IBPS PO 2018: Prelims Question Paper Solutions | IBPS PO Mock Test Series 2024 & Past Year Papers - Bank Exams PDF Download

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Solutions 
 
S1. Ans.(b) 
Sol. There are four tenants of newspaper. One of the tenants is --- publishing at regular intervals. In option 
(b) the newspaper is being published once in a month and hence is a correct choice. 
 
S2. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect. Passage has mentioned that “the relation” follows all the condition 
but it was still debated therefore it can’t be false just because of allegation. Hence (a) was incorrect. 
Information on paper was distributed earlier too but was just difficult to distribute. Therefore (b) is also 
incorrect. Option (c) is not mentioned specifically. Option (d) is also inconclusive. 
 
S3. Ans.(b) 
Sol. Refer to the first few lines of the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “The first true newspapers arrived after 
Johannes Gutenberg introduced his movable type printing press to the European world around 1440”. 
Earlier mass distribution was impossible but due to the press the distribution became plausible. 
 
S4. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect except (e). Option (e) can be traced from the lines “The first English 
newspaper was published in 1665 in Oxford, England. Known as the Oxford Gazette, the newspaper moved 
to London in 1666 and was renamed the London Gazette.”  
 
S5. Ans.(e) 
Sol. Option (e) is the correct answer choice for the given word.      
Disseminating- spread (something, especially information) widely.  
Barb- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow 
 
S6. Ans.(b) 
Sol. option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced from the very first paragraph of the 
passage where it is stated as “However, disseminating news and information on paper presented 
significant challenges. When each copy had to be handwritten, mass distribution was impossible.” 
 
S7. Ans. (b) 
Sol. The tone of the sentence suggests that something happened in the 
past. The highlighted phrase has a Future tense which is erroneous.  
Among the given alternatives, the alternative (i) and (iii) imparts the 
correct grammatical tense to the sentence. Also note that, in this 
sentence, both Present Perfect tense and Simple Past tense can impart 
the correct tense to the sentence.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Economist Deena Khatkhate, who passed away at the age of 92 on 
September 15 in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, was an unusual man. ’ 
 
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Solutions 
 
S1. Ans.(b) 
Sol. There are four tenants of newspaper. One of the tenants is --- publishing at regular intervals. In option 
(b) the newspaper is being published once in a month and hence is a correct choice. 
 
S2. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect. Passage has mentioned that “the relation” follows all the condition 
but it was still debated therefore it can’t be false just because of allegation. Hence (a) was incorrect. 
Information on paper was distributed earlier too but was just difficult to distribute. Therefore (b) is also 
incorrect. Option (c) is not mentioned specifically. Option (d) is also inconclusive. 
 
S3. Ans.(b) 
Sol. Refer to the first few lines of the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “The first true newspapers arrived after 
Johannes Gutenberg introduced his movable type printing press to the European world around 1440”. 
Earlier mass distribution was impossible but due to the press the distribution became plausible. 
 
S4. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect except (e). Option (e) can be traced from the lines “The first English 
newspaper was published in 1665 in Oxford, England. Known as the Oxford Gazette, the newspaper moved 
to London in 1666 and was renamed the London Gazette.”  
 
S5. Ans.(e) 
Sol. Option (e) is the correct answer choice for the given word.      
Disseminating- spread (something, especially information) widely.  
Barb- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow 
 
S6. Ans.(b) 
Sol. option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced from the very first paragraph of the 
passage where it is stated as “However, disseminating news and information on paper presented 
significant challenges. When each copy had to be handwritten, mass distribution was impossible.” 
 
S7. Ans. (b) 
Sol. The tone of the sentence suggests that something happened in the 
past. The highlighted phrase has a Future tense which is erroneous.  
Among the given alternatives, the alternative (i) and (iii) imparts the 
correct grammatical tense to the sentence. Also note that, in this 
sentence, both Present Perfect tense and Simple Past tense can impart 
the correct tense to the sentence.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Economist Deena Khatkhate, who passed away at the age of 92 on 
September 15 in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, was an unusual man. ’ 
 
   
    
 
S8. Ans.(d) 
Sol. ‘Who hates’ is correct because for universal truth simple present is used. 
 
