Indian Overseas Bank Clerk Exam., 2011(Held on 29-5-2011)
English Language : Solved Paper
Directions– (Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
Once upon a time, there was a shrewd shopkeeper called Makarand. He had a friend called Mihir, who had saved a lot of money. Mihir was keen on going on a pilgrimage, but he did not know where to leave his precious savings. So he came to Makarand's shop and said, "My friend, I trust you more than anyone. Could you please look after my life's savings till I return from my pilgrimage?" Makarand pretended to be deep in thought, and then said, "I would rather not. Money spoils relationships. What if something happens to your money while you are away? You will no longer be my friend.’’
As Mihir stood there by his shop thinking about what his friend had just said, an old woman entered the shop and bought some things. One of the boys helping Makarand, gave her less change than he should have. Maka-rand saw this and pretended to scold the boy, he then ordered him to return the remaining money to the woman. Mihir not knowing that this was an act put up by Makarand to make him believe that he was honest, was convinced about his decision and said to Makarand, "I have decided. I will leave the money only with you." Makarand smiled. "Then let us do something. Let's take the bag of coins and bury it in a place that only you and I will know of. That way, even if something happens to me while you are away, you will know where your money is."
Mihir, simple that he was, thought this was a good idea and the two went and hid the bag in a secret place. Mihir left the next day on his pilgrimage, happy his savings were in safe hands. Six months later, Mihir returned. He dumped his luggage at home and went to dig out his bag of savings. But even though he searched and searched for his valuables, there was no sign of the bag anywhere. In panic, he ran to Makarand, who was busy in his shop. When Mihir asked him about the bag, Makarand pretended to be surprised, "But I did not go that way in all these months. Why don't you search for it again ?" he said, putting on his most innocent look. Mihir had no choice but to believe him. Sadly, he went home.
On the way, as luck would have it, he met the old woman he had seen in Makarand's shop. Seeing him sad, she asked him what the matter was. Mihir told her the whole story .Then she smiled and whispered a plan to him. Not long after, the woman came to Makarand's shop, carrying a big box. "Brother, I heard you are a good and honest man. My son went on a pilgrimage many months ago and has still not returned. I am worried and have decided to go and look for him. Will you look after my box of two hundred gold coins while I am away ?"
Makarand could not believe his luck. He was about to launch into his idea about hiding the box, when an angry Mihir entered the shop, 'Where is …………' but before he could complete his sentence; Makarand, afraid of being accused in front of the old woman, said quickly, “I forgot. I had seen some pigs digging around there and had removed the bag just to keep it safe. Here it is.” And he handed Mihir the bag he had stolen many months ago.
Now, the old woman pretended she was seeing Mihir for the first time, "Son, did you also go on a pilgrimage? Could you tell me if you : met my son anywhere ? His name is ; Jahangir." Mihir, clutching onto his precious bag, said, "Yes, Auntie, I met him on the road a few villages r away. He was on his way to home. t He should be here in a week."
The old woman leaned over and took her box away from Makarand. "Thank you, brother, you have saved me an unnecessary trip. Now, I will need some money to prepare for my son's welcome," she added and the two left the shop. Makarand could only stare at them open-mouthed.
1. What incident in the passage convinced Mihir that Makarand was indeed an honest man ?
(a) The incident where he scolded his helper boy for returning less change to the old woman who was a customer in his shop.
(b) The fact that Makarand refused to keep Mihir's money, in the event that it might destroy their friendship.
(c) The incident where Makarand told Mihir that he had kept his bag with him as he saw pigs digging at the very spot where the treasure was buried.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Only (b) and (c)
(E) Only (a) and (c)
Ans : (A)
2. What was Makarand's real intention for wanting to bury Mihir's bag of valuables ?
(A) He wanted Mihir to know where the money would be in case something happened to him while Mihir was away
(B) He did not feel safe keeping Mihir's bag of valuables with him
(C) He wanted to steal the money while Mihir was away
(D) He wanted the pigs to dig out the bag so he could steal it
(E) He wanted to be a part of a far more adventurous plan
Ans : (C)
3. Where did Makarand and Mihir bury the bag of coins ?
(A) In a secret place in Mihir's garden
(B) In the ground under Makarand's shop
(C) In the old woman's backyard
(D) In his shop
(E) Not indicated in the passage
Ans : (E)
4. Which of the following is true with regard to Mihir ?
(A) Mihir accused Makarand of stealing his valuables
(B) Mihir helped the old woman find her son
(C) Mihir left his life's savings with the old woman
(D) Mihir trusted Makarand with his valuables
(E) Mihir strongly believed that keeping others' money spoilt relationships
Ans : (D)
5. Why did Mihir want to keep his life's savings with Makarand ?
(a) Makarand had a locker in his shop.
(b) He trusted his friend Makarand more than anyone else.
(c) He was scared that if he buried his savings, the pigs would dig it out.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Either (b) or (c)
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
6. Which of the following statements is false according to passage ?
(A) The old woman's son went on the same pilgrimage as Mihir
(B) The old woman helped Mihir recover his savings from Makarand
(C) Makarand was a very shrewd shopkeeper
(D) Mihir had gone away on a pilgrimage
(E) Makarand had stolen Mihir's money
Ans : (A)
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