-ordination among Programme Officers
Local officials are unaware of correct operational procedures
Workers have no means of obtaining redressal for untimely wage payments
Disbursing wages through banks instead of readily accessible post offices
The Central Employment Guarantee Council is reluctant to award compensation to workers
Directions (Q. No. 66-70) Rearrange the following sentences and into a
meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below it.
Moreover salaries in public sector enterprises are not as competitive as those offered by
private or foreign corporates.
This trend should be a wake up call for stakeholders to examine why employees are seeking
better opportunities with private companies in India and abroad.
Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) have been experiencing severe challenges in attracting
motivating and retaining their key staff.
Having identified these as the reasons employees leave PSEs it is important empower
stakeholders to find ways to remedy the situation.
One reason is that young employees lured away to private firms are more willing to
undertake professional risks.
Employees in specialist roles especially have become increasingly difficult to retain.

66. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence
after rearrangement?

A
B
C
D
E

67. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence
after rearrangement?

A
B
C
D
F

68. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
after rearrangement?

A
B
C
D
E

69. Which of the following should be FIFTH sentence after
rearrangement?

A
B
C
D
E

70. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH)
sentence after rearrangement?

A
B
C
D
E

Directions (Q. Nos. 71 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 have been suggested, one of which fills the blanks appropriately. Find out
the appropriate word in each case.
Traditional bank architecture is based on bank branches. These branches ensure the
physical of a customer's savings. A customer may go there to deposit and withdraw
money, loans and in other financial transactions. In the past two decades banking
architecture has changed the Automated Teller Machine has been a big and
credit and debit cards have created new financial spaces. the bank branch has
remained the bedrock of the banking system after all a person needs a bank account in a
branch before he can operate a debit or ATM card. This may be about to change as
technocrats now cell phones as the new architecture of virtual banks. This has the
potential to make branches Cell phone banking looks especially relevant for India,
since it can penetrate the countryside cheaply and The world over cell phones are
spreaing at a rate and in India alone new cell phone connection are growing at the rate
of six million a month a rate of customer that no bank can dream of.


71.

knowledge
security
presence
confidentiality
guarantee

72.

negotiate
advance
credit
disburse
sanction

73.

pursue
interact
operate
enable
engage

74.

drawback
hurdle
consequence
luxury
innovation

75.

Despite
Although
Even Yet
Until

76.

view
realise
display
engineer
assess

77.

essential obsolete
extant retreat
expired

78.

moderately
occasionally
compulsorily
indiscriminately
effectively

79.

phenomenal
gradual
proportionate
competitive
projected

80.

discount
base
expansion
satisfaction
relationship

Directions (Q. Nos. 81-85) Each question below has two blanks, each blank indicating that
something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank that best fits the
meaning of the sentence as a whole.

81. In an effort to provide for higher education to all, most of the universities have been providing education without adequate infrastructure, thus churning out graduates every year.

chances, fresh
platform, capable
opportunities, unemployable
prospects, eligible
policy, incompetent

82. The move to allow dumping of mercury an outcry from
residents of the area who that high levels of mercury will
affect their health and destroy ecologically sensitive forest
area.










resulted, insist
provoked, fear
incited, determined
activated, accept
angered, believe

83. Even as the elsewhere in the world are struggling to come
out of recession, Indian consumers are splurging on
consumer goods and to this growth, companies are investing
heavily in various sectors.

economies, meet
countries, inhibit
governments, measure
nations, inflict
companies, counter

84. Drawing attention to the pitfalls of solely on Uranium as
a fuel for nuclear reactors, Indian scientists warned that
Uranium will not last for long and thus research on Thorium
as its must be revived.

using, substitute
believing, replacement
depending, reserve
reckoning, option
relying, alternative

85. ............... has been taken against some wholesale drug
dealers for dealing in surgical items without a valid license
and maintaining a stock of drugs.

Note, overwhelming
Step, impressive
Execution, outdated
Action, expired
Lawsuit, invalid

Directions (Q. Nos. 86-90) Which of the phrases
and given below each statement should be placed in the
blank space provided so as to make a meaningful and
grammatically correct sentence? If none of the sentences is
appropriate, mark i.e./None of the above' as the answer.

86. Overlooking the fact that water scarcity intensifies
during summer, ...............

the government issued guidelines to all builders to limit their consumption to acceptable
limits
provision for rainwater harvesting has been made to aid irrigation in drought prone area
the water table did not improve even after receiving normal monsoon in the current year
many residential areas continue to use swimming pools, wasting large quantities water
None of the above

87. Refuting the rationale behind frequent agitations for
formation of separate states, a recent report ..................

proved that such agitations result in loss of governmental property
indicated that the formation of small states does not necessarily improve the economy
suggested that only large scale agitations have been effective in bringing out desired change
in the past
recommended dividing large states into smaller ones to improve governance
None of the above

88. Achieving equality for women is not only a laudable goal,
..................

political reforms are also neglected preventing women from entering legislatures and
positions of power
the problem is also deep rooted in the society and supported by it
their empowerment is purposefully hampered by people with vested interests in all sections
of the society
it is also equally difficult to achieve and maintain for a long term
None of the above

89. He has lost most of his life's earning in the stock market
but ...................

he still seems to be leading his life luxuriously and extravagantly
ha could not save enough to repay his enormous debts
stock market is not a safe option to invest money unless done with caution

experts have been suggesting to avoid investments in stock market because of its
unpredictable nature
None of the above

90. ............... or else they would not keep electing him year
after year.

The party leader gave a strong message to the mayor for improving his political style
Owing to numerous scandals against the mayor, he was told to resign from the post
immediately
The mayor threatened the residents against filing a complaint against him
The residents must really be impressed with the political style of their mayor
None of the above


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Subjects

  • computer knowledge
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  • general awareness
  • quantitative aptitude
  • reasoning