S9. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful and doesn’t require any 
correction.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (e).  
 
S10. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The phrase ‘neither one’ is considered singular. So, the usage of ‘are’ and ‘were’ is incorrect. The 
alternative (i) will make a grammatically incorrect and contextually meaningless sentence.  
Only alternative (ii) is the correct answer.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (c).  
 
S11. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Tailored’. ‘Alters’ which is a verb and it means ‘change in 
character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way’. However, the verb 
required here should be in its plural form, therefore ‘alters’ is incorrect. 
Tailored- make or adapt for a particular purpose or person. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice. 
 
S12. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Resolved’. Here, ‘Concludes’ ‘resolves’ are irrelevant as they 
are in the present tense while the verb required here should be in the past tense. Commence means 
beginning. 
Resolved- firmly determined to do something. Hence, option (a) is the most viable answer choice. 
 
S13. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Confident.’   
Confident- feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities or qualities. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually.  
Tentative means not certain or fixed; provisional. 
Hasten means be quick to do something. 
 
S14. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘cautious.’   
Cautious means (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. Option (a) (b) and (d) are 
opposite of the correct choice ‘meticulous.’  
Negligent means failing to take proper care over something. 
 
S15. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Mitigating.’   
Mitigating- make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful, all other options except (c) are the 
opposite of the correct choice to be filled i.e. ‘mitigating’ 
 
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Solutions 
 
S1. Ans.(b) 
Sol. There are four tenants of newspaper. One of the tenants is --- publishing at regular intervals. In option 
(b) the newspaper is being published once in a month and hence is a correct choice. 
 
S2. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect. Passage has mentioned that “the relation” follows all the condition 
but it was still debated therefore it can’t be false just because of allegation. Hence (a) was incorrect. 
Information on paper was distributed earlier too but was just difficult to distribute. Therefore (b) is also 
incorrect. Option (c) is not mentioned specifically. Option (d) is also inconclusive. 
 
S3. Ans.(b) 
Sol. Refer to the first few lines of the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “The first true newspapers arrived after 
Johannes Gutenberg introduced his movable type printing press to the European world around 1440”. 
Earlier mass distribution was impossible but due to the press the distribution became plausible. 
 
S4. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect except (e). Option (e) can be traced from the lines “The first English 
newspaper was published in 1665 in Oxford, England. Known as the Oxford Gazette, the newspaper moved 
to London in 1666 and was renamed the London Gazette.”  
 
S5. Ans.(e) 
Sol. Option (e) is the correct answer choice for the given word.      
Disseminating- spread (something, especially information) widely.  
Barb- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow 
 
S6. Ans.(b) 
Sol. option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced from the very first paragraph of the 
passage where it is stated as “However, disseminating news and information on paper presented 
significant challenges. When each copy had to be handwritten, mass distribution was impossible.” 
 
S7. Ans. (b) 
Sol. The tone of the sentence suggests that something happened in the 
past. The highlighted phrase has a Future tense which is erroneous.  
Among the given alternatives, the alternative (i) and (iii) imparts the 
correct grammatical tense to the sentence. Also note that, in this 
sentence, both Present Perfect tense and Simple Past tense can impart 
the correct tense to the sentence.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Economist Deena Khatkhate, who passed away at the age of 92 on 
September 15 in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, was an unusual man. ’ 
 
   
    
 
S8. Ans.(d) 
Sol. ‘Who hates’ is correct because for universal truth simple present is used. 
 
S9. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful and doesn’t require any 
correction.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (e).  
 
S10. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The phrase ‘neither one’ is considered singular. So, the usage of ‘are’ and ‘were’ is incorrect. The 
alternative (i) will make a grammatically incorrect and contextually meaningless sentence.  
Only alternative (ii) is the correct answer.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (c).  
 
S11. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Tailored’. ‘Alters’ which is a verb and it means ‘change in 
character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way’. However, the verb 
required here should be in its plural form, therefore ‘alters’ is incorrect. 
Tailored- make or adapt for a particular purpose or person. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice. 
 
