English Quiz For Clerk 2014 (IBPS, SBI Associate)

Directions (Q. 1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases in the passage are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

At the sight of Vidura, Yudhishthira anxiously inquired: "Why are you so cheerless? Is it well with all our relations in Hastinapura? Are the king and the princes well?"

Vidura acquainted him with his mission: "Everyone in Hastinapura is well. How fares it with you all? I have come to invite you on behalf of King Dhritarashtra to come and see the newly erected hall of games. A beautiful hall has been erected there even like yours. The king would like you to come with your brothers, see everything, have a game of dice and return to your capital."

Yudhishthira seemed to ask counsel of Vidura: "Wagering games create quarrels among Kshatriyas. A wise man will avoid them if he can. We are ever abiding by your advice. What would you have us do?"

Vidura replied: "Everyone is aware that the playing of dice is the root of many evils. I did my best to oppose this idea. Still the king has commanded me to invite you and I have come. You may do as you like." Despite this warning, Yudhishthira went to Hastinapura with his brothers and retinue.

It may be asked why the wise Yudhishthira responded to the invitation. Three reasons may be given. Men rush consciously on their ruin impelled by lust, gambling and drink. Yudhishthira was fond of gambling. The Kshatriya tradition made it a matter of etiquette and honour not to refuse an invitation to a game of dice.  There is a third reason too. True to the vow he took at the time, Vyasa had warned him of the quarrels that would arise leading to destruction of the race. Yudhishthira would not give any occasion for displeasure or complaint by refusing the invitation of Dhritarashtra. These causes conspired with his natural inclination to make Yudhishthira accept the invitation and go to Hastinapura. The Pandavas and their retinue stopped in the magnificent palace reserved for them. Yudhishthira rested on the day of arrival and, after the daily routine of duties, went to the hall of games the next morning.

After the exchange of customary greetings, Sakuni announced to Yudhishthira that the cloth for playing the game had been spread and invited him to it.

Yudhishthira at first said: "O king, gambling is bad. It is not through heroism or merit that one succeeds in a game of chance. Asita, Devala and other wise rishis who were well-versed in worldly affairs have declared that gambling should be avoided since it offers scope for deceit. They have also said that conquest in battle is the proper path for the Kshatriyas. You are not unaware of it." But a part of himself, weakened by addiction to gambling, was at war with his judgment and in his heart of hearts Yudhishthira desired to play. In his discussion with Sakuni, we see this inner conflict. The keen-witted Sakuni spotted this weakness at once and said: "What is wrong with the game? What, in fact, is a battle? What is even a discussion between Vedic scholars? The learned man wins victory over the ignorant. The better man wins in every case. It is just a test of strength or skill, that is all, and there is nothing wrong in it. As for the result, in every field of activity, the expert defeats the beginner, and that is what happens in a game of dice also. But if you are afraid, you need not play. But do not come out with this worn excuse of right and wrong."

Yudhishthira replied: "Well, who is to play with me?" Duryodhana said: "Mine is the responsibility for finding the stakes in the form of wealth and gems to play the game. My uncle Sakuni will actually cast the dice in my stead."

Yudhishthira had thought himself secure of defeating Duryodhana in play but Sakuni was a different matter, for Sakuni was a recognised expert. So he hesitated and said: "It is not, I think, customary for one man to play on behalf of another."

Sakuni retorted tauntingly: "I see that you are forging another excuse."

Yudhishthira flushed and, casting caution to the winds, replied: "Well, I shall play."

The hall was fully crowded. Drona, Kripa, Bhishma, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra were seated there. They knew that the game would end viciously and sat unhappily witnessing what they could not prevent. The assembled pr inces watched the game with  gr eat interest and enthusiasm.

1.  Why did Duryodhana ask Sakuni to cast the dice in his place?

1) Because Sakuni was interested in playing with

Yudhishthira.

2) Because Sakuni was honest in each of his throws.

3) Because Sakun i was a  recogn ised exper t in gambling.

4) Because Sakun i h ad  no min d  to defeat  th e

Pandavas.

5) None of these

2.  Despite th e war nin g given by Vidur a, wh y did Yudhishthira go to Hastinapur to play the dice match? 

(A) Because Yudhishthira was fond of gambling.

(B)  The Kshatriya tradition made it a matter of etiquette not to refuse an invitation to a game of dice.

(C)  Yudhishthira did not want to give any occasion for displeasure among his relatives.

1) Only (A) 2) Only (B)

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

5) Only (A) and (C)

3.  Why have rishis declared that gambling should be avoided?

1) Because it offers scope for drinking wine

2) Because it offers scope for deceit

3) Because it is a game which involves misbehaviour

4) Because it is a game which can lead to fight

5) None of these

4.  Why has gambling been described as bad and a game of chance by Yudhishthira?

(A) Because it is not through merit that one succeeds in a game of gambling.

(B)  Because it involves dishonesty.

(C)  Because it allows even slaves to be staked at.

1) Only (A) 2) Only (B) and (C)

3) Only (B) 4) Only (A) and (C)

5) Only (A) and (B)

5.  According to the passage, which of the following statements is not true?

1) The learned man wins over the ignorant.

2) Gambling brings in a lot of money and hence should be revered.

3) The better man wins in every case.

4) Gambling is a test of skill and strategy.

5) None of these

Directions (Q. 46-48): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

6.  Conspired

1) disagreed 2) neglected 3) colluded

4) promoted 5) advised

7.  Viciously

1) peacefully 2) kindly 3) cordially

4) horribly 5) roughly

8.  Hesitated

1) continued 2) stumbled 3) stayed

4) attacked 5) persisted

Directions (Q. 49-50): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.

9.  Conquest

1) surrender 2) annex 3) invade

4) takeover 5) overthrow

10.  Impelled

1) compelled 2) influenced

3) obliged 4) moved

5) discouraged

Answer :-

Q. 1 (3)	Q. 2 (4)	Q. 3 (2)	Q. 4 (5)	Q. 5 (2)
Q. 6 (3)	Q. 7 (4)	Q. 8 (2)	Q. 9 (1)	Q. 10 (5)