S12. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Resolved’. Here, ‘Concludes’ ‘resolves’ are irrelevant as they 
are in the present tense while the verb required here should be in the past tense. Commence means 
beginning. 
Resolved- firmly determined to do something. Hence, option (a) is the most viable answer choice. 
 
S13. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Confident.’   
Confident- feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities or qualities. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually.  
Tentative means not certain or fixed; provisional. 
Hasten means be quick to do something. 
 
S14. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘cautious.’   
Cautious means (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. Option (a) (b) and (d) are 
opposite of the correct choice ‘meticulous.’  
Negligent means failing to take proper care over something. 
 
S15. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Mitigating.’   
Mitigating- make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful, all other options except (c) are the 
opposite of the correct choice to be filled i.e. ‘mitigating’ 
 
   
    
 
S16. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Reserved’   
Reserved- slow to reveal emotion or opinions, all the other options are either opposite to the correct word 
‘reserved’, or don’t frame a contextually correct sentence. 
 
S17. Ans. (b) 
Sol. To make the sentence meaningful, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required.  The phrases ‘Some 
American officials appear to hope’ and ‘sanctions on Iran will lead’ are more meaningful.  
(B) and (D) don’t require to be interchanged.  
Hence, the correct answer is the A-C, and the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Some American officials appear to hope that resumed sanctions on Iran will lead to a popular uprising.’ 
 
S18. Ans. (d) 
Sol. ‘Tariffs’ is a plural noun followed by ‘has’ which is incorrect. ‘China’ is also a noun but a singular noun 
and can be followed by ‘has’. So, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required. Moreover, a noun can only 
be interchanged with a noun, not a finite verb. Similarly, interchanging (B) and (D) would impart better 
meaning to the sentence.  
Hence, two interchanges are required: A-C and B-D.  
‘China has imposed higher tariffs on 603 items imported from the US.’ 
 
S19. Ans. (a) 
Sol. Turkey, which is a nation, could be a NATO ally, not the ‘world’, ‘journalists of number’ is a meaningless 
phrase. The correct phrase should be ‘number of jo u rn a l i st s’. So, an interchange between (A) and (B), and 
(C) and (D) is required.  
Hence, the correct answer is A-B and C-D, and the option (a) is the correct answer.  
‘NATO ally Turkey leads the world in the number of journalists jailed.’ 
 
S20. Ans. (c)  
Sol. Pathankot is a city inside Kashmir. Kashmir is not inside Pathankot. The given sentence suggests that 
as if Pathankot is inside Kashmir which is erroneous. An interchange between (B) and (D) is required. (A) 
and (C) are placed in correct positions.  
Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.  
‘In 2016, rising violence in Kashmir by Islamic militants culminated in attacks on Indian forces at Uri and 
Pathankot.’ 
 
S21. Ans. (c) 
Sol. Use ‘hidden’ in place of ‘hiding’ as in passive voice ‘To Be + third 
form of verb’ is used. 
 
S22. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The sentence is grammatically correct. 
 
S23. Ans. (d) 
Sol.  Use ‘for reducing’ in place of ‘for reduce’ because the verb coming 
after preposition ‘for’ should always be in fourth form of the verb. 
 
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Solutions 
 
S1. Ans.(b) 
Sol. There are four tenants of newspaper. One of the tenants is --- publishing at regular intervals. In option 
(b) the newspaper is being published once in a month and hence is a correct choice. 
 
S2. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect. Passage has mentioned that “the relation” follows all the condition 
but it was still debated therefore it can’t be false just because of allegation. Hence (a) was incorrect. 
Information on paper was distributed earlier too but was just difficult to distribute. Therefore (b) is also 
incorrect. Option (c) is not mentioned specifically. Option (d) is also inconclusive. 
 
S3. Ans.(b) 
Sol. Refer to the first few lines of the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “The first true newspapers arrived after 
Johannes Gutenberg introduced his movable type printing press to the European world around 1440”. 
Earlier mass distribution was impossible but due to the press the distribution became plausible. 
 
S4. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect except (e). Option (e) can be traced from the lines “The first English 
newspaper was published in 1665 in Oxford, England. Known as the Oxford Gazette, the newspaper moved 
to London in 1666 and was renamed the London Gazette.”  
 
S5. Ans.(e) 
Sol. Option (e) is the correct answer choice for the given word.      
Disseminating- spread (something, especially information) widely.  
Barb- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow 
 
S6. Ans.(b) 
Sol. option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced from the very first paragraph of the 
passage where it is stated as “However, disseminating news and information on paper presented 
significant challenges. When each copy had to be handwritten, mass distribution was impossible.” 
 
S7. Ans. (b) 
Sol. The tone of the sentence suggests that something happened in the 
past. The highlighted phrase has a Future tense which is erroneous.  
Among the given alternatives, the alternative (i) and (iii) imparts the 
correct grammatical tense to the sentence. Also note that, in this 
sentence, both Present Perfect tense and Simple Past tense can impart 
the correct tense to the sentence.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Economist Deena Khatkhate, who passed away at the age of 92 on 
September 15 in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, was an unusual man. ’ 
 
   
    
 
S8. Ans.(d) 
Sol. ‘Who hates’ is correct because for universal truth simple present is used. 
 
S9. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful and doesn’t require any 
correction.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (e).  
 
S10. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The phrase ‘neither one’ is considered singular. So, the usage of ‘are’ and ‘were’ is incorrect. The 
alternative (i) will make a grammatically incorrect and contextually meaningless sentence.  
Only alternative (ii) is the correct answer.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (c).  
 
S11. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Tailored’. ‘Alters’ which is a verb and it means ‘change in 
character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way’. However, the verb 
required here should be in its plural form, therefore ‘alters’ is incorrect. 
Tailored- make or adapt for a particular purpose or person. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice. 
 
S12. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Resolved’. Here, ‘Concludes’ ‘resolves’ are irrelevant as they 
are in the present tense while the verb required here should be in the past tense. Commence means 
beginning. 
Resolved- firmly determined to do something. Hence, option (a) is the most viable answer choice. 
 
S13. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Confident.’   
Confident- feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities or qualities. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually.  
Tentative means not certain or fixed; provisional. 
Hasten means be quick to do something. 
 
S14. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘cautious.’   
Cautious means (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. Option (a) (b) and (d) are 
opposite of the correct choice ‘meticulous.’  
Negligent means failing to take proper care over something. 
 
S15. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Mitigating.’   
Mitigating- make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful, all other options except (c) are the 
opposite of the correct choice to be filled i.e. ‘mitigating’ 
 
   
    
 
S16. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Reserved’   
Reserved- slow to reveal emotion or opinions, all the other options are either opposite to the correct word 
‘reserved’, or don’t frame a contextually correct sentence. 
 
S17. Ans. (b) 
Sol. To make the sentence meaningful, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required.  The phrases ‘Some 
American officials appear to hope’ and ‘sanctions on Iran will lead’ are more meaningful.  
(B) and (D) don’t require to be interchanged.  
Hence, the correct answer is the A-C, and the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Some American officials appear to hope that resumed sanctions on Iran will lead to a popular uprising.’ 
 
S18. Ans. (d) 
Sol. ‘Tariffs’ is a plural noun followed by ‘has’ which is incorrect. ‘China’ is also a noun but a singular noun 
and can be followed by ‘has’. So, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required. Moreover, a noun can only 
be interchanged with a noun, not a finite verb. Similarly, interchanging (B) and (D) would impart better 
meaning to the sentence.  
Hence, two interchanges are required: A-C and B-D.  
‘China has imposed higher tariffs on 603 items imported from the US.’ 
 
S19. Ans. (a) 
Sol. Turkey, which is a nation, could be a NATO ally, not the ‘world’, ‘journalists of number’ is a meaningless 
phrase. The correct phrase should be ‘number of jo u rn a l i st s’. So, an interchange between (A) and (B), and 
(C) and (D) is required.  
Hence, the correct answer is A-B and C-D, and the option (a) is the correct answer.  
‘NATO ally Turkey leads the world in the number of journalists jailed.’ 
 
S20. Ans. (c)  
Sol. Pathankot is a city inside Kashmir. Kashmir is not inside Pathankot. The given sentence suggests that 
as if Pathankot is inside Kashmir which is erroneous. An interchange between (B) and (D) is required. (A) 
and (C) are placed in correct positions.  
Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.  
‘In 2016, rising violence in Kashmir by Islamic militants culminated in attacks on Indian forces at Uri and 
Pathankot.’ 
 
S21. Ans. (c) 
Sol. Use ‘hidden’ in place of ‘hiding’ as in passive voice ‘To Be + third 
form of verb’ is used. 
 
S22. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The sentence is grammatically correct. 
 
S23. Ans. (d) 
Sol.  Use ‘for reducing’ in place of ‘for reduce’ because the verb coming 
after preposition ‘for’ should always be in fourth form of the verb. 
 
   
    
 
S24. Ans. (d) 
Sol. ‘had’ will be used in place of ‘have’ because words like ‘declined’ and ‘did’ infer that the sentence is in 
past. 
 
S25. Ans. (b) 
Sol. Outrun [verb]: go beyond or exceed.  
Among the given options, only ‘outrun’ appropriately fills the blank and is the correct answer.  
The usage of ‘begin’, ‘choose’ and ‘cut’ would make the sentence meaningless.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
 
S26. Ans. (b)  
Sol. The economist studied a Chinese travel agency and declares working from home a “future-looking 
technology” with “enormous potential”. It seems that the blank would be filled by an adverb.  
The tone of the sentence suggests that the economist was enthusiastic with the future-prospect of the 
Chinese travel agency.  
So, the correct adverb which could fill the blank is ‘enthusiastically’.  
Kindly note that the usage of ‘appropriately’ would be wrong because whether the assertion of the 
economist would be true isn’t still proved.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (b).  
 
S27. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The word ‘broad’ is an adjective. The blank seems to be filled by a noun.  
What can be drawn from findings? The word ‘Conclusions’, among the given options, is the most 
appropriate choice. Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.  
  
S28. Ans. (a) 
Sol. optimally [adverb] means ‘in the best or most favourable way’; 
A leader is someone who must manage and work with the employees under her/him. The chances of 
getting desired result increases when the working or professional relationship between leader and the 
employees is positive and favourable.  
Among the given options, the adverb ‘optimally’, upon filling the blank, makes the most sense while others 
don’t.  
Hence, the option (a) is the correct answer.  
 
S29. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The blank seems to be filled by a finite verb. What action did (or could) Bloom (Nicholas Bloom) take 
on China’s biggest travel agency, Ctrip? The economist studied the travel agency. Among the given options, 
the words ‘focus’ and ‘concentrates’ are the most relevant, but the option (e) ‘focused’ also satisfies the 
grammatical requirement of the sentence. The tense of the sentence should be Simple Past, not Simple 
Present. Hence, the correct answer is the option (e). 
 
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Solutions 
 
S1. Ans.(b) 
Sol. There are four tenants of newspaper. One of the tenants is --- publishing at regular intervals. In option 
(b) the newspaper is being published once in a month and hence is a correct choice. 
 
S2. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect. Passage has mentioned that “the relation” follows all the condition 
but it was still debated therefore it can’t be false just because of allegation. Hence (a) was incorrect. 
Information on paper was distributed earlier too but was just difficult to distribute. Therefore (b) is also 
incorrect. Option (c) is not mentioned specifically. Option (d) is also inconclusive. 
 
S3. Ans.(b) 
Sol. Refer to the first few lines of the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “The first true newspapers arrived after 
Johannes Gutenberg introduced his movable type printing press to the European world around 1440”. 
Earlier mass distribution was impossible but due to the press the distribution became plausible. 
 
S4. Ans.(e) 
Sol.  All the given options are incorrect except (e). Option (e) can be traced from the lines “The first English 
newspaper was published in 1665 in Oxford, England. Known as the Oxford Gazette, the newspaper moved 
to London in 1666 and was renamed the London Gazette.”  
 
S5. Ans.(e) 
Sol. Option (e) is the correct answer choice for the given word.      
Disseminating- spread (something, especially information) widely.  
Barb- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow 
 
S6. Ans.(b) 
Sol. option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced from the very first paragraph of the 
passage where it is stated as “However, disseminating news and information on paper presented 
significant challenges. When each copy had to be handwritten, mass distribution was impossible.” 
 
S7. Ans. (b) 
Sol. The tone of the sentence suggests that something happened in the 
past. The highlighted phrase has a Future tense which is erroneous.  
Among the given alternatives, the alternative (i) and (iii) imparts the 
correct grammatical tense to the sentence. Also note that, in this 
sentence, both Present Perfect tense and Simple Past tense can impart 
the correct tense to the sentence.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Economist Deena Khatkhate, who passed away at the age of 92 on 
September 15 in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, was an unusual man. ’ 
 
   
    
 
S8. Ans.(d) 
Sol. ‘Who hates’ is correct because for universal truth simple present is used. 
 
S9. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The given sentence is grammatically correct and contextually meaningful and doesn’t require any 
correction.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (e).  
 
S10. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The phrase ‘neither one’ is considered singular. So, the usage of ‘are’ and ‘were’ is incorrect. The 
alternative (i) will make a grammatically incorrect and contextually meaningless sentence.  
Only alternative (ii) is the correct answer.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (c).  
 
S11. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Tailored’. ‘Alters’ which is a verb and it means ‘change in 
character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way’. However, the verb 
required here should be in its plural form, therefore ‘alters’ is incorrect. 
Tailored- make or adapt for a particular purpose or person. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually. Hence, option (c) is the most suitable answer choice. 
 
S12. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Resolved’. Here, ‘Concludes’ ‘resolves’ are irrelevant as they 
are in the present tense while the verb required here should be in the past tense. Commence means 
beginning. 
Resolved- firmly determined to do something. Hence, option (a) is the most viable answer choice. 
 
S13. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Confident.’   
Confident- feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities or qualities. 
All other given options don’t fit contextually.  
Tentative means not certain or fixed; provisional. 
Hasten means be quick to do something. 
 
S14. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘cautious.’   
Cautious means (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. Option (a) (b) and (d) are 
opposite of the correct choice ‘meticulous.’  
Negligent means failing to take proper care over something. 
 
S15. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Mitigating.’   
Mitigating- make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful, all other options except (c) are the 
opposite of the correct choice to be filled i.e. ‘mitigating’ 
 
   
    
 
S16. Ans. (a) 
Sol. The appropriate word to be used here is ‘Reserved’   
Reserved- slow to reveal emotion or opinions, all the other options are either opposite to the correct word 
‘reserved’, or don’t frame a contextually correct sentence. 
 
S17. Ans. (b) 
Sol. To make the sentence meaningful, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required.  The phrases ‘Some 
American officials appear to hope’ and ‘sanctions on Iran will lead’ are more meaningful.  
(B) and (D) don’t require to be interchanged.  
Hence, the correct answer is the A-C, and the option (b) is the correct answer.  
‘Some American officials appear to hope that resumed sanctions on Iran will lead to a popular uprising.’ 
 
S18. Ans. (d) 
Sol. ‘Tariffs’ is a plural noun followed by ‘has’ which is incorrect. ‘China’ is also a noun but a singular noun 
and can be followed by ‘has’. So, an interchange between (A) and (C) is required. Moreover, a noun can only 
be interchanged with a noun, not a finite verb. Similarly, interchanging (B) and (D) would impart better 
meaning to the sentence.  
Hence, two interchanges are required: A-C and B-D.  
‘China has imposed higher tariffs on 603 items imported from the US.’ 
 
S19. Ans. (a) 
Sol. Turkey, which is a nation, could be a NATO ally, not the ‘world’, ‘journalists of number’ is a meaningless 
phrase. The correct phrase should be ‘number of jo u rn a l i st s’. So, an interchange between (A) and (B), and 
(C) and (D) is required.  
Hence, the correct answer is A-B and C-D, and the option (a) is the correct answer.  
‘NATO ally Turkey leads the world in the number of journalists jailed.’ 
 
S20. Ans. (c)  
Sol. Pathankot is a city inside Kashmir. Kashmir is not inside Pathankot. The given sentence suggests that 
as if Pathankot is inside Kashmir which is erroneous. An interchange between (B) and (D) is required. (A) 
and (C) are placed in correct positions.  
Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.  
‘In 2016, rising violence in Kashmir by Islamic militants culminated in attacks on Indian forces at Uri and 
Pathankot.’ 
 
S21. Ans. (c) 
Sol. Use ‘hidden’ in place of ‘hiding’ as in passive voice ‘To Be + third 
form of verb’ is used. 
 
S22. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The sentence is grammatically correct. 
 
S23. Ans. (d) 
Sol.  Use ‘for reducing’ in place of ‘for reduce’ because the verb coming 
after preposition ‘for’ should always be in fourth form of the verb. 
 
   
    
 
S24. Ans. (d) 
Sol. ‘had’ will be used in place of ‘have’ because words like ‘declined’ and ‘did’ infer that the sentence is in 
past. 
 
S25. Ans. (b) 
Sol. Outrun [verb]: go beyond or exceed.  
Among the given options, only ‘outrun’ appropriately fills the blank and is the correct answer.  
The usage of ‘begin’, ‘choose’ and ‘cut’ would make the sentence meaningless.  
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.  
 
S26. Ans. (b)  
Sol. The economist studied a Chinese travel agency and declares working from home a “future-looking 
technology” with “enormous potential”. It seems that the blank would be filled by an adverb.  
The tone of the sentence suggests that the economist was enthusiastic with the future-prospect of the 
Chinese travel agency.  
So, the correct adverb which could fill the blank is ‘enthusiastically’.  
Kindly note that the usage of ‘appropriately’ would be wrong because whether the assertion of the 
economist would be true isn’t still proved.  
Hence, the correct answer is the option (b).  
 
S27. Ans. (c) 
Sol. The word ‘broad’ is an adjective. The blank seems to be filled by a noun.  
What can be drawn from findings? The word ‘Conclusions’, among the given options, is the most 
appropriate choice. Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.  
  
S28. Ans. (a) 
Sol. optimally [adverb] means ‘in the best or most favourable way’; 
A leader is someone who must manage and work with the employees under her/him. The chances of 
getting desired result increases when the working or professional relationship between leader and the 
employees is positive and favourable.  
Among the given options, the adverb ‘optimally’, upon filling the blank, makes the most sense while others 
don’t.  
Hence, the option (a) is the correct answer.  
 
S29. Ans. (e) 
Sol. The blank seems to be filled by a finite verb. What action did (or could) Bloom (Nicholas Bloom) take 
on China’s biggest travel agency, Ctrip? The economist studied the travel agency. Among the given options, 
the words ‘focus’ and ‘concentrates’ are the most relevant, but the option (e) ‘focused’ also satisfies the 
grammatical requirement of the sentence. The tense of the sentence should be Simple Past, not Simple 
Present. Hence, the correct answer is the option (e). 
 
   
    
 
S30. Ans. (d)  
Sol. ‘Instituted’ [institute, verb] means ‘introduce or establish (a 
scheme, undertaking, or policy)’; 
The preceding sentence informs us that Ctrip wanted to expand while 
controlling office space costs. What should be the meaning of ‘remote 
work trial’? The context of the passage suggests that it means that 
instead of employee coming to office and completing their tasks, they 
would complete their task remotely, without coming to office, for 
example, ‘work from home’ etc. The company should have 
‘established’ such a policy. But the option (a) ‘establishes’ doesn’t 
satisfy the grammatical requirements imposed on the blank. The tense 
of the tense should be Simple Past, not Simple Present. The correct 
word which imparts the correct meaning and satisfies the 
grammatical requirements imposed on the blank is ‘ in st i t u t ed ’. 
Hence, the correct answer is the option (